Being Still: Lessons Learned from a Family Weekend
16May 9, 2012 by CassieCravings
mamacravings
Our world is focused on ladders. There is the career ladder, the social ladder, the ranking of your little one’s preschool, a Likert scale of stars judging your latest purchase on Amazon…While these ladders can be used to inspire, connect and to make the best purchase choice, they can also distract from what is important, such as not spending all one’s time on ladders.
One of my biggest fears as a mother (besides the obvious) is that I won’t take the time to sit still. I want to cherish the time that Eli is snuggling with me during cartoons and thinks that I am the funniest person in the world, besides his daddy. His daddy does a killer “Itsy Bitsy Spider”.
I have even scheduled “sit still” time in my planner. How ladder-like. However, I have found that there are days when scheduling a moment to breathe, enjoy and take account of how my little one has grown in just a day’s time is necessary.
Taking a moment to breathe and enjoy
This past weekend was one such scheduled time. While it didn’t have “sit still” penciled in, there was a colorful sticker with “Family Weekend” printed on it. Eli birthday present was concert tickets to his favorite band. We decided to make a weekend of it, but not to schedule anything but the concert and a visit to see my best friend (who lives close to our weekend destination).
Taking the time to sit still
We spend a good portion of our weekend reading books, snuggling, and just enjoying each other’s company. Eli and I took the time to chat, which can prove challenging with a two-year old. But I was shocked out how his language development has blossomed into mispronounced but reasonably follow-able and definitely delightful conversations.
enjoying some wonderful company
We played motorcycles. We counted the cars in the parking lot. We marveled at our view from the hotel window. We discussed colors and sang songs. It was one of my very favorite family vacations. It wasn’t fancy. It certainly won’t rank as the most exciting, well planned out, fun-packed weekend, but it was perfection. All because we took the time to sit still.
The view from our window at the hotel
I crave quiet, quality time with my baby boy.
mamacravings 
Great reminder! I don’t do this nearly enough!!
I don’t either. I sure do enjoy it when I take the time though. 🙂
So true, in a world that moves so quickly, stopping and enjoying is so important. I had to laugh that you pencil in some time!
haha! I laugh at myself for doing it. But I tend to get caught up in every thing else. And nothing is more motivating than some upcoming quiet time with the family 🙂
I liked your ladder list, never heard it stated like that before.
Thank you so much! I appreciate it.
Sounds like you’ve had an amazing weekend. You’re right it’s so important to ‘sit still’ and something I don’t do enough because there’s always ‘stuff’ to do. Thanks for the reminder. I love your beautiful photo’s!
Thank you! It was such a great weekend! We really enjoyed it. 🙂
This is precious. (Tear) Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much! It was such an enjoyable time with the husband and baby! 🙂
Remembered this post last night when dirty dishes were piled high, toys had taken over the living room, and laundry made it impossible to believe a tornado had not gone through my bedroom…instead I sat down and watched Cars with my little one until his bed-time. It would have been so easy to let him watch alone while I did housework. But I waited and started it after he went to bed. Thanks!
I have been there SO many times. I’ve even said to Eli, “If you will just watch one show, I could get a lot done.” Not that there’s anything wrong with sending the kid off to play or to watch one tv show, but I have to keep myself in check. I have to make sure that I am not putting him off simply because I want my checklist to look neat and completed.
Stunning photos! I know what you mean. Can you believe I feel guilty when Patience and I simply cuddle? I feel like I’m being a lazy mom or something. But those moments … sigh 🙂
Thank you!
I understand! I catch myself feeling guilty too. I have to remind myself that I get to do dishes and laundry the rest of my life. My little man is only little for a bit. 🙂
Great photos! And I’m glad you used the phrase “sitting still” because it reminded me of my own very literal struggle- I have a hard time actually sitting down to eat with my toddler! I give her food and then I often walk around cleaning up the kitchen and I eat standing up! Need to stop doing that.
Thank you!
I do the same thing. It’s easy to get caught up in the “have to” instead of enjoying the “get to”.