Princess Mom

Whitney & I went to our recreation center the other night and we were jogging some laps around our indoor track. As we exercised together I read all the signs & rules about how to run on the track--jog in a single file line (not side-by-side), stay on the inside lane, only jog on the outside lane to pass etc... 

Whitney kept trying to jog at my side, and I kept telling her, "We gotta follow the rules!" "You can run in front of me or behind me!" And I was just being such a rule follower and not having much fun.

As I was jogging past a mother & daughter team walking (not following the single file rules!), I heard the mom bust out the most Disney-Princess-like laugh at her daughter. Right as I was about to roll my eyes at such a Snow White-sounding mother, I had the thought, "When was the last time I smiled/laughed/acted like a sweet Disney princess to my kids?" 

It was a sobering thought as I jogged the next few laps. I evaluated myself and my relationship with my kids. Sweet Whitney was probably just trying to spend some quality time with me around the track. I was being the wicked witch telling her what to do and practically pushing her away from being close to me. 

I've been trying to do better about finding more simple joys in my kids--laughing with them sincerely. Looking into their eyes to smile about whatever they're telling me. Not just a half-smile and then moving on to the next item on my list. Giggling with them over something I may think is mundane, but to them may be the center of their universe at that moment. 

I'm no where near the level of Cinderella & her buddies, but I notice that I'm much happier and not as witch-like when I do try and give my kids sincere attention, love, and laughter when we're together.