Three Things I Learned From My Three Year Old

By Hannah Lacy

1. A bad moment doesn’t have to mean a bad day

Motherhood is full of all kinds of highs and lows. The highest of highs and the lowest of lows. A low might look like losing it with your toddler because they are taking ten minutes to put their shoes on. Or they just scattered cracker crumbs all over the newly swept kitchen floor. Spilled water all over the outfit you just put on.

It is easy to let these moments of total frustration and exasperation quickly take over the rest of the day. But these are just moments, and though a day may hold more than one of them, a bad moment doesn’t have to mean a bad day.

2.   Time is a thief

It is easy to feel all the “immediate” needs of the days and weeks taking precedence over everything else. The dirty floors, the piles of laundry, the dirty dishes, grocery shopping, commitments. These can all feel like the most urgent task/priority in the heat of the moment.

I understand – we all have to feed our families, make sure they have clothes to wear, and show up for the things we said yes too. There will be a whole lifetime of “needs” – things that need our attention. But there won’t be a lifetime of littles needing us. As the saying goes “The days are long, but the years are short.”

3.   A little encouragement goes a long way

My son has a beautiful way of saying the sweetest things out of nowhere and surprising me. The other day during round two (the making of dinner, evening pick up) my son said “Mama, you’re a superhero.” I’m not sure what prompted him to say this, since I lacked the costume and cape. I was simultaneously microwaving one thing, cooking another, and washing dishes. Not feeling like a superhero, but it made me feel like I was doing something right.

Little people (or maybe it’s just mine) have a way of needing quite a bit of encouragement to complete a task, especially when it comes to picking up toys. While saying “Good job baby, there you go!” for what felt like the 100th time, my son said, “Thanks for being my mama.” To which I responded, “Thanks for being my baby.”

Mamas, as much I strive to be my son’s teacher, he is often the one teaching me. I would love to know what you’re learning from your kiddos!

Originally published HERE. 

Hannah Lacy is wife, mother, and storyteller based in TX. She has a passion for honest motherhood and simple living. She spends her days surrounded by messes and her boys. You can read more of her writing at Hannah’s blog, The Blessed Little Life.