Friday, February 3, 2012

15 Years From Now...

Yesterday morning, as Aiden and I made our way from the bus stop to his school, we hopped over the cracks in the NYC sidewalks, trying our best not to step on them. But we did. A lot. And every time we stepped on a crack, we laughed. Loudly. And people looked at us like we were a little crazy. But we didn't pay too much attention to them. We simply said, "Oops! I stepped on another one!" More laughter. More smiling. More stares from onlookers. It was the best time ever!

This morning, we played that game again. It was even more fun than when we played yesterday. 

Then I got to thinking... this right here... is what this parenting thing is all about. Making memories. Happy, smiling, FUN, and lovely memories. 

{"silly rabbit, Trix are for kids"}
15 years from now, I want Aiden to have fond memories of his childhood with me. I don't want him to remember me as a busy bee mom who didn't have time to play with him. In fact, I don't even want him to remember that my career was demanding. Instead I want him to remember me sitting on the floor next to him putting together puzzles, or setting up his train tracks, or playing with his race cars. 

I want him to remember the books that I read to him, the funny facial expressions that I made, and my voice inflections. I want him to recall how I really, really got into the characters to engross him in the story. 

I want him to remember the times I pretended to be Batman or Superman. I want him to remember when I transformed into Flash (another Superhero, for those of you "Superhero Virgins") and ran all over our living room with him. 

I don't want him to remember how tired I was of how often I was tired. Instead, I want him to remember how we played hide and seek in our apartment. 

I want him to remember how I stayed with him at night until he fell asleep because he was afraid of the dark, not that I really, really wanted him to fall asleep so that I could tackle some work and get some writing done. 

I want him to remember that we chased after birds on the way to school. And jumped over the cracks in the NYC sidewalks. Not that I was watching my watch because we were late for school that morning as a result of me pressing the snooze button three times. (Oops!) 

I want him to remember the hugs and kisses and warm and fuzzy feelings. Not that I was constantly thinking of the tasks that I had to accomplish next. Too busy for hugs and kisses? Hmm... That's not the kind of mother that I want to be. 

I want him to remember how many times I put down what I was doing just to give him my full attention and watch him play. Just to teach him something. Just to tell him how proud I am of him (because I am) and how much of a blessing he is to me. And to the universe. 

{that's one fashionable kid}
I want him to know that he was put here for a purpose and I want him to pursue his passion and purpose. Boldly. 

So I'm mothering more consciously. More intentionally. And I'm jumping over the cracks in the sidewalks because that's what makes Aiden happy. Because when he's all grown up, I want him to look back and smile. And smile again. And know that he had the best childhood that I could provide for him.

What about you? What do you want your kids to remember 15 years from now? How are you working to help them achieve those memories. 

11 comments:

  1. Ahh, Aiden is so adorable and so well dressed too. To be able to laugh, play with one`s children must be a very delicious pleasure.
    I`m sure he`ll remember not only you in 15 years but the special memories you both shared.
    Be sur they are engraved in his mind forever. xx

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  2. aww this makes me said. Unfortunately I remember my mother as always being tired, breaking promises to play, etc etc etc.
    Glad your making an effort to make great memories.

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  3. He will definitely remember how fun and awesome you are! I love this post! :)

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  4. Great post! He is too adorable!

    ~Mrs. Delightful
    ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com

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  5. My dear, I applaud you for learning the importance of this early on. I feel the same as you do! I have been so emotional lately with my 17 year old constantly reminding me that next year she will be a senior and then she will go to college. Thank goodness I have been able to be there for all 3 kids in the way I have been blessed to. They truly appreciate all the little things when they are older. Trust me, nothing warms my heart more than listening to my girls chat about silly little things from when they were little. I looked at myself in the mirror this morning and discovered I have very fine smile lines on my face. Instead of freaking out like most women my age I embraced the beauty behind them... The laughter that is always abundant in my life because of my children.

    Aiden has one very special mommy, that's for sure! I am always so proud of you when you show how much you love him through your writing. Oh and YES, he is one fashionable little man! Love his cool outfits :-)

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  6. This is a good reminder that we all need to mother more "consciously," cuz i definitely want the boys to remember these types of fun, happy times, and not me always yelling and fussing because it's late and we all had a long day. Thanks for this.

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  7. Great post, I do have fun/fond memories with my mother and to this day they've been such a blessing to me! I am certain Aiden will have great memories with an awesome mommy like you.

    www.cultivatedchic.com

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  8. I love this post! It is really a challenge for us to be more conscious of how we spend time with our kids, even if we may solicit stares from jumping over cracks in the sidewalk!

    By the way, I love the way you dress your son!

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  9. What a touching post! You two have so much fun together. I hope my daughter knows 15 years from now how much she is loved! - Bicultural Mama

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  10. I love this post Alicia. It is so important to make sure our kids have a firm foundation to stand on, and that is mostly built from great moments/memories. You are a blessing to each other. You are learning from him as much as he from you...I know because my son is the "fifteen years later" to the day. He is a young man now and he has those memories and he loves his mama because of them. You are doing a great job and Aiden looks like a little model! That child has mad swagger.

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  11. great post :). You're right its the little things that matter! I want my son to have the best memories and for him to know I will always support him!

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