Tuesday, January 13, 2015

The Word Of 2015

Around New Year's, they have been popping up everywhere: the words that were to be the motto of the author for the coming year. I actually did not plan on hopping on the band waggon until one night I was meditating on what makes a good childhood.

Blame it on Pinterest or my inherent perfectionism, probably both, but I found myself wound up in trying to create a "perfect childhood" for our children (and for the records: failing miserably!!) that I forgot that it's not a perfect childhood that will define them later as adults, but a HAPPY childhood.

When I remember my childhood, I think of my mom spending the days before the holidays cleaning. I remember one instance where I asked if she would play a game with us, but she responded that she had to clean the house and we should just play with each other (it needs to be added that our home was always spotless and the "deep cleaning" before the holidays was by no means needed).

But then, I also remember birthdays that were by no means Pinterest-worthy. There were no theme, no perfectly-decorated princess cakes, no hand-crafted give-away bags, no hired clown or organized trasure hunt, but all my cousins, aunts uncles, and a couple of friends having good old-fashioned fun.

This made me think about how kids actually need and want their childhood to be. How they want their parents and their homes to be. If it's necessary to maintain a spotless home at all times or if it is more important to THEM to turn a planned cleaning session into an afternoon of playing games with them.  If it's really important how perfect (or not) their cake looks before they eat it, or if it's more important with whom they share their cake.

Therefore, I have picked one word that I want to define this coming year for our family:

http://www.theminimalists.com/files/2011/03/Happiness-Hands1.jpg
Source

8 comments:

  1. I love this! I wish you nothing but an amazing 2015 my friend!

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    1. Thank you so much, dear Jen! Wishing you and Kyle the very same for this year!!

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  2. I love your word, Stephanie! Happy is definitely what I remember from childhood (and my Mom was an avid cleaner, too!), pretty much nothing else. I remember great times together, snuggles with my Mom and special things we did together for times like New Year's Eve.
    You're doing it right, my friend - no worries!

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    1. Thanks a ton, Lisa! I, too, remember lots of cuddles, family vacations, and fun with the family. All I hope for the kids when they grow up is remembering loads and loads of happy times and not so much an ever-cleaning mom :-)

      PS: Night-cleaning sucks!!!

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  3. Aww, I love it and I truly hope for all things happy in your life this year for both you and your family!! :)

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    1. Thank you so much, Janine! I wish the very same to you and your beautiful family!!

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    1. Thanks so much, Pinky!! Something tells me it's going to be fun implementing more happiness in our lives :-)

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