Why Does Childhood Go So Fast?
Childhood is fleeting and time is a thief. I can't tell you how many times I've heard, read, and typed these phrases myself while scrolling or posting pictures of my kids and others. We are blessed with the years we have with them and the memories created.
Where is Their Innocence?
In today's world is seems like technology strips away at those years even faster than previous generations. Society and social media and constant communication and information make it almost impossible for children to retain innocence.No matter how much we want to preserve the innocence of our children, we as parents, realize sometimes that's impossible.
But, sometimes I guess we get lucky, and our kids are able to retain their own levels of innocence that protects their little hearts.
I still move the elf!
My kids are 12 and 15, and I still move the elf. I'm not very good at it, as oftentimes, he gets "stuck" or "sick" or the weather is too "poor" for him to make it back to the north pole every night... but on those occasions I am reminded by my son that he didn't move.
We celebrate Christmas for the birth of Christ and don't do yearly trips to see Santa, yet the joy of giving and receiving has always been one of the best times of year for our family. The elf tradition simply added another layer of fun.
I can't say for sure how much true belief they have, but last night at a hockey game where Santa and Mrs. Claus attended, my son did not need to go see Santa as he said, "he knew he wasn't the real one," and held my hand a little tighter as we walked. Yes, he still holds my hand...
There are Still Good Kids Everywhere!
I know my kids are not rare. Good kids are not rare. I get to interact with so many good kids at school and in my home when my kids invite over their friends. My 15-year-old can spend an entire day with a friend and all of us, and neither one of them is on their phone. They simply enjoy hanging out together and interacting with us.
Doubt there is any magic ingredient or recipe we followed to have kids we continue to be proud of; I just think that there is a little kid in every kid, and we have to at least try to not let society steal it from them too fast.
I'm sure there is much more discussion, debate, worry, anxiety, and fears that all mothers and parents face. I could go on about the days with shouting matches, smart-ass comments, disobedience, and such, but today I chose to focus on a positive experience, as it was what filled my heart when I went to sleep last night.
And for that I was thankful.
