My wife and I took our two daughters to get burgers and ice cream at the mall on a Friday evening. With restaurants being closed on and off over the past year, we haven’t been out to eat as much as we used to. Not that we used to eat out all the time, but we’d go out to eat once every week or two.
We all got into the car around 4:30 and drove out to the mall. That would get us there by 5:00 where we’d have some time to walk around before eating at 5:30. Yeah, I know, 5:30 is early. But with little kids, you eat early…
My oldest daughter was really excited to be out and about. It seemed like she ran in circles looking at all the different shops and restaurants. She walked on the concrete next to the fountain, ran a little bit in front, and then back to us. She pointed at different stores, asking what was inside each one. We played “I spy” while we waited outside a store for my wife to return an item.
By this time, it was almost 5:30 so we walked towards the burger place. We normally eat very healthy, but it was Friday night so we could splurge a little bit. We wife and I ordered a burger, the kids got chicken fingers, and we shared a couple orders of fries.
We found an outdoor table off to the side and began to eat. The little one dove into the chicken fingers and fries, clearly enjoying her dinner. She’s only two years old so there’s a lot of pointing and one word statements. The oldest one was a lot more vocal though.
“These are the best fries ever!” “This is the funnest dinner!” “Can we still get ice cream after??” I seriously don’t think I’ve seen her this excited since we took her to Disneyland a couple years ago.
Since Disneyland isn’t an option right now, I was glad to see her near that excitement level.
We finished our meal and then walked over to the ice cream store. She confidently walked into the store and ordered an ice cream cone. She’s had ice cream many times in her life but I think she enjoyed this ice cream more than any other ice cream she’s had in the past.
We sat around the table for a little bit, talking and letting the food digest. We walked around a little more after that until it was time to head back home.
On the car ride home, our oldest kept talking about how this was the best day ever. “The mall was so fun!” “Those fries were so good!” “When can we go back again?” “I had so much fun!”
She talked about how fun the trip was all the way until bedtime.
Looking back, it really wasn’t about the fries, or the ice cream. It was the time spent with family.
It doesn’t cost much money, if any, to do fun things with your kids. The majority of the things we do with our kids don’t cost any money. Going to the beach, the park, walks around the neighborhood, and running around the backyard. Those things are all completely free, minus any fuel costs.
It’s assumed that parents are supposed to teach their kids. Which we are of course. The part that often gets left out though, are the lessons our kids give us. In a busy world with job demands, deadlines, cell phones, social media, and constant news updates, kids teach us to take a step back and focus on the simple pleasures.
We don’t have to spend massive amounts of money to have a fun family day. The main thing we have to spend is our time and energy. If we can do this, we can end up with some pretty great rewards. Rewards that no amount of money can buy.
Without even trying, our kids give us these lessons. We just have to listen.
What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned from someone else?
This Post Has 2 Comments
What a profound and tender observation. Children want and need time with their parents just doing “simple pleasures.” Many parents don’t understand this and try to make up for their “busy-ness” or absences with material things. I know I’m your mother, but your gentle wisdom touches and humbles me.
Thank you very much, I’m very lucky to have you as a Mom!
Comments are closed.