My BK is a typical toddler when it comes to how easily she can become distracted. Getting out of the car, anywhere we go is painfully slow. It would be easier if she would let me reach over and pick her up from the car seat, but she’s three, and that means her independence is bigger than she actually is. And sometimes I get so caught up in being in a hurry and rushing around, because I think I always have to be busy, that I get hasty with her.
Yesterday, as I was getting her out of the car at Publix and she was trying to do a million other things I caught myself telling her to hurry. Hurry and do what? I’m not sure, see I’ve glroified the idea of being busy. I make a to-do list with a million and twelve things and push myself to the limits trying to get them all accomplished. And for what? That, I’m not sure about.
Sure, some days there are real reasons to be busy, deadlines to meet and arrival times that should be kept.
But, I’m afraid one day, when BK is doing her own thing, when she’s off with friends while I go grocery shopping and she isn’t my errand buddy on a daily basis, I’m going to miss this. I’m going to look over and see a younger version of myself unloading a toddler from the car, and I’ll wish it were me.
Wish I had given her a little more patience.
Wish I had given her a little more time to ask me a million questions.
Wish I had let her go as slow as she wanted to, to point out every single car that looked like mine in the parking lot (because that’s what she likes to do).
Because sometimes these bad days that we talk about as mothers, are due to our haste.
If I think about our days, I mean really think about those days, I’m afraid I push us both too far sometimes. I fail to slow down, fail to live in the moment, because I’m always focused on the next moment. And it seems that maybe, I might slow down in the next moment, but it never ends. Does it?
It doesn’t, and that’s okay. I like being busy, I like having things to do, people to see, places to go. But, do you know what I like more, what I love?
Tucking her curls behind her ears while she lays on my lap and watches a movie.
Saying prayers with her at bedtime, listening to her talk to Jesus about every person we know.
Telling me stories about her imaginary friends, and what she’s going to do when she grows up “big and strong.”
I said all of that to say, I have chosen to be in a constant state of busy, for entirely too long. Busy with the things that can wait. Isn’t it time to give some of that up? To relax a bit and take in these moments, take in the quiet and the stillness. I don’t know about you, but even the sound of that warms my heart a bit. I want to make it my purpose to say, nothing is more precious than now, the next time I’m worried about the things that need to be done.
The grocery store isn’t going anywhere, even Hobby Lobby can wait. The dishes may stay in the sink a little longer, I made need to turn the dryer on an extra 10 minutes to get the wrinkles out of the clothes. For the rest of my life, I’ll have to-do lists and deadlines. I’ll have dirty clothes and supper to cook.
I won’t always have a toddler tugging me up the stairs to dress up like a princess, or wanting to cook me soup in her play kitchen, that time is now. 
This is so true! Such a sweet post and great reminder! I just wrote a post the other day about how “this too shall pass” and when we say that, it’s usually associated with the not so great times, but it’s so important to remember that the sweet times will pass in the blink of an eye as well =)
It made me giggle when I read how long it takes her to get out of the car, because Amelia is the same way. She has at least 14 things she wants to carry through the store. Or at least put in the shopping cart to push through the store. 🙂 I find myself doing the same and telling her to “hurry.”
Thank you for this reminder! My days with them are precious and will be gone way before I want them to be.
You are exactly right about BOTH things!! *Nothing* is more precious than now AND we as a society have definitely glorified the state of “being busy”! I’m guilty of the same and truly, it just become exhausting! So glad you shared this today as I think we all need the reminder that everything that we think we “must” accomplish today {like the long to-do list I just wrote up} really isn’t all that important when compared to being present with our little ones. And I’m with you —- I know that someday I will look over at a younger version of myself with her mini in tow and really, really miss these days.
Hope you and BK have a great day …. she’s lucky to have such a good momma!! 🙂
Perfectly said Jen. Perfectly said. I am so guilty of this as well…but we had our own little moment last night where I just thought ‘he’s dadgum near perfect’ and I lose my patience so easily with him. But it’s all because of me. I want nothing more than to just BE with him. THings go so much more smoothly when I do that. This time is so precious. Thank you for the reminder!
So so true and well said!! Long days but short years ~ having a 12 year old and a 2 year old has given me great insight to how FAST these years of them being little fly by. I love the thought “nothing is more precious than now” ~ a great thing to remind myself of when general busyness makes me want to skip putting that puzzle together with him or reading that one more book to him! Such a great post!
It’s a good reminder, and one we’ll all need over and over. 🙂
This is a great reminder Jennifer. I often fall victim to being “busy” and it is true that we should just enjoy the moments. Some nights I get home from work and Andrew wants nothing but for me to hold him or play outside with him and sometimes I’m so focused on cooking dinner, doing dishes, etc. that I forget to enjoy those moments with him!
Posts like these are what make me love to read your blog.
“Because sometimes these bad days that we talk about as mothers, are due to our haste.”- SO true!
I have to remind myself to slow down a lot, too. Our babies won’t be babies for long.
Babies do not keep. It’s so hard to keep this in mind most days! But we as mothers are deserving of more grace, as we always say. Love this post, Jen! Thank you!
Great reminder! Thanks for the post – having my first in September and I need to remember to slow down once he comes and take it all in 🙂
Soak it in girl! This is such a fun age!!
This is so very true! Those days seem long at the time, but now I look back and wonder how it all took place so quickly. Living in the moment is truly important and your children will always remember the things you did with them for the rest of their lives.
Enjoy these days and savor every moment. Because one day you will wake up and that sweet little 3 year old will be 26 with a little one of her own. You will always be my little girl. Love, Mom
Thank you. I needed this today!
Great reminder – we all need to slow down and enjoy the small things. Life is so busy that sometimes we need the reminder. I hope you are enjoying your summer break from school and all the quality time w/ BK.
I’m so caught up in moments like this all the time. I’m constantly telling Carsyn we got to hurry. And she doesn’t get it..and I think why should she? She’s not even 3 yet. And love her heart she’s actually trying to hurry.
Of course our girls aren’t perfect but isn’t this just the best age?? So glad I have blogs like yours to read to remind me to slow down, enjoy, and be grateful!