"Toddlering" In 2020
Like most people, 2020 hasn't been what I envisioned it to be at the beginning. I was jotting down my goals in December but have very different goals in mind now.
Understanding this new era, we are blessed to see profoundly. What's interesting is others are experiencing a similar awakening all over the world.
The clarity that has been gained through it has a beauty and a beast side to it.
The polarity is real. The heart-wrenching moments of reading current events are fierce and tear-jerking.
Yet the laughs are also fruitful, healthy, and needed. Though the sunsets are still beautiful and the sky's still blue - we are now invited to see the world through a fresh and refined lens.
That often left me to wonder where does this leave me as a mother, and where does this leave my child. My son is still very young and doesn't understand what's going on. Again, I feel deeply for mamas who have older children. I've been hearing stories often of parents learning to homeschool. Learning how to articulate to their kids what COVID is. Fearing if they are hygienic enough because it's especially important now. I feel sad for families dealing with the loss of loved ones and having to explain it to the kids.
Through it all, I think the biggest thing for me has been staying in your truth. I promote an atmosphere of positivity, peace, and prayer in our home. I continue to practice awareness of everything that's happening right now. While using my voice to promote change, health, and well-being in any way I possibly can.
The beauty is my toddler still sees the good in this world, so it allows me to have a break to my sometimes complex mental process of each day. Toddlers teach you to look for the good and beauty in things.
Here are some perspectives to process as you are also trying to be mamas in 2020:
We have to be kind to ourselves as mothers because we are always giving. When you are kind to yourself, you'll be helpful to your children, and that will be the atmosphere of your home that people feel. Most times, people don't remember what exactly happened or how things played out, but they do remember how they felt. I know I don't stand alone when I say that I want my child to look back on this time with clarity. It has been something that was challenging, but I want him to see how we came out of it healthier people and more unified as a family.
I realized this week that sometimes being the "perfect parent" is simply being present for your kids. Give them 100% of you every day and remind them that you love them, care about them, and value them. It's easy for us to forget as parents, we are the center of our children's little world. They see the universe in our eyes, and we have to steward that well.
Stay connected to nature. Take walks and water your plants. I noticed how being outside has a grounding effect on me. I'm able to reconnect to love and peace by spending time outside and unplugging from my cellular device or laptop and just really being present to this current moment. Not living in the future tense or the past tense but being where you are now. And being OK with that.
I hope this encourages you!
- Kennedy