The Holidays Are Here! How did that happen so quickly?
Do you remember in your elementary years how slowly time passed? As a child, Christmas Eve night was endless. As a middle-schooler, it was ages from the start of the school year to the Winter Break. Now it seems like merely weeks! While we are all busy with errands, commitments and engagements to celebrate the holidays, I urge you to take the time to document the holiday season! My son is now 19. I would have never believed it, but the Christmases are starting to blend together in my mind. Now how old was he when we got this ornament? Which teacher sent this home for our tree? All of the keepsakes are so fun to pull out each year. Sadly, my memories are fading and they were so poignant at the time.
To me, as an early childhood educator, children in the preschool years are absolutely fascinating. Their take on the world is so unique and refreshing. Seeing them experience things for the first time — I could watch forever! There is no doubt that it has been one of the most rewarding aspects of parenting for me. It makes me a bit melancholy that my little one isn’t so little any longer. But I am very glad for the home movies, photographs and labeled what-nots to moon over each year. Take the time to journal a few minutes before bed, use a sharpie as you store decorations to note the year, take (and actually print!) photographs of events and experiences. It keeps those precious times close as your children age into young men and women with broader horizons and more varied interests. Your child may not necessarily appreciate it now but if he or she becomes a parent you will both enjoy looking back and reminiscing.
Wishing each of you the happiest of holiday seasons. Here’s to making great memories!