- I remember what it's like to want extra, extra whip cream on my hot chocolate...
- I remember what it's like to want dessert first and dinner second...
- I remember what it's like to fly down the hill, standing up on the pedals, and screaming into the wind...
- I remember what it's like to want breakfast for dinner...
- I remember what it's like to open a brand new box of crayons and open a brand new coloring book...
- I remember what it's like to make the whole batch of cookies yourself for the first time...
- I remember what my mother's hugs felt like...
I love not being grown up all the time. Of course with seven kids between us and our own business, Craig and I have a mountain of responsibility, and we take that seriously. We have a lot of stress too, and it can take its' toll on us, just like everyone else.
But somewhere in my early thirties, after going through some really stressful years, I decided I needed to get back in touch with the wonder and excitement that the simplest things can elicit in a child. It really wasn't difficult. I was on a mission to simplify my life anyway, (an ongoing mission) so I began to take each individual thing and look at it in its' simplest form, searching for the joy inherent in many of life's experiences, (especially where children are concerned). You read a lot about 'Embracing your Inner Child'. I decided to embrace my 'Outer Child'.
Instead of being the parent that pushed my children on the swing, I was the parent on the swing next to them, pumping like mad to keep up and whooping with joy when I got high enough to sail off and land giggling on my feet, triumphant.
Instead of sitting on the sand watching my babies play tag with the incoming surf, I romped right beside them, barefoot, screeching as the ice cold water lapped around my toes, surfing the wind, and embracing the moment in the moment.
Instead of just watching them shoot hoops, I 'braved up' and waded into their games of Horse and Round The World, laughing with them when I missed the easiest shots, asking for pointers, and cheering madly for myself when I unexpectedly sunk a difficult shot.
When Craig and I got together, I decided he needed a lot of 'kiddening up' too...
Instead of giving him a tool or socks or something practical for his 44th birthday last year, I gave my Sweetie a whole slew of Nerf guns and extra ammo. Toys. It took him about the time it takes to get the Nerf out of its' packaging for him to turn into a ten year old boy again and start chasing the 'other' kids around the house in pursuit of what turned into an all-out Nerf war! (The 'Other' kids have Nerf already). For Christmas this year, everyone got Nerf. Now these wars are part of most weekends when all the kids are here ~ Craig and I are right in the middle of it, leaving our responsibilities and stresses behind us as we strategize with our 'teams' about the best way to sink the opponents. It's hilarious! We giggle! We send out the little ones to gather up the opponents ammunition. We tackle each other behind the couch and laugh so hard that if our lieutenants weren't on the ball reloading for us, we'd be done for.
For the two of us, it's a time to see each other as we must have been when we were still kids, before all of life's experiences, and ups and downs turned us into serious, responsible adults. Our kids get to see us as 'kids' too and they will hopefully remember that it's ok, and in fact important, to always find time to PLAY in life!
I think a lot about what things I want to pass on to my children, what values. Embracing the OUTER CHILD is definitely at the top of my list!
