We recently moved house and in the process uncovered a box of framed photos that had sat hidden away wrapped in paper in a moving box for a while. Actually that box had been sitting there since the move before this one. Yes we are terrible unpackers.
It was such a lovely surprise to open this box and see so many photos we had forgotten about.
We hung one of the frames which featured a number of different photos. All beautiful and silly moments of our kids when they were much younger. While I love seeing their little faces, walking past this frame every day has made me feel really melancholy lately.
I love my kids unconditionally and I can admit, like many parents I wished the time away when they were younger. I would often say to my husband, ‘it will be so much easier next year when they can put their own seatbelt on’, ‘it will be easier as soon as they can swim’, it will be easier when they won’t demand a song every night before bed’.
Now as I look at the images of those beautiful little people I miss them. And I realise that they are never ever coming back. Those little cheeks and those little sweet voices are gone forever and in their place are bigger people – almost teens. These bigger people rarely want hugs and scrunch up their nose in disgust when I sing to them. They are independent little adults and don’t need me anywhere near as much as when they were little.
I’m so glad we found that box because it has made me realise that even these present times with my pre-teens will be missed one day. Our children are ever changing and we need to savour each moment while we can. Times as a parent can definitely be hard and we can have days when we can wish we were that carefree person before kids (yes we are allowed to mourn that person too) but we only get one go at parenting. They are children for such a short time.
I got sent this list of ways to savour your children written by Erica Layne and thought I’d share the first 10 with you.
Layne, Erica (2017). 32 Ways to Savour Your Children While You Have Them
Retrieved from ericalayne.co
1. Watch them when they sleep.
2. Inhale them after they bathe.
3. Steal some extra time brushing your child’s hair. Keep on brushing it straight through the teen years.
4. Read the heartfelt things your kids write about you and let them sink in. (When our kids give us valentines or birthday cards, are we really taking their words in? It’s time to start.)
5. Break a personal parenting rule or two. I recently took my 3-year-old daughter to get a pedicure. I mean, she’s three! But as it turns out, it’s a memory I’ll savour for a long time.
6. Be silly. Sing at the top of your lungs in the car, dance in the grocery store, pull a harmless prank.
7. Let them climb into bed with you (sometimes).
8. Don’t round UP on their ages. Even if your child turns 7 in two months, keep thinking of him as 6. There’s no need to hurry childhood along, right?
9. Fill your home with photos of them.
10. Practice living simply so your mind is clearer, which—in my case—helps me experience more moments as they come.
We invited the beautiful mothers, daughters and granddaughters that make up the Earth and Skin team to share their stories on motherhood below.
Tiffany – Spa Therapist
My maternity journey started in a year where nothing made sense anymore and nothing was predictable. You came early and that was the first lesson you taught me. I can’t control everything and that’s okay. I trust my intuition more than all the maternity literature and blogs I have read and being your maman is the first thing I have done in life where I am not doubting myself. Who would have thought. I had never changed a nappy before yours. You bring love and laughter to everyone that meets you. And your light shines and brings hope all the way across the world to my mother land where you are so loved. Lyla Claire you have stole my heart in the way I never expected
Lucie – Client Services
Bec – Head Trainer & Spa Therapist
Emilee – Marketing Creative
There’s a million things I could thank my mum for, but I am going to pick a couple that I hope she knows I appreciate.
Stella – Spa Therapist
Being a mother to two small children certainly keeps my hands full. It allows me to enjoy love beyond measure, and an endless supply of laughter and cuddles. Motherhood has taught me the importance of being present, cherishing each moment, and finding the beauty and joy in the small things. I love reliving the magic of childhood through my kids experiences, they have the most inquisitive minds and come out with the funniest things. Becoming a mother has taught me self love too. I have never loved and appreciated my body so much. She has grown and nourished two incredible little humans and for that I am forever grateful and in awe.
Happy Mother’s Day and remember, this is your motherhood. You only get to do it once.
Earth and Skin is a Gold Coast organic day spa with a difference. We offer beauty treatments and products that are vegan, organic, chemical-free and free from animal cruelty. We have done the research into the safety and toxicity of common beauty rituals and have developed our menu based on the safest, most effective treatments available. If you’d love to experience beauty that cares for you and the Earth, we’d love to see you. Call now on 07 5530 7959 to book an appointment or book online.
