My "Baby"
When my children were small, it seemed like they always saved their worst behavior for when things got really busy. Right when I was rushing around, trying to get out the door or work on a project, someone would start an altercation that resulted in a lot of crying and finger pointing. Which would make someone fall down and hit their head and cry even harder.
And I remember the days of walking around with a child stuck to my leg like a barnacle. It might have been good exercise, but goodness! It's hard to move with a dead weight hanging on for dear life.
I was always trying to do "just one more thing" before sitting down to read a story, or watch Little Mermaid or applaud some new trick that someone came up with, like putting a straw in a tooth-gap or bending their fingers into claws.
Queen of the "Mmmmm-hhmmmm, that's nice," I figured out ways to keep them out of my hair for a "few more minutes" by responding without actually responding.
Moms HAVE to do this, or they will never get anything done. But Today's Small Thing is to set aside what you are doing for a few minutes and focus on your child. If you have more than one at home, you can pick one who could use some "Mommy" attention, or dole it out as you wish.
See, people always tell you to enjoy the time you have with little ones. Oh, sure, when they are blubbering about their socks wrinkling in their shoes, or whining about getting less juice than brother, you'd like to enjoy some time AWAY from them.
But the day does come when you will realize that you can't remember the last tantrum, or the last time you lifted someone into a booster seat or the last time you got to snuggle under a soft blanket with a sleepy child and a teddy bear. Your sippy cups will get dusty in a cupboard and you'll pull them out only occasionally, when someone visits you with a toddler. You'll enter your child's bedroom and wonder how he got to be so big in that bed.
You'll realize that the best moments came when you least expected them, and when they were least convenient. Sometimes they came when someone cried their head off until you rocked them, or simply sat on the edge of a bed and listened to her talk about which Princess Pony she liked best.
In the middle of the hustle and bustle, take a few minutes to enjoy your "baby," no matter how old he or she is. I'm going to make a point to talk about Flight Sim Add-ons with my 14 year old "baby" and admire those dimples that are more like creases in his cheeks. I've loved that boy so long, I know every inch of his face. I treasure him.
These are easy points today. Organizing and cleaning and cooking can wait for a few minutes while you breathe in the goodness, naughtiness and wonder of your baby. Today will only come once, so savor a moment of sweetness while you can.
POINTS: 40 for spending some time with your "baby."
If your babies are all grow'd up and gone, you can earn your points by calling or emailing instead. Even grown babies need their mama's love.
