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Childhood is magical. It’s thinking that maybe your stuffed animals can talk to you. It’s wondering if you could take flight if you only jump high enough. It’s believing that eating your bread crust will give you the curly hair you want. It’s understanding that kissing a booboo really does make it all better. It’s finishing the day with dirty legs and feet because big play often requires a big mess. It’s seeing the good. It’s knowing that life is full of possibility.
It doesn’t come from Pinterest. It doesn’t come from shopping sprees for unneeded toys. It doesn’t come from expensive vacations.
As parents we aren’t required to create the magic.
It just is.
It’s beautiful and innocent and perfect without our help at all. All we have to do is let it be.
I refuse to let the world steal this magic from my babies. I will not stifle it. I will not quiet it. They will have their magic because allowing them to have it is a gift I can give to them.
This world moves fast. I can feel it clawing at my children trying to rush them forward.
They will be their age. I won’t rush them beyond it.
Age isn’t always what it used to be, is it? Five year olds sometimes dress like they’re thirteen. Thirteen year olds look sixteen. Sixteen year olds often act like they’re twenty-five. It makes me feel a little sick. What’s the hurry?
This doesn’t mean I don’t want my children to grow up. I celebrate and love who they are at every age. I do not long for them to be infants again. Their progression is a beautiful thing to see. Watching their eyes widen as some newfound knowledge blooms is one of the very best parts of motherhood. But I will do my best to see that it happens according to their timing and, most importantly, according to His timing.
I cannot prevent them from feeling sadness. I can’t stop someone from being unkind to them. But I can teach my children how to work through it. I can create an environment that allows them to enjoy their youth. And that I will do.
My son will be six in just a few weeks. He’s old enough to have had some experiences with the realities of this world. Sometimes he sees it on the news. Sometimes he hears things from friends that have him coming to me with questions. We discuss it all in love and honesty. We discuss it with the wisdom that our Lord provides me with for conversations such as these.
My daughter is still well protected in the happy cocoon of toddlerhood. Her biggest hurt is when I make her stop wearing her princess shoes long enough to take a nap.
I am their mama. They are my greatest joy and greatest responsibility. I will fiercely protect them. And when the harshness of the world creeps in, as it does, I will love them through it.
So move along, world. My children are busy playing, learning, and growing. They are busy digging in dirt. They are busy being cowboys. They are busy preparing me pretend food that they serve on Curious George plastic plates. They have no time for your cynicism. They have magic today.
Isn’t it wonderful to see them grow at every age?! My father always said children and animals are God’s wonderful gift to us!
“As parents we aren’t required to create the magic.
It just is.”
Perfectly stated. No elaboration needed.
Thank you, Brittany.
Love this. Beautiful, true and resonates with me deeply.
Oh I’m so glad, Abbie. Thank you.
all the yes!!!! they grow up fast enough as it is, let us allow them to enjoy the magic that is childhood before they’re made aware of the harsh realities of adulthood… plus, watching them revel in the magic makes the world a little sweeter for us older, more jaded folks (aka the parents)
You are so right – seeing their magic makes this world so much sweeter for us too. Thanks, Shaunacey!
Wonderful post, childhood is the best! Watching my child grow is so wonderful makes me miss those wonderful memories!
Love this! There’s so much pressure on moms to “make magic” when really we just need to sit back and marvel at how magical it already is!
I needed to read this, Christina! This was so beautifully written. I struggle with living in the present, as much I try not to. I am always looking forward to the next big thing, and then I panic when I realize how quickly my little baby is growing up. It happens all too fast, and all we can do is enjoy the moment and let them be! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Simple childhood is the most magical childhood we can give to our children. The world is too complicated and chaotic and they will plenty of their adult life to deal with it. Let them be kids, have fun and enjoy this time. Great post!
I have all the feels with this post! I love watching my little guy grow but at the same time I feel like each stage passes so quickly. Thank you for this beautiful post. It’s a great reminder to me to slow down and enjoy each stage and let my little guy be who he is.
Ok for real Christina! That last paragraph has me crying “So move along, world. My children are busy playing, learning, and growing. They are busy digging in dirt. They are busy being cowboys. They are busy preparing me pretend food that they serve on Curious George plastic plates. They have no time for your cynicism. They have magic today.” Wow. So So SOOO True! Love every word of this!