Remember When...

Parenting goals have been on my mind a lot lately.  My children's rapid maturity shocks me and often I think,

“Weren’t you just born? How are you so grown up already?” 

The time has surely flown by and just like you, I  wonder how to make the best of these long days but short years. 

Today, after cleaning out multiple closets and coming to the realization that I couldn't look at one more closet without going crazy, The Baby (who’s not really a baby at nearly four years old) hopped in the car and went to grab a few groceries. Then we spotted our favorite sweet spot-Dunkin’ Donuts and had to stop. She smiled ear to ear when her eyes caught sight of that large pink donut and giggled as she sank her teeth into its’ sugary goodness. Seeing her so happy made me miss the other two children at school.  I made a quick decision and asked,

“How ‘bout we pick your brother and sister up from school a little early and head to the park?”

Her tiny hands flew up toward her cheeks and said, ”Oh yes Mommy. I miss them. Let’s go!” 

Probably not the most sound parental decision I’ve ever made but that's what we did. Twenty minutes before the last bell would ring seemed alright this one time. And boy were they surprised. They played on the slides and climbed the play set until they were red faced and ready to go home.

As I sat on the bench watching them play, two words crossed my mind, "Remember when?” You know, as parents we often mess up ourselves. We do the best we can but sometimes we wake up grouchy, we let our anger get the best of us, we fight with our spouse. Basically, we sin. But to keep us on track, our goal should be that our children grow up saying, “Remember when?"  And not, “Remember when mommy and daddy messed up (insert negative behavior). Their memories should be so full of positive thoughts that the good outweigh the bad. Such positive memories that when they become parents themselves they’ll think, “I remember when Mom showed up at school 20 minutes early just to take us to a park. Gosh, she sure did love us.”  They'll pull into their own children's school parking lot and decide to repeat the memory once more.

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“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:” 

Proverbs 31:28

Thumbs up...or pointer fingers. Whatever works ; )

It was PJ Day at school!

All the happiness in the world with this one!

Sugary goodness and sweet smiles.

Remember when...