I’m done. I can’t do it anymore. I am over trying to give my daughter the perfect childhood.
To be honest, the notion of a perfect childhood is ridiculous! Yet, we have somehow found ourselves wrapped up in Pinterest-perfect birthdays, styled outfits, the newest toys/gadgets, and endless activities.
I have fallen into this trap way too often myself. Spending too much time and money on a birthday party for a child who is way too young to even remember. Overspending on Christmas toys that my daughter plays with a handful of times. Worrying about creating the “perfect” day of donuts, a zoo trip, dining out, etc. Going and seeing and doing to the point that we are both tired, cranky, and overstimulated.
And you know what? Something tells me that our kids couldn’t care less about all of that!
When I think back to my best memories from childhood, it had nothing to do with perfect birthday parties or an endless string of activities.
What I do remember is picking blackberries in my grandma’s gardens, sleepovers with my cousins, staying up way past our bedtime, breakfast in bed for my birthday, camping with my family in our little pop-up camper, sitting around campfires roasting hotdogs, making s’mores, and chasing fireflies.
My favorite memories are of family get-togethers for holidays with endless amounts of food and homemade ice cream, playing dress-up in old prom dresses, and having fabulous “photoshoots” with my cousins.
The best memories I can remember are the simple, unplanned things. I want that for my daughter.
I want her to have memories of sleeping in and snuggles, splashing around in a $6 blow-up pool in the front yard, days spent with grandparents, trips to the lake, and sticky s’mores. These are the small, imperfect moments that add up to a wonderful childhood.
Our kids deserve a childhood that is unrushed, unfiltered, unplanned, full of time to be bored so their imaginations can run wild. SO, here is to more spontaneous dance parties in the kitchen, popsicles and sidewalk chalk, backyard camping, and breakfast in bed!
Less perfection, more simplicity. Less busy, more slow days. Less stuff, more memories.
