Joy A. Mead

I could feel my anxiety level rising. It was their winter break with both my daughter and son at home from school. Within the first day, my thoughts raced to questions of what activities we would do together for the next week.

As nice as going on trips and vacations can be, our family, like many other families, can’t afford to go traveling on every school break. Yet, without even realizing it, I had been fantasizing on all the beautiful trips and places I would love to take our children if we could. However, my elaborate ideas were soon met with a portion of disappointment as I was brought back to reality with meals to make, dishes and laundry to clean, and a lingering desire to somehow make the time off from school special, even without going away.

One of the first days of the school break, we visited our local science museum which triggered my son’s fascination with all things to do with electricity, space, forces, sound, and matter. What didn’t seem like a majorly exciting trip to me was exactly the sort of place for both children to learn and be inspired. Taking the train into town was also a novelty which we don’t get to do in normal term time. I went home contemplating that sometimes, it’s not so much what we are doing with the children but the fact that we are intentionally spending time with them that matters.

Often a mother’s daily routine can be challenging enough let alone the pressure that can be felt to make our quality time with the children amazing. We have to ask ourselves where is this pressure coming from and who are we accountable to? If we’re getting distracted by highlight reels on social media showing the best moments of the ideal family trips, then we are bound to be disappointed when the majority of our everyday lives are not fancy vacations and going to special places.

Alternatively, what would happen if we stopped seeking gratification worthy of approval on social media?

What if we instead approached our time with our families from hearts full of gratitude at all the blessings we are able to afford regardless of finances? Perhaps, contentment would then come more easily with our hearts awakened to all the little beautiful details.

On another day trip that week to the zoo, we got excited to try and see the three baby lion cubs who had been born around Thanksgiving. I told the children that we couldn’t be too disappointed if we didn’t see the cubs, as they may or may not be out when we stopped by their enclosure. But to our great delight, the cubs were visible and out exploring with their mother close by! To see one lion cub would be amazing but the fact that we saw three cubs was an incredibly special treat!

I came back home filled with awe for God’s creation and inspiration for the things in my life which God allows me to create as a mother. I realized that our two day trips turned out to be fantastic and the children had fun with a friend over for a play date on a different day. Actually taking time to rest and leaving the remainder of the week unplanned was a beautiful blessing in disguise. Our children delighted in being at home—reading their books, watching movies, being creative through writing, painting, and playing.

It was at that moment that, once again, I embraced our humble family life at home. Of course, trips are appreciated and fun holidays are nice, but the lasting and true memories are formed right here at home, sandwiched between the day-to-day activities of everyday life.

The warmth of cuddles and reading delightful stories on the sofa, baking a batch of fresh peanut butter cookies, doing a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle, or a game of cards are all activities which connect us with our children. Beyond all the memories which society tells us to strive for, are the simple, beautiful memories created and made by mothers every day, all over the world. Those simple, routine moments are the things worth truly living for and sharing with those we love most.

In my mama’s heart, I found myself whispering humble prayers to God:

“Give me the laughter and conversations had over healthy foods shared together, often with paper towel napkins instead of the fancy ones.

Give me one more bedtime story reading where we share precious words and time together.

Give me joy in the ordinary routines of our lives, in a well-used home where a future architect/mechanical engineer plans out his next building ideas and a future author/illustrator/artist/teacher practices her next canvas of creativity.

Let me soak up these God-given moments as I deliberately create space for them to be enjoyed by my family.”

Years from now, I hope my husband, children, and I will always cherish these simplistic gifts given in the form of quality time together at home. Banana pancakes on a Saturday morning, lining up the stuffed animals to watch a movie with us, and having a pajama day are just a handful of the numerous memories which will be engrained in our souls.

And I, as the mother, will have a double portion to cherish for being allowed the opportunity to be a memory maker and create a loving space of warmth, acceptance, and belonging.