Sometimes I get bogged down by the details and challenges of parenting. The lists, the chores, the constant need for distraction and redirection. But now and then there are simply beautiful moments that pull me back to remembering the absolute blessing of parenthood.
Like the other day I saw the sweetest scene. My two year old was “reading” a book (which he had memorized) to my 4 year old – sitting on the stool I regularly use to read to him.
Don’t these kind of moments just melt your heart? They are the moments I realize, “Hey I’m doing okay. I should be thankful my kids are alive, they are healthy, they are learning, and they are feeling and showing love. Sure my house looks like a tornado has blown through, we have no fruit or milk in the house, and I haven’t even taken a shower and it’s 2pm… but it’s really going to be okay.”
When I try to remember to recognize the small acts of kindness I see throughout the day, and encourage them, I am filled with hope and gratitude. Seeing the good and focusing on it helps me be a better person, and a better parent.
Here are some of the acts of kindness I have seen in my home lately:
- Mr 4 offered to donate his precious plastic gem stone to charity.
- My youngest says, “No, fank you” most every time he does not want something.
- Mr 2 drew a two colored scribble with some circular motions and went to show it to big brother. Mr 4 said, “Whoa that looks like a tornado AND a hurricane combined, it’s the best one I’ve ever seen, good job!”
- My oldest offered to help me with cleaning, so that I can play sooner.
- I bumped my head while leaning in to get my two-year-old out of his carseat and said, “Ouch!” He reached up, patted my hair and said, “Rub it, feel happy.” I took him out of his carseat and he gave me a big hug and said, “Cuddles, I wub you.”
- My husband has done the dishes several times – without being asked to. He also gave me an afternoon off to go get my hair cut, has watched several “Call the Midwife” episodes with me, and has given me some great head massages when I have had headaches.
In realizing how much kindness is really going around my house, my outlook is more positive and I feel my cup is more full. I can give more and therefore my kids (and husband) also benefit.
It is a work in progress, but I am happy for the positivity in this moment. Recognizing and encouraging the acts of kindness helps me be more kind, as well.
What acts of kindness have you witnessed in your home recently? Does focusing on the good help you overlook the not-so-good?
On a side note, I am extremely honored to be included in an incredible list of bloggers who try to make a difference in the world. Find the post, with links to tons of great kindness projects and ideas for helping families show love to others, on Pennies Of Time here.
Such a beautiful post and your day sounds very similar. My son is at the ‘throwing tantrums’ stage and nappy change time is the worst. Recently he saw how upset I was because he was not cooperating at nappy change time, I got very frustrated and a little upset. He recognised this, stopped and gave me a big hug. He can’t talk yet, but I knew this was to say ‘I’m sorry mummy.’
Thanks for linking up for Mummy Mondays!
Aww so sweet thanks for sharing Eva 🙂
Thank you for sharing these sweet moments! My 21 months old son can only say about 25 words so far, but recently he started singing (with recognizable melodies of songs we sing a lot) – a few days ago he sang one of the songs with his own lyrics that melted my heart repeating “my mummy, my mummy, my mummy, my…” 🙂
Awww that is just gorgeous thanks for sharing 🙂
I love this post. I recently started keeping a “List of Good Things” that my 3 year old daughter does all day. When Daddy gets home, but when daughter is in the next room, I loudly read the list to Daddy. Planning to blog about it as well- it has really helped her AND me. Never thought to see the good that Hubby does as well, although I thank him regularly for everything. Great post, thanks for sharing it at MMM! 🙂
I love the “List of Good Things” idea!!! I will have to be on the lookout for it – sounds like such a lovely way to incorporate more positive thoughts and encouragement into the day 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing!
It can be so easy to focus on negative things. Thanks for sharing some of the positives (I love the description of a tornado and hurricane in one – so expressive!)
Yes that tornado and hurricane was pretty hilarious – kids can see pictures with such creative eyes 🙂
Just wanted to stop by and thank you for all the awesomeness you are putting out into the world to help parents and moms feel loved and find ways to be better and find peace with who they are. Thank you!
Aw this brought me such warm fuzzies, thanks Sheila – and right back at you. I’m SO inspired by your blog xx
Found you through Parenting Pin It Party. It is sometimes so easy to focus on the negative, thank you for this gentle reminder xx
Thanks for the kind note, Donna 🙂
Lovely post. We have a happiness jar in our house. Each day everyone notes down the one thing that they’ve felt happiest about in that day, then we pop it into the happiness jar and the plan is we’ll sit together as a family on New Year’s Eve and read out all the notes in the happiness jar. My four year old said today that he was thankful that we took him to a shop “with lots of furniture in it!” (Ikea) It really is the simple things.