I read a post on Instagram the other day that talked about how we can learn a lot from watching what our toddlers do and say. What a statement.
My son has seen me in all different lights. When I am sad, mad, frustrated, happy, scared, and so much more. He has seen how those emotions impact me as a person but also as a momma. He has been on the receiving end of frustration when it was no fault to him other than he is the only one there. He has seen tears and not known why. He has seen joy and laughter. And yet, the one thing that is common in each of those scenarios is that he is there with his heart and arms wide open – a beautiful picture of unconditional love.
I will be the very first to admit I am a constant work in progress. Even at 33, I am working through things in therapy each week that stem from long ago. I want to keep growing and working on myself so I can be the best version possible not just for me but for B as well. The most incredible thing about all of that is how no matter what it is I am working through, B still sees me the same. On my good days and especially on my bad he is the most loving and caring little boy. Sure, we can chalk that up to my ex and I co-parenting him well and showing him love, but I like to think that the little humans are just different.
He doesn’t fully know what grace means, but he extends it to me every day. He doesn’t know that his words of, “it’s okay momma” heal parts of me that I didn’t know needed healing. He is about to be 4 and he loves so deeply and beautifully already. The way he is grateful for even the smallest of things has rocked my world. I had just gotten him back after he was at his mommy’s house and he goes into the kitchen and sees I stocked back up on his yogurt and cheese sticks. He came running back to me -no snack in hand – and said, “Momma thank you so much for getting those, that was so very nice.” I was just doing the toddler grocery haul, but he was so thankful for it. So he got me thinking about my day to day more. He sparked this mindset of gratitude and how to approach my day with it.
B is 4 and I’m learning so much from him about how to be a better person and better momma. I am not always right, I mess up a lot, I can get frustrated, but to B I’m his world. If I can take a fraction of his grace, gratitude, and love and use it more in my life I can only imagine how much more joy I would have.
If you are anything like me and just doing your best to navigate this life as a single momma or single dad, just know that you have a little human who adores you. Watch how they extend grace, show love, and express gratitude and take notes. We can learn so much from them.
Live like the little humans.
The Single Momma 