A few summers ago my husband and 5 children were making plans to go to the local water park for a few hours. I was hemming and hawing over whether to go. My excuse was that I had so much to do and could really use a few hours of a quiet house to get them done in. However, my real reason was I did NOT want to put on a swimming suit. The last few years have played havoc on my body with various health issues, and let's be honest here, a few too many carbs and chocolate indulgences and. not enough working out. I just didn't want to deal with my own insecurities of going out in public in a swimsuit. I had decided I wouldn't go with them and said so. My 6 year old daughter had an obvious look of disappointment on her face about my choice and said to me, "Mom you just have to come, it's so much more fun when you are there. We love playing with you!"
I had a change in perspective right there in my kitchen. My insecurities were petty and minor. I wasn't going to let them hold me back from making memories and having fun with my kids! I went with them and we had the best time. The joy on my kids faces when they watched me scream down the waterslide was something I'll never forget. Since then I have made a conscious choice each summer to put that swimming suit on and get in the pool! My kids don't care one bit what I look like in my suit, but they do care that I am in the water playing, laughing and having the best time.
One of my favorite phrases to remember in parenting is to "begin with the end in mind." In the end I want my children to remember a mom who loved to be with them, who loves laughing and having fun and making the best memories. They won't remember the number size on my swimming suit or the fact that I don't have a thigh gap, they will remember much more important things.
I had a change in perspective right there in my kitchen. My insecurities were petty and minor. I wasn't going to let them hold me back from making memories and having fun with my kids! I went with them and we had the best time. The joy on my kids faces when they watched me scream down the waterslide was something I'll never forget. Since then I have made a conscious choice each summer to put that swimming suit on and get in the pool! My kids don't care one bit what I look like in my suit, but they do care that I am in the water playing, laughing and having the best time.
One of my favorite phrases to remember in parenting is to "begin with the end in mind." In the end I want my children to remember a mom who loved to be with them, who loves laughing and having fun and making the best memories. They won't remember the number size on my swimming suit or the fact that I don't have a thigh gap, they will remember much more important things.
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