There are many things about pregnancy that just straight-up suck. You know what I’m talking about; the nighttime bathroom trips, feeling like crap all the time, limited clothing selections — the list goes on. But one thing that rules is that you don’t have to make any New Year’s resolutions about losing weight or eating right!
However, that doesn’t mean that I won’t be attempting to make some positive changes in my life. This year, I want to focus on one thing as a mom.
I want to be fully present for my daughter more often (and the little bun that’s still cooking in my oven)
Ask yourself: When was the last time you gave your child your undivided attention?
For me, it was the battle ax incident! But it’s obvious that was not a positive interaction that built up our relationship.
Children want quality time with their parents, and it’s in short supply. We live in a world where the average family has two working adults who sometimes have more than one job, a world where we are constantly distracted by technology and encouraged to have our children in a thousand activities to give them a competitive edge in their capitalist futures. When was the last time you sat down and just played with your kid?
Quality time with presence is not just good for your child — it’s good for you, too
After spending half an hour planning Buzz and Barbie’s wedding with my daughter, I felt good. Content. Happy, even. I didn’t miss anything important on my phone. The laundry could wait. I had the pleasure of spinning a story with my child, collaborating on a fairy tale together, and just being with her.
That’s a huge part of why we have kids, isn’t it? To be with them? To take joy in them? We sacrifice a lot to become parents — let’s use presence to access the joy of the experience. It’s better for everyone, and a way better New Year’s resolution than eating more salad.
