Tend To Your Wildflowers As They Bloom
Whether we see them or not, wildflowers bloom with each passing
year. They blanket uninhabited mountainsides with carpets of
beautiful color with each season. Our children bloom with new
attributes to their personalities with each passing day as
well--whether we take notice or not. Time has a funny way of
slipping away from us right under our noses, and we must be
careful not to miss out on the beauty of everyday. Sure, we all
have floors to clean, laundry to wash, bills to pay and running
around to do day after day. All the chores we do are for the
purpose of providing a safe and clean environment for our
families, but the more important task at hand is to take notice
of our children's emotional and spiritual needs. It's very easy
to get into a strict schedule--off to school, do chores in
between, home from school, homework, dinner, bath, and then bed.
Day after day we stick to our schedules and rely on things
remaining the same for the sake of sanity. Having a schedule is
wonderful; in fact it's a great way to provide stability for our
children. However, there are times when we need to break away
from our schedules; be free to have fun and spend time sharing
in our children's childlike spirit! Make time to enjoy your
children--play tea party, army men, board games or whatever
suits their fancy! Playing with your kids is not only fun for
them, but it's also relaxing for you. For a brief moment in
time, you're not the waitress, disciplinarian, dietician, or
taxi driver--you're just "ma" having a good time with your
children. Just this once, don't yell at the kids for running
down the hall laughing out loud because your favorite television
show is on--turn off the T.V. and run down the hall with them
and play a game or two of hide and go seek! Loosen the bun from
the back of your head and get some dirt under your fingernails
and dig for worms on a hot summer day; and then go rinse off
under the sprinkler with them, clothes and all!
I challenge you to have more fun being a parent and interact
with your child's playtime more often. Although it can be
difficult to manage a household, raise kids and take time for
yourself on a daily basis; you should enjoy your little
wildflowers while you can, for someday they will bloom into
adulthood and tend to their own wildflower gardens!