To stop and smell the roses

My son K inspires me to slow down and enjoy the moment.  K is a boy who does his own thing. He loves to play, create, build and snuggle.  You can't make him do anything he doesn't want to do no matter what the consequence may be.  If there isn't something in it for him he won't do it.  If he's in a mood he's in a mood.  A good mood, silly mood, bad mood - he will stay in that mood until he wants to change his mood.  He's a challenge but such a blessing in so many ways.

Most recently, when K comes home from school he is usually the last one in the house.  He will wonder the yard, coat unzipped, back pack hanging off of him.  He looks thoughtful most times.  It used to bug me that he'd take his dandy time getting in the house and settling in.  Also, it's cold in Minnesota this time of year.  I want him in the house where it's warm. But I've noticed he needs that time.  It's a transition time to him.  Besides, if I wanted K in the house, he'd still wander until he wanted to come in.  Once I started noticing this about K, I relaxed.  It is cold, and he'll come in when he's cold.   He only takes a couple minutes to wander around, but I love watching him do it.  Don't we all need some time to ourselves?  Well then why not a 6 year old.  How much he needs this!  Sitting in school all day long, following the rules and being quiet and more than likely doing a lot of what he'd rather not be doing.  He needs a few minutes to adjust and relax and just do his own thing.   After school is much more peaceful now too.

You'd think that with this being my third child in school, that I'd know this by now, but I'm no expert.  I'm still new to this parenting thing.  I'm always learning and growing, and each child is different.  Different personalities and character traits means each child has unique needs for them to thrive and be the happiest they can be.

By watching K enjoy some moments to himself, he's helped me let go of needing to move onto the next thing right away.  It doesn't hurt to take my time.  What needs getting done will get done and the rest can wait.  Sometimes I just need to take time and be in the moment.

I love you K.