Recently I read an article that just struck me. Not one of those aha moments but a life changing moment when I realized you never know when the “last time” may be.
Let me break this down a little. The last time you held you oldest did you really realize it was the last time? The last time they asked you to come console them for a night mare, did you realize it was the last time? The last time you took showers with them or had to bath them….did you think I am really enjoying this because its the last time?
Well of course not, were thinking I have to do the dishes, fold laundry, make dinner, run to this place, work….As mothers we are always on to what is next vs staying right in the moment and truly enjoying it for how special it is. It’s so easy in todays world to get sidetracked, overwhelmed, sucked into social media, instead of keeping your eyes on these tiny humans that are growing and changing every day right before our very eyes.
I started thinking back and for the life of me I can’t remember the last time I bathed him, napped by his side, or snuggled him to sleep. The last time I nursed my daughter, the last time she yelled with her cute little arms “I’m sooooo big.” All of these things that were just day to day activities were zoomed by and taken for granted. With my third child being my last it made me appreciate these small things. When I catch myself trying to rush bath, or beg him to go to sleep, or think that the 3 am bottle makes are horrible, I remind myself…This could be the last time. We will miss it. Dearly.
Think of it this way. Anxiety is worrying about something that has not happened yet. Constantly being so rushed to get on to the “next thing.” Depression is living in something which has happened in the past. Neither one of these two things can you control so staying present right where you are is where you have the control to make changes. You will be happier, healthier, your children will notice and though they may not recognize what has changed they will know in their hearts that you are right there in the moment with them.
How huge is this?
So today take the extra minute of snuggles, make that bottle with a pep in your step, let them splash and make a mess, because you don’t want to look back and not remember the last time.
xoxo