Snow Brought us Happiness

The little frozen fellow on the back of my daughter's car is my attempt at a snowman.  I thought I did very well for someone who isn't accustomed to the snow.  I did have a motive for getting out in the cold to craft my snowman.

Our part of the country only gets snow once a year if we're lucky.  We kept this snow for two days before it was almost gone.  It was the only snow of our winter season. 

But I digress....my daughter so badly wanted someone to go out and play in the snow.  She couldn't talk anyone into joining her and was at the point of tears.  For her, this was a big event that warranted up-close attention.  So, after seeing her fail over and over to talk anyone else into going out to play in the snow, I gave in and got myself bundled for the cold.

How many times do we ignore our children's attempts to draw us out of our preoccupation with daily life?  Children grow up so fast, or so it seems.  It is to our advantage that we allow them to help us stay young-at-heart.  Yet we fight their attempts at even the simplest requests.  School is important.  Chores are as well.  Bookwork, errands, responsibilities.....all important.  But is spending time with your child on your list of priorities or on your list of "things I might make time for"?

I gave my daughter my cooperation, spent maybe an hour outside with her, threw a few snowballs, and was done.  She was satisfied.  What did I lose?  Nothing, except a guilty conscience.  I wouldn't have gotten any more accomplished by staying inside and foolishly pretending all else was more important than her.  Everything I needed to do was still there waiting for me.  What I gained was another loving and fun memory, my daughter's happiness, and much needed distraction.  After playing outside in the snow with my child, I actually was able to get more accomplished than before.  I was energized.  The temporary fun was just what I had needed, and I hadn't even known it.  My tension was gone.  My thoughts were clear.  I felt refreshed.

Maybe you have an older child, like I do, and you think your child really doesn't even like you anymore because of the teenage monster invasion.  When my daughter develops the "disease", so to speak, I tease her.  We've learned to laugh about the teenage monster who sometimes takes the place of her normally positive attitude.  But all you have to do is something the child can relate to, something of the child's interest.  It's not about you.  It's about giving of yourself to one of the most important people in your life.  Learn to recognize when you brush off your child, and you may be surprised at how often it happens.

So maybe you normally don't like the snow, so what?  Will it hurt you to open your mind, resist your fuddy-duddy attitude, and jump outside for a temporary romp with your child?  It doesn't have to be snow.  It could be playing with the water hose on a warm day.  Let a little time bring you happiness like the snow brought it to us.