I think, “I could’ve easily done the walk to the car without the yelling. Too early for this..."
But I tolerate the noise. Noise is a part of a toddler’s job, just as patience is part of a mom's. I watch, as she experiments with her voice bouncing off the concrete jungle that surrounds us.
Several car lengths ahead, a man in a tie puts on his jacket and grabs his briefcase from his trunk. I imagine he's a warrior suiting up for corporate battle, like a modern-day knight.
He closes the trunk, turns to us and says, “Someone’s happy today!”
“Ha,” I laugh. Sometimes, I think I need a little more coffee to be as happy as my daughter.”
He laughs too, “It’s hard to stay that enthusiastic, isn’t it?
“Yes,” I reply. “There’s something to be said for acting like a kid more often.”
He's ahead of us, walking towards the exit. He adds over his shoulder...
“Never lose the ‘Yay’."
“Huh!” I say. “Never lose the ‘Yay'...I’m gonna remember that one…”
“Me too!” he says, pausing a beat before he heads out the door.
Hand in hand through the parking lot, I join in with Claire, “Yay…Yay…Yay…”
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Photo Source: Happy_Serenity, Flickr
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Welcome to The Sunday Parenting Party, hosted by Dirt and Boogers, Play Activities, Crayon Freckles, Taming the Goblin, The Golden Gleam, Prickly Mom, and The Tao of Poop. The SPP is place for readers to find ideas on nurturing, educating, and caring for children, as well as honest posts about the stresses of being a parent or caregiver. Links to reviews and giveaways are welcome as long as they are relevant to the topic. All parenting philosophies are welcome with one exception: please do not link to posts promoting physical discipline, as this is something we would feel uncomfortable having on our blogs. (P.S. By linking up you agree that your post and photos are Pinterest, Sulia, G+ and FB friendly. We will be showcasing ideas on The Sunday Parenting Party Pinterest board.)
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Finding Ninee: Being Present with Your Kids
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Finding Ninee: Being Present with Your Kids
Our Feminist Playschool: Helping Our Boys Be Better Allies
Bonus! Check out other featured posts on The SPP Pinterest Board !
This is seriously so sweet. :)
ReplyDeleteNever lose the "Yay". Good advice! :-)
ReplyDeleteI love "Never lose the Yay" and I love when stranger conversations about my kid go well. Yay-yay
ReplyDeleteThere are too many days when I feel like I've lost the yay. Thank you so much for the reminder. Never ever ever lose the yay....
ReplyDeleteTotally been there wishing to have more of their energy and spunk, but you are right we definitely need more of the "Yay" for sure!! :)
ReplyDeleteAlso? THANK YOU for the feature. Mwah :)
ReplyDeleteLove it, I lost the yay for a while but I have found little glimpses of it here or there!!
ReplyDeleteI really like this, Rachel. Great anecdote that captures the wonder of childhood and how to recapture a bit of that magic. Long live the Yay!
ReplyDeleteNever lose the yay - love it! Definitely have to remember this more often.
ReplyDeleteKate x
Kate at Home
This was a lovely post (and great illustration, BTW). My mom and I once had a laughing fit in the back seat of a Parisian taxi and the driver said the same thing. Well, almost. I don't really speak French anymore but it was something like "tojours avec le rire" or "sourire" always with a laugh. Which meant never the lose the yay. I lose it more often than I find it and I'm so glad you've reminded me about that episode and about the importance of focusing on the positive. Ramble over.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read the description of that man, I was expecting a very different interaction between you two! But those were some wonderful words of wisdom. Never lose the 'Yay!' - I am going to remember this one too. Sorry, I am a bit late to this linky party.
ReplyDelete