Hi friends,
Today I was reminded of one of the sweetest parts of this stage of motherhood: the little gifts our children give us when they play.
We went to a play studio we visit often, and my daughter kept calling me over. “Come here, Mama. Sit here.” She wanted me to have coffee with her. Or tea. It changes depending on the moment. 😂
She poured my pretend coffee, handed me my little cup, and wanted us to do cheers together. She just wanted me to sit there with her and enjoy that tiny little moment.
She does this all the time. She brings me coffee, milk, cheese, a cupcake – or, as she calls it in Portuguese, a bolinho. She pours things into my cup again and again. Sometimes we pretend we are grocery shopping, and she packs up her things, says, “Bye-bye, Mama,” walks away, and then comes right back.
And it is just the cutest thing.
But today it made me think about something deeper.
When our children ask us to sit down and have pretend coffee with them, they are really asking for us.
Our attention.
Our eyes on them.
Our laughter.
Our participation.
They want to be seen by us.
And I know how easy it is to be distracted. Sometimes we’re at a playdate and want to talk to another mom. Sometimes we’re thinking about everything we need to get done. Sometimes we’re physically there, but our minds are somewhere else.
But every once in a while, put everything down.
Drink the pretend coffee.
Eat the pretend cupcake.
Let them pour the tea for the tenth time.
Listen to whatever little story they are trying to tell you, even when half of it doesn’t make sense.
Because I want my daughters to grow up knowing that Mama listens. That Mama cares about what they have to say. That Mama enjoys being with them.
And goodness, this stage goes so fast.
I feel like I blinked, and my little girl is already getting closer and closer to three.
Everything else can wait sometimes.
The laundry can wait.
The phone can wait.
The conversation can wait.
Because life isn’t something we’re waiting to live later.
Life is happening right now.
So sit down. Have the pretend coffee. Clink the tiny cups.
And live it. 🤍
With love & grace,
Tay
