I Am a Better Mother in the Sun

Living in Western Pennsylvania, we rarely have blue sky days.  It tends to be kind of gray a lot.  So when we have those perfect blue sky fluffy cloud kind of days, I take advantage.  Yesterday was a treat!  Finally we are beginning to feel as if spring may just have sprung.  After a play date with my son's preschool friend, we did a set of errands.  We skipped to the store, drove with the windows down to the bank, even grabbed some fast food and ate it in the car (not nutritious, I know, but a good memory!).  The plan was to go home after that and have Builder Boy watch a movie while I did a little work.  As I sat at the computer to begin, I looked out our window into the beautiful day.  I just couldn't do the work.  Not because I was procrastinated or because I was overwhelmed, but because I couldn't miss out on this mother opportunity. 

There is nothing quite like those first spring days.  The air is still slightly chilled, but the sun seems to seep into your cold bones.  The sound of my son's laughter cuts into the stale winter air making way for warmth.  The swing creaks from lack of use, groaning almost in contempt of its effort.  The birds dance around us, scavenging the newly seeded lawn for nest-making supplies. 

As I pushed my son on his swing and he belly-laughed uncontrollably, it occurred to me how much better of a mother I am when it is nice out.  Even though his age-appropriate, yet frustrating, behavior was the same, my heart felt light-I had not raised my voice once.  I had not counted 1, 2, 3.  No naughty step for us.  We laughed and talked.  We played with friends and shopped for spring clothes.  He bought Spiderman sandals and I bought sunglasses.  We moved about as companions, comfortable and enjoying the other's company. 

My pressures of too many jobs and not enough time were the same, but my outlook was different.  I could stress out inside and multi-task working with getting snacks while Builder Boy watched a show, or I could "seize the mom moment" and play.  These moments are getting fewer and farther in between.  Too many moments before this have been passed by due to work commitments.  Not yesterday.  Yesterday, we lived for just that moment of laughter and sun.  The work could (and did) wait.  Playing with my son before he's grown up, well, that can't wait. 

Note to self:  Remember this feeling and try to recreate all summer. 

Comments

[Topsy-Techie]

Kudos on taking advantage of the beautiful weather to create a beautiful day with your son. You've inspired me...it's gorgeous here today as well. Might be a good day for horseback riding!!

[Black Belt Mama]

I'm a better Mom in the sun too. And I'll be a WAY better Mom when my house is sold and I'm in a new house completely unpacked. . . eight years from now.