Read more of Ann’s contributions to AllMomDoes here.
I’ve been a nana for over nine years now and I am still amazed at how much I learn from my grandkids.
Recently, I spent time with the two youngest and once again they taught me more than I could ever teach them. Here are a few of their lessons:
- Give yourself a break. You can’t be perfect. Don’t even try. Make the messes and mistakes. Cry if you need to, maybe even yell a little, and then move on with life. Know that the people who matter will forgive you. That’s all that really matters.
- Go outside. If the weather is even marginally okay, go out and play. Stomp in a few mud puddles, dig in the dirt and throw a ball around. There’s something fantastically healing about being outside.
- Treat yourself. And, don’t feel guilty. Whether you grab a yummy food treat or get your nails done, treats are happy things and should be a part of every day.
- Give yourself a rest break. Naps are wonderful things, but if you can’t partake, draw with a new box of crayons, sip a favorite beverage from a special cup or just veg on the couch for an hour with your favorite show. Any small break can change your whole attitude.
- Live in the present. Why think about what happened yesterday or worry about tomorrow’s problems? Today is all that matters. This moment, right now, is full of wonder and joy. You’ll miss it if you’re not careful.
- Get over it. So your life is messy. Is it really as big a deal as you make it out to be? So many of life’s messes tend to get cleaned up before you’ve even finished worrying about them.
- Love the body you’re in. Big belly? Chubby legs? Roly-poly arms? So what? All that matters is that your body works, it gets you from here to there. Therefore, it’s magical. Cherish it.
- Use all your senses. Mud is meant to be squished between your toes. Soft blankets are supposed to be snuggled. Flowers are made for smelling. And, hugs are meant to be savored. Why do we dull our senses as we get older?
I look forward to more lessons from my grands. As we age, we tend to forget the things we learned in childhood. I’m blessed to have these sweet teachers in my life who remind me of what I’m missing out on.
What have you learned from your kids or grandkids?
