Time. Goes. TOO. FAST!
There’s something about vacation that lingers with me, even after the vacation is over: judgment.
I am not a perfect parent. So I judge myself:
I am probably a terrible parent. I keep thinking I’m doing everything right, but then – when I look back – I realize that I didn’t do much right on the way to this moment, so I am probably not doing anything right now, either. I have been reading books on parenting since before my kids were born, and I barely remember anything from any of them. And when I do remember what I learned, it’s usually because I realize that I’m not utilizing that knowledge.
In addition to judging myself, I judge everyone else. And I keep doing this, long after vacation. During vacation, though, there are just so many people to judge!
Going to Disney World is like walking out of reality into clouds. In spite of my family’s ability to argue with one another endlessly at home, this all floats away when we arrive at Disney World. Not only are the rides a spectacular joy, but the service is from staff that’s all bubbly smiles and overflowing kindness. During this particular trip, another hotel guest did MY laundry! It was an unbelievable random act of kindness – but it’s just that kind of place.
Still, I look around at all the other moms, and see just what they are doing wrong. There are moms who are scolding kids who are too young to understand what they did. There are moms who are hovering over kids who obviously just need to be left alone. There are moms who are feeding their kids fried food and sugar, so their kids will grow up to be unhealthy. There are moms who are forcing their kids to eat healthy foods on vacation, so their kids are going to resent the fact that they never got a Dole Whip, cotton candy, or a Mickey waffle.
Then there are moms who are on their cell phones – endlessly on their cell phones – while their children stare, wide-eyed, at the amazing world around them. While the mom is busily texting or playing Temple Run or reading emails or Snap-Chatting, their children are having a once-in-a-lifetime experience, whispering and pointing and laughing. And mom is missing it – minute by precious minute – because she’s too busy staring at the little box in her hand to spend this amazing quality time with her children.
This is the thing that bothers me most. I want to scream: “PUT DOWN YOUR PHONE!”
Time. Goes. TOO. FAST!
I spent my vacation practically drinking the air around my children, even with my angry teenager (who was actually awesome during the entire vacation). Every waking moment – crammed though it was with stuff to do – was spent taking mental pictures of my kids’ smiles, listening to their jokes, playing line games with them, hugging them whenever possible, and soaking in who they are.
Because soon, they will be gone.
I blinked, and my infant was in kindergarten. I blinked again, and I had two kids old enough to make macaroni and cheese. I blinked again and they both ran faster than me. I blinked again and they were making their own beds, putting themselves to sleep, and spending more time with their friends than with me.
I am afraid to blink again, especially during vacation.