The Joys of Staying Home
In the Midwest, winter=staying home more often, doesn’t it? Do you find that in your life as well? But in a way, it’s maybe not all half bad!
It is so easy to rush through life, going from this to that, leaving us to wonder where the time has gone?
My goal in parenting is to not ever find myself wishing a timeframe back, in the sense that I felt I didn’t do enough, reflect enough, or cherish enough. I’m sure that it will happen, but I’m thankful to say that I haven’t felt that way; yet. Of course I watch old videos, look through our photo albums, and go through the whole “remember when…” but I haven’t ever felt that I “missed” out. That I didn’t cherish enough.
How about you? Are you so busy in life that you find yourself wondering some of those things? That the kids are growing up too fast? Indeed, they will grow up too fast. As much as we want to freeze time, it can’t be frozen. So we might as well embrace them as they are and love them where we are at.
Some of the longest, but most memorable days, are those that we stay home. I’m not talking about the stay-at-home vs. working mom. I’m talking about just staying home when we have the chance. But do we…stay home from all errands, say no to all activities, and say yes to creativity at home? And I’ll be the first to admit that it’d be a whole lot easier to go run out and do something, but in the end, I don’t want to spend more money, but only create memories. And sometimes it means being intentional while just staying HOME.
For us, the day usually starts off slow. Mazy watches her favorite shows and eventually by oh, about 10, she eats breakfast. She is VERY unlike her mother who LOVES breakfast, but such is life! Then we get ready for the day and that’s when the creativity begins.
Mazy’s mind just runs absolutely wild when we choose to stay home. I have had the best cuddle moments when we have chosen to stay home. I’ve had the best laughs with her, when we chose to just stay home. And yes, by the end of the day, we sure have a whole lot to pick up, but boy is it worth it!
I have seen zoos created, pet shelters set up, dog kennels, “new” recipes made with play food, doggie treats made out of playdoh, houses and forts built, rocks and pictures painted, stores set up, games played, and oh, SO much more, all while staying at home.
The chance to make a meal together. The chance to bake together. The chance to sit down and have a snack together. All little joys that will one day dissipate. The day is coming when Mazy will be going to school and it is just around the corner. And as I think about those days drawing near, I can’t help but desire to maximize our days together. And indeed, one day she will move out.
I know it is not something that every mother can do – stay at home with their child. So please know that I am not saying that one way is right or wrong, for ALL of these things can be done at ANY time of the day!
The point I’m trying to make is that I want to create in our home a place of belonging for Mazy. A place where she WANTS to be. Oh what joy it brings my heart when she says “Mom, can we just go home?” Yes child, yes we can.
Parenting is not always easy and there are days when 6:00 rolls around and whew, I’m whipped. And sometimes it’s 4:00. And sometimes it’s 10:00am and you wonder how in the world you’ll get through? But as long as I can lay my head on my pillow that night and come to the conclusion that I did the best I did, well, that’s what I can thank and praise God for. For giving me the strength to do what I could and the GRACE when it wasn’t always easy.
How about you my friend? Do you look forward to those days at home or wonder how in the world you are going to get through them? Have you thought about the impact they might have on your child? Yes, kids get bored. But let them get bored and see what they do with it! You may just see the most interesting creation come about, all because you chose to stay home!
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