RSS
Home
Message to busy moms: stop and appreciate your children!
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Last weekend, my husband pulled out a pile of old camcorder videos. On the labels were handwritten 
memories like “First Bath” and “Playtime.” Since the weather outside was ridiculously hot, our entire family spent the day watching baby videos. What can I say? I had an epiphany.
Like most of us these days, I am a busy mom, with two children, who works out of a home office. In addition to writing this column, I run a public relations and marketing business as well as host a weekly radio show. I stay at home to “be there” for my kids, but I must admit there have been days I wished they were out of the house…at a friend’s, in daycare, camp, whatever, just so I could get things done. How many times I was in the middle of writing an important document or responding to emails when my daughter would pull at me to play with her or my son would whine that he’s hungry. “Not now!” I’d bark. As much as I love my children, I began to take them for granted and would get easily annoyed.
Then I watched those videos. I was brought back to a time when my babies were just that…babies. As I viewed my son’s birth, I was reminded of his tiny, helpless form, and his BIG dark eyes. Once again, I was a new mom, and I fell in love all over again. I watched as a sweet, innocent 2-year old tyke excitedly attended Ventura County’s “Touch-a-Truck” Day, marveling at the wonders of his brand new world. Gently, he brushed the side of a helicopter and cooed, “Nice helicopter.” Tears were streaming down my face. I hugged my now rough-and-tumble 7-year old. Of course, he was perplexed. “What’s wrong, mom? I’m right here,” he questioned. How could I respond to that?
Then I was reliving the birth of my daughter, watching her grow from a quiet infant to a beautiful and precocious pre-schooler who loves princesses and Hannah Montana. From the start, she beamed for the camera and bounced excitedly whenever it was pointed in her direction. I grabbed her, too, and gave her a hug.
Has my life style changed? No, I am still very busy, but I no longer take the kids for granted and appreciate having them around. I find it touching that they’ll camp out next to me to play with a pile of toys while I work. They treasure the closeness and so do I.
It’s not a cliché to say “they grow up too fast,” and "they won’t be around forever". So, if there’s ever a time when you feel your kids are driving you to the brink, I recommend reminiscing over old videos and photos. The experience might just rock your world!
Has anyone else out there had a similar experience? I'd love to hear from you.
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
