Little Moments to Connect
I am sitting on the bench in the hall just outside of my daughter’s preschool room. It is one of my favorite times in the day because it is one of my most cherished moments to connect with her.
In a few minutes, my daughter comes running out of that door to give me a big hug. She then plops down next to me. She opens her backpack and brings out each paper filled with wobbly stick figures and art projects still wet with glue. Some days she tells me about them and other days she simply hands them over with pride.
This tradition was passed on to her by her brother. I held her in my arms as a toddler when her big brother would excitedly bring out every preschool paper and show it to us. Her brother taught her how to reconnect with us after preschool, and I enjoyed every moment of it. Every day, we were always the last to leave preschool. I didn’t mind, in fact, I was so thankful we didn’t have to rush off. We didn’t always have money for extra things since I became a stay at home mom, but I had plenty of time. I could give that freely to them. It is memories like this one that I still cherish today.
Finding Moments to Connect
On my daughter’s last day of preschool, I took a picture of that bench. It had become a special place for us. A place for us to connect, and I have come to recognize we have continued to make places and special moments to connect during our day. For it is in these little moments, that life is made and love is shared.
After School
Since our house sits back a long lane, I meet my children outside at the end of our drive. I actually find out the most about my children’s school days within the first few minutes they step off that school bus. My son’s routine has changed as he has grown. But my daughter’s remains the same, a hug and a walk to our home holding hands. This is when she usually tells me about her day. My son has started running to the house as soon as he gets off the bus, so I give him a hug inside. They eat snacks, and sometimes my son will talk about the day as he eats.
Mealtime
Suppertime is another time to connect. We typically all eat supper together at the table. When we don’t, it seems to throw off our whole evening. This is a great time for the kids to reconnect with my husband because he arrives home right before supper time.
Morning
One of my favorite moments to connect is when my children wake up in the morning. I give them a hug and a kiss whether I am getting them out of bed or greeting them in the hall. I try to make sure our first encounter is a pleasant one to start our day. Now that I am aware of this, I wait to prod them to get dressed. I no longer want to greet them by barking orders to get around.
What an amazing ritual this has become in our household! My children now expect it. Sometimes it is a quick hug with my older son, but other times he hugs me back and stays there for awhile. My daughter will seek me out in the morning now and simply lean up against me, expectantly waiting her hug. On the weekends, it is usually followed by cuddling up on my lap. What a wonderful way for us to start a day!
When are your opportunities to reconnect with loved ones? Do you greet each other kindly the first time you see each other in the morning? Daily little moments of connection with loved ones really does bring so much meaning and fulfillment to our relationships.
