My goal as a parent is simple; to love my children so unconditionally that they believe that they can do anything they set their minds to because I will always love and support them. My wish is that one-day they look back on their childhood with no regrets. Sounds crazy, right? I don't want perfection, I just want them to be happy and feel free to be their best selves.
Childhood is for believing anything is possible, for unwavering faith in oneself and in the possibilities. Childhood is for bravery and new experiences without judgment or prejudice. Childhood is such a fleeting moment in our lives but an absolute profound part of the person we will become. I want childhood to be limitless for my girls. I want them to play and soak up every single moment of wonder and happiness that can only occur in these years.
I won't even tell you the lie that I let my children free-range. I'm not a chicken and they are not eggs. I also don't want to have a heart attack wondering if my children are safe but I don't want them to be afraid of the world. I want them to be up for challenges and, in all honesty, I don't want them to be afraid of anything. I want them to make informed decisions but not be afraid to live because if you waste your life worrying, you miss out on all the beautiful, exciting, unexpected experiences that make life rich and decadent.
I want them to experience catching fireflies on warm summer nights, squealing with delight as they zip line through the world of wonder beneath our oak trees in the backyard. I want hours spent lying in the grass reading books in their teepee, as they are transported worlds away through words and their limitless imaginations. I want Saturday mornings together watching cartoons and laughing while trying our best not to shoot Frosted Flakes out of our noses.
I want made up songs and pretend fairies. I want them to have all the magic they deserve. I want them to linger outside under the stars, listening to stories by the crackling campfire. I want sunrises on the ocean and long talks beneath the majestic Blue Moon.
I want howling at the moon, fireworks and swinging so high that you scare yourself and swimming and cannonballing until you're too tired to breathe and I want to be right there with them enjoying it all, giving them just enough room to do it on their own but always in my line of sight…even when they don't realize I'm watching.
Childhood is for making memories and becoming who you want to be and I want my girls to look back one day and say, life is beautiful because when I was little my parents encouraged me to aim for the stars and when I couldn't reach, they lifted me up on their shoulders just enough to touch my dreams.
It's not impossible. Children want our attention and our love and that's all. This summer I have made it my mission to unplug as much as possible and just play with my kids; listen to my kids and give them my undivided attention. I've learned so much because I've finally shut out the world and paid attention to what's most important. I've spent the summer playing with my girls outside and traveling and exploring with my family. It's been our best summer yet.
Debi Cruz writes The TRUTH about Motherhood, a Lifestyle blog that is the honest truth about not only motherhood but life from the perspective of a mom.
