Don’t we sometimes feel that, in this day and age, all of us have some difficulty slowing down, having a proper break, paying more attention and enjoying the little things?
We often talk about how little stresses add up
For working parents, we wake up tired after a broken night’s sleep. Then sometimes we start our day with a blocked sink, or a child screaming because we forgot to buy their favourite yoghurt. Then you’re late for work because of roadworks and traffic, and you feel guilty because your boss may think you made it all up.
For our children, they are under constant pressure to perform and complete work that they may not even have been taught properly. They can get told off or find it difficult to work because of other students’ disruptions. And instead of learning, sometimes the majority of the time is spent managing behaviours. Let alone the friendship issues, when children are increasingly divided into groups and some are left alone because they don’t have the same toys or simply don’t fit in.
Little joys can add up too
Perhaps one way we can cope with the constant demands and stresses of life is to learn to take our time, notice and enjoy the little things, and add more joy to our everyday lives. And if we can do it, we can inspire our children to slow down and find joy in simply being present and enjoying the little things in life.
They don’t need another dumpling squishy to feel happy, another Realism hoodie, or another party. How about noticing the change of seasons together? Spring is coming. Can you see the first blossom on a plum tree? How about a quick but tight hug before they run off to their friends? How about a quiet story together before bed, or just a beautiful tune playing in the car? Or simply being together at the dining table and sharing the highs and lows of our day?
“Mum, this story has no plot”
The other day, my daughter came home and complained about a story her granddad was reading to them. It was about a young boy who enjoyed being in the garden and playing with his chicken. “Mum, the story has no plot. It’s just a boy playing with his chicken.” She complained and I laughed.
Do we always need a plot, drama, excitement, problems and solutions in a story? Maybe a boy playing happily with his chicken is enough. Maybe watching a bird outside the window is enough. Maybe sitting beside Grandpa while he tells you what school was like when he was young is enough.