Resetting the baseline

When will I learn?

I've been parenting for 19+ years and most of those have had a baby or toddler in the house. And this weekend I learned another lesson.

Just because the 2 yr old walks and talks like a big girl she is still a baby. Who needs her family every 10 minutes. On Friday I had planned a field trip to  The Museum of Russian Icons in Clinton MA for the elementary aged kids. Knowing my rambunctious toddler, I arranged for her to spend the day with friends. She loves to go play at their house, she talks about it all the time. After a day full of art and big kids we returned to pick her up, only to find her very unhappy. Apparently she was inconsolable all day. My Mamma friends tried every trick in the book to no avail. Somehow I forgot how important it is when your 2 to see Mamma's face every few minutes. If it's not her, then Daddy or a sibling.

Fast forward through a busy weekend of activities/appointments and Mamma gone at a parade all day Sunday and yesterday I paid the price. A little girl who would not leave my side. At all. For any reason.

So today we are resetting the baseline. Taking the time to have her toddler activities close at hand while I go through my day. Dolly clothes for her while I do laundry. Chalk and board as big girls do lessons. Taking extra time to set up art for her too while big kids paint.

 Fresh air in the freezing cold ( for a little while). And taking her with me as I go to pick up teens instead of leaving her with biggest brother. Letting her find her rhythm today reminds me that the nurturing of young souls is important work. Letting her be little in the midst of our busy household can be difficult. All the children seem to be in a hurry to catch up with the older ones. Today I will enjoy her smallness. I will find the joy in her tw- ish-ness