Okay, so there are a ton of good things about being a stay at home mom (hello, no stuffy work wardrobe), but there is one truly great thing. I noticed yesterday (New year’s woohoo!) that my 16 month old ‘covered her sneeze’, that’s awesome, right?
The very same day my 4 year old ran to give me a hug/kiss before nap time. She was a little, let’s say exuberant about it and rammed me headfirst in the chin. I was really grateful that my teeth were not any closer together, or I would still be hurting. I would think after the number of times she’d done that before and hurt us that she’d figure out NOT to do that. My husband went down hard last year when she ran to give him a hug and her head was just at the right level to… well, let’s just say it took him a while to get up. We’re both glad she’s gotten a lot taller. She looked absolutely heartbroken that she’d hurt me. She’ll learn, though. Just like she learned to feel bad when she hurts someone. Empathy is a skill some people never learn.
Just like my toddler is repeating words, and learning that a shake means no and a nod means yes, that saying ‘manners’ means she should say please to ask for things, and reminding our 4 year old that she needs to use them, too. I’m right there, every day. I got to see them learn. All the sudden I realize that they’re doing something really cute, or special or amazing… and I’m right there, as they discover new things. I teach them, whether by rote, by example or by accident, I teach them. That’s my job, I’m not paid for it, there’s no credit, no thank yous, no accolades… but I’m there. I hope that years from now, I can come back and read this and say, ‘yeah, I remember that’… and be happy in my decision to be here, every day for all those smiles, hugs, learning moments, and yes even the headbutts.
Yep, you nailed it. I will never regret taking that SO SHORT time to be with my children as they grew up. It’s not just first steps and learning to talk, it’s first hugs and first tantrum and first time they ‘get’ a joke and when they learn to read and when they start asking questions about things in the world around them and exploring and…. well yeah. I know you already get it.
My babies are now 19 and 25. You can add a .5 to the end of both of those, since birthdays are in June. People say, “Oh time goes so fast after you have kids.” And you know what? They’re right.
I love it when they are learning empathy! I never hear of people who regret staying home with their kids 🙂