Perhaps it’s just that time of the year. Spring is popping up in bits and pieces, but we all know that winter is not quite finished yet. Rosebuds are forming, the sun is staking it’s claim on the early evenings, and kids everywhere are bargaining for just five more minutes or one more story.
Perhaps it’s the anticipation of the changing seasons, perhaps not.
Whatever it is, parents everywhere seem to be experiencing the same problem:
Parenting déjà vu.
Wake up, make breakfast, get everyone dressed, get everyone out, run back in for some forgotten item, clean up, try ever so hard to sneak in a workout, pick everyone up, playplayplay, make dinner, bath time, readreadread, and off to bed we go.
On paper, it looks monotonous.
In practice, it’s anything but.
Although the days might look the same, there are always unexpected obstacles. There are always things that need doing and hands that need helping. There is always something that shakes up the day.
And yet we still feel it, this parenting déjà vu.
We feel it when we approach the carpool line. We feel it when we run through the grocery store, attempting to make a game of it. We feel it when we go through the motions as bedtime approaches.
Lately, I’ve made an effort to escape it.
Lately, I’ve been leaving the phone at home, saying yes to impromptu adventures, and planning less.
Lately, I’ve been teaching my kids to just go with the flow.
Routines are essential with young children. Structure helps children feel safe and in control of their little lives.
But déjà vu doesn’t do anybody any good.
Déjà vu leaves people feeling stuck and without purpose.
Déjà vu leaves people feeling lost.
Above all, I want my children to understand that getting the most out of each day doesn’t require big adventures to new places. While those days are fun, it’s the little things that matter most.
It’s digging for worms, riding bikes, and running down hills that bring us great joy. It’s loving each other, giving hugs and high fives, and complimenting one another that bring smiles to our faces. It’s being together that counts.
Together we are breaking the parenting déjà vu with ladybugs, popsicles just because, and dance parties in the kitchen. We are breaking the parenting déjà vu simply by being us. And we are loving every minute of it.
How do you break the cycle of parenting déjà vu?
Galit Breen
Thursday 15th of March 2012
I love this.
Every last little bit of it.
(Thank you for the beautifully told reminder.)
Practical Parenting
Thursday 15th of March 2012
Thanks, Galit :)