By Parenting in the Real World

Harnessing the Innocence of a Child

Mar 15, 2011 | 12:55 PM

I watched this morning as my 3 year old daughter expressed her excitement when she discovered that, while she slept last night, her dad came home from Alberta.

She was like a kid on Christmas morning coming down to see what Santa had left for her. She jumped on my husband and hugged him and kissed him while lovingly looking into his eyes with a perma grin on her face that expressed pride, joy and love that could only come from a child.

This experience reminded me of many times over the last couple weeks, for what ever reason, that I have noticed the innocence of my children and their unconditional love and appreciation for life and all the gifts that surround us everyday.

If only we, as adults, could view the world in such an innocent and unrestricted way. If only we could see through the eyes of a child. With the gratitude, amazement, exhilaration and trust of a child we could take on insurmountable challenges.

So I have thought to myself, – how can I harness some of that innocence and bliss? How can I learn from the little ones in my life and enjoy the ordinary things in life with such intensity?

Court

Cries of racism fill courtroom as judge stays impaired driving charge in Saskatoon

43m ago

Community support

The Hunger Games return to Prince Albert

3h ago

Raiders win 5-3

Defensive scoring leads Raiders over Wheat Kings

10h ago

My answer directed me back to myself and my self care.

As a mother of 5 I think it is fair to say that I put myself on the back burner quite a few times in life … like every day. As parents we tend to not take care of ourselves and when we have the opportunity, it is because a special occasion has occurred.

Well I am here today to say that everyday can be a special occasion and looking after me does not have to be earth shattering, it does not have to look drastically different than what already exists but it does have to include something for ME.

It does have to include stopping to smell the roses or enjoying the sun or watching the snow fall or frost glisten in the sunrise. It can be 10 minutes of reading, a bath (without little ones banging on the door or climbing in) reading a funny email, recognizing and listing what we are grateful for.

It can be marveling in the beauty of our children’s spirits or taking a walk in this newly and somewhat foreign warm weather. It can be as simple as stopping to take a deep breath and acknowledge that I am going to be ok.

What ever you choose to do to honor yourself I pray that you find peace amongst the chaos and Treasure amongst the rubble.

I pray that you find purpose amongst the daily tasks of living and busy schedules.

I pray for time for you to realize that your happiness is dependent on you and not the mood, success or actions of those around you.

Find time to do something you love, if only for a moment.