15 Years From Now...

Yesterday morning, as Aiden and I made our way from the bus stop to his school, we hopped over the cracks in the NYC sidewalks, trying our best not to step on them. But we did. A lot. And every time we stepped on a crack, we laughed. Loudly. And people looked at us like we were a little crazy. But we didn't pay too much attention to them. We simply said, "Oops! I stepped on another one!" More laughter. More smiling. More stares from onlookers. It was the best time ever!

This morning, we played that game again. It was even more fun than when we played yesterday. 

Then I got to thinking... this right here... is what this parenting thing is all about. Making memories. Happy, smiling, FUN, and lovely memories. 

{"silly rabbit, Trix are for kids"}

15 years from now, I want Aiden to have fond memories of his childhood with me. I don't want him to remember me as a busy bee mom who didn't have time to play with him. In fact, I don't even want him to remember that my career was demanding. Instead I want him to remember me sitting on the floor next to him putting together puzzles, or setting up his train tracks, or playing with his race cars. 

I want him to remember the books that I read to him, the funny facial expressions that I made, and my voice inflections. I want him to recall how I really, really got into the characters to engross him in the story. 

I want him to remember the times I pretended to be Batman or Superman. I want him to remember when I transformed into Flash (another Superhero, for those of you "Superhero Virgins") and ran all over our living room with him. 

I don't want him to remember how tired I was of how often I was tired. Instead, I want him to remember how we played hide and seek in our apartment. 

I want him to remember how I stayed with him at night until he fell asleep because he was afraid of the dark, not that I really, really wanted him to fall asleep so that I could tackle some work and get some writing done. 

I want him to remember that we chased after birds on the way to school. And jumped over the cracks in the NYC sidewalks. Not that I was watching my watch because we were late for school that morning as a result of me pressing the snooze button three times. (Oops!) 

I want him to remember the hugs and kisses and warm and fuzzy feelings. Not that I was constantly thinking of the tasks that I had to accomplish next. Too busy for hugs and kisses? Hmm... That's not the kind of mother that I want to be. 

I want him to remember how many times I put down what I was doing just to give him my full attention and watch him play. Just to teach him something. Just to tell him how proud I am of him (because I am) and how much of a blessing he is to me. And to the universe. 

{that's one fashionable kid}

I want him to know that he was put here for a purpose and I want him to pursue his passion and purpose. Boldly. 

So I'm mothering more consciously. More intentionally. And I'm jumping over the cracks in the sidewalks because that's what makes Aiden happy. Because when he's all grown up, I want him to look back and smile. And smile again. And know that he had the best childhood that I could provide for him.

What about you? What do you want your kids to remember 15 years from now? How are you working to help them achieve those memories.