The Little Things

I was picking up my oldest from preschool and as we were walking back to my car, I overheard a mother and daughter behind me in conversation.  It was the typical conversation of “what did you do in school today?” except this mom’s daughter responded.  Mine, on the other hand, does not talk about what her day is like, whether she liked it or not.

But, I’ve snuck glimpses of her through the cracks in the old, and much needed to be replaced fence of the school yard, and witnessed her having a great time, jumping and laughing and playing nicely with her classmates so I am fairly confident that she does indeed enjoy her time at school regardless of the power struggles I put up with in the morning.

As we are walking, I was careful to avoid puddles that have collected on the ground from last night’s thundershower.  But not my child.  The bigger the puddle, the more enticing it was for her to stomp on it with all her might, sending bits of mud and water spraying on her backpack and within a one foot perimeter around her.  The mother behind me, on the other hand, was quick to steer her 3 year old away from the messy delight and it really made me think back of when I was a child.

I was brought up to enjoy the outside regardless of what Mother Nature decided to do for that day.  Be it thundershowers, hurricanes or winter blizzards…. It was always acceptable to be outside within earshot of course.  (However, looking back, I also realize that my mother enjoyed our time outside more just as much as we did so she can have some piece and quiet.)

Yes, I’m a mom that lets her kid splash through puddles while they are wearing new shoes and white socks.  It’s not that I don’t care or am too lazy to stop her.  Even amid the glares from other parents because I’m sure they are thinking I am setting a bad example, my kid will eventually grow up and not find these pleasures in the simple things.  So, her socks will be a little wet and tonight I’ll have to scrub her new sneakers.  In the grand scheme of things, it’s not that big of a deal.  Aside from making sure your child is healthy and safe, I strongly believe it’s also these little acts of pleasure that we take for granted that really mold the people that they will become.

So, before you stop your toddler from jumping with all her might in the puddle in the store parking lot, take a moment, and just jump in with her.  Yeah, you’ll get stares and you may look like a fool.  But to your kid, you’re a hero.