Monday, July 20, 2015

The things I want my daughters to remember

It happens sometimes, when I'm doing something, like muttering "f#ckit" when I'm frustrated, saying "aaaaargh" under my breath when I'm impatient, pouring a glass of wine at the end of the day, or reaching for another [and another] piece of chocolate, that I hear a voice inside my head saying, "they're watching, they're listening, they're remembering..."

Now I can't remember anything at all about being one year old.  I do remember bits and pieces of being almost-five-years old though.

These are the things I want my daughters to remember, when they think back on their childhood one day:

 ~ All the millions of hugs and kisses they get every day
 ~ How I tell them that they are beautiful every day
 ~ How I just stop and stare at them in awe and tell them they are wonderful
 ~ That we love to laugh and laugh and laugh
 ~ That their daddy and I love to hug and kiss each other and hold hands and sit close to each other
 ~ Reading books together, lots and lots of books, over and over again
 ~ That their daddy and I talk nicely to each other
 ~ That we relish special family time together
 ~ That we eat supper together at the table every night
 ~ How we put the music real loud and dance together and sing together
 ~ Picnics and tea parties
 ~ Movie nights in our pajamas
 ~ Special family holidays
 ~ Special times with Granny and Oupa, and Oumi and Oupi
 ~ Singing in the car
 ~ Morning snuggles and cuddles
 ~ Bedtime stories
 ~ Candlelit baths
 ~ That birthdays are special
 ~ How I tell them to just be themselves, because they're perfect just the way they are
 ~ How we tell them to be kind, honest and gentle
 ~ That we respect people, and pets, and belongings
 ~ Soft kisses on cheeks
 ~ Afternoon naps together
 ~ How much smiles and kind words mean
 ~ Asking them to choose what they would like to do that's lots of fun for them
 ~ Saying yes to random requests like "can we paint now" or "can we bake cookies now"
 ~ That friends are important but family comes first
 ~ That if anything ever makes them feel uncomfortable, they must just walk away
 ~ How we value communication


What wonderful memories we're trying to make for our two special girls...  Yet, how many times do I get it wrong, when I spend too much time looking at my phone, or when I tell them to "hang on, I just need to reply one email", or when I look at them with a look of frustration, or speak to them in too harsh a tone of voice...  And they remember those moments too...

Let's just hope that the good times override the bad!
xx

12 comments:

  1. Oh I miss those afternoon naps together.... Love your list

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    1. Thanks cat!
      Oh yes @ afternoon naps, blissful!!
      xx

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  2. Can identify. Love that quote as well.

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  3. I can totally relate! Thanks for sharing this. :)

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    Replies
    1. Glad it's normal! ;-)
      Thanks for popping in.
      xx

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  4. Replies
    1. Aw thanks, I like this list, good to sometimes remind ourselves of what we're doing right!
      xx

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  5. Replies
    1. Aw thanks Kim! Nice to see you here, have missed you on the blogs!!
      xx

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  6. Your daughters will absolutely remember all the lovely things, plus that they have the most awesome, inspiring and beautiful mommy ever! xx

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    Replies
    1. Aw thanks for beautiful words my special friend! ♥

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