During our east coast road trip a while back, we stopped by the Cherating beach to stretch our legs and get a glimpse of the beautiful beach before continuing on our journey ahead....the kids were soo excited to see the beach!
Alyssa asked permission if it was ok for her to get her clothes wet.
After a moment's hesitation, I nodded. Beaming from ear to ear, she jumped into the splashing waves and within seconds, she was fully soaked. Soon after, her little brother followed suit. And there they were, fully clothed, splashing happily into the salty waters. I could only watch in horror and knock myself on the head for CONSENTING them to mess up their lovely attire.
Honestly speaking, I didn't think the kids would go further than getting their little toes wet. Or else I would have taken the trouble of changing them into their swimsuits first. But I was totally wrong. The damage was done.
I wanted to get them to stop. But then again, I decided not to.
I reflected upon a heart-wrenching article written by a mother who tragically and unexpectedly lost her toddler in a car accident.
She begged all parents to let their kids just live in the moment.
Little reminders like for instance it's ok if the kids sometimes don't finish up the veggies on their dinner plates.
She reminded other parents not to yell out their frustration at their small kids for not living up to that ridiculously perfect expectation that we adult have unfairly imposed upon our little ones.
She reminded other parents not to yell out their frustration at their small kids for not living up to that ridiculously perfect expectation that we adult have unfairly imposed upon our little ones.
Little things like that.
Let kids be kids and have fun.
Let kids be kids and have fun.
Because life is unpredictable.
Today they're here, in one split second, Allah can take them away from us. And we might have big regrets later for not letting them have that five precious minutes of joy. Sometimes we have to let loose and shut out that perfectionist voice screaming inside our head things like"OMG these kids are ruining their beautiful Levi's and I'm going to have a hard time with the washing up later! Quick, make them stop!!!"
Before we open our mouth and be that spoil-sport mummy, just remember:
No-one will remember the messy washing-up afterwards...nor the tedious task of ridding the sands from the car seats & floor.
But the sound of the kids' laughter as they splash in the waves...
The joy glowing on their innocent beaming faces as they venture deeper into the salty waters...
Priceless!
THAT is something that will remain in our memory forever. Not regrets about dirty clothes:)
So let's count our blessings and thank Allah for giving us these beautiful children. Bite our tongue. Continue smiling. And let the kids have fun and get dirty once in a while. Trust me, it's good for their immune system anyway ;).
