The picture he drew re-lives the day I took them all to the doctor about two weeks ago. The wait was so long that I took them to the park nearby and to the library. His appreciation of that day reminds me of how little it takes to make our children happy. It's not the money we spend nor the gifts we shower them with. It's the experiences we share with them and it's the time we give them that they treasure the most.
Sure, they ask for material things like toys, games, etc. However, I can always seem to deflect these requests with a simple, "You don't need more toys. You have so much right now." And I feel I have accomplished teaching them about the values of contentment and appreciation for what they already have. Besides, they may only ask once a week for something and most of the time, it's not even direct. It's like, "I wish I had a DS," OR, "Why can't I have more Hot Wheels cars?"
But something they ask for everyday, in fact, numerous times a day, is my time and my attention. Now, that's not always easy to give when there's millions of things to do and all the children want your attention at the same time. It's a very good opportunity to teach "sharing". I can just imagine the mums at the boys' school who often have 4, 5, 6, even 10 children! I really take my hat off to them.
What I do have to remember, is that each time I do give them my undivided attention, I am bestowed upon the honour of witnessing (with much awe, I should add) my children develop, grow, or simply be happy. So, on this day that celebrates the patience, understanding, selflessness and unconditional love that mothers have for their children, I have found my favourite gift of all - it's being a MUM!
