Really, though, I already know don't need to do so much research and introspection. What does Dr. Spock say? "Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do"? This is not a science project, after all. It's so easy to forget that there is really only one person whose opinion matters in all this: Shae's.
She's the one I need to be asking, "Are you happy?" And I already know what her answer will be, when I ask that question: "Yes, Mommy! I am HAPPY!" And I know this much is true, of course, because there are some things that children take a long time to learn how to lie about. This should be all the validation I need.
There is a reason why "Hakuna Matata" is her favorite song, why she identifies so strongly with Winnie-ther-Pooh. Bother-free is, indeed, the way to be. Life is too short to not enjoy every second. Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, and all that. Right?
Until I figure out how to actually have no worries, though, I will just have to look at her smile, know that she means it, and let that be my visual Prozac. (It works better when applied directly to the heart, anyway.)
Just so you know kids are not always happy...like when they have to leave etc and she is just learning ...like you are you'll do wonderful love mom
ReplyDeleteSo, I know I don't have kids, (and undoubtedly this will change), but I like this philosophy, and I hope I can stand by it.
ReplyDeleteYou give your child a bed to sleep in, with a roof over her head, and AC in the summer and heat in the winter. You feed her good food every day, every meal. She has clean water to drink and bathe in. She has nice clothes to wear. She has 2 parents who don't do drugs, drink too much, don't abuse her in any way, and try their hardest to keep her safe and secure. She will have a good education. She will probably go to college and be trained for a good job so that she can go out into the world and do good.
This child is blessed in ways that she cannot comprehend.
So I think that if she's a picky eater, she potty trains a little late, or she isn't reading at the age of 4, that's probably ok.