Fall is in the air and the change of season is all around us. As a family, we are also evolving into a new stage of life. My husband and I reached milestone birthdays over the last year and all our children are now school age. The season of nursing a baby while supervising my preschooler during circle time at the library has transitioned to ‘consonant-vowel-consonant’ words and reading comprehension. Instead of scheduling play dates, we are navigating extracurricular activities. Each shift in life brings an opportunity to reflect on the past and consider new expectations for the current season.
In the early years of growing our family, I was never fond of hearing, “It goes so fast, just enjoy it.” As I was mostly sleep deprived and just trying to survive until bedtime, this sentiment seemed like nails on a chalkboard. Yet, with distance my perspective has changed, and I’m beginning to appreciate the phrase as time seems to be moving faster than what I remember when they were little.
Our days are still full and bedtime continues to be a great respite for each day, but living in the present has my full attention. Parenting reflects life’s juxtaposition and everything in between. Savoring the depth and breadth of these moments is essential. This allows me to soak up sweet hugs and funny school-aged humor while also attending to the full range of emotions that we experience in this human body. The power of presence also allows me to recognize and respect our individual limitations to meet our evolving needs. Sometimes distance is necessary to have a full perspective. My hope is to teach them that all of life is worth savoring.
For more parenting information or to register for CHKD workshops and webinars, visit CHKD.org/ParentingResources.
About Jeane N. Liburd, MA, CCLS
Jeané Liburd has worked in the field of child Iife since 2005. She earned a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy and is trained in play therapy. She currently serves as an adjunct instructor for Liberty University. Throughout her career, she has provided services for children and families in various settings including hospitals, pediatric hospice, and community programs. The focus of her work is supporting children and families who have experienced illness, grief, and loss.
