I have a tendency to get our seven-year-old twins wound up right before bed. I’ve read all the advice about a bedtime routine. Yes, winding them down with quiet play and then a story will make sleep come easier. But it’s way more fun to wheelbarrow to the bedroom, have a last-minute dance party, or chase our dog Oreo around the house. Sometimes I purposefully choose fun over what I'm supposed to do because I want to raise daughters who are excited about life.
Adults often lose their enthusiasm for life. Have you ever spotted the dining dead at a restaurant? Here’s some signs:
- Barely talking or awkward silence
- Uncomfortable body language
- Tension in the air
- One person talking, the other looking off in a different direction
Ugh, it’s painful to even see for a minute.
Who wants to settle just for existing?
Now I’m not saying my daughters—or anyone else—needs to have a firecracker or cheerleader personality. I just want to raise daughters who find a million little reasons to love life. What if they learn to unapologetically live out loud? Maybe I can show them how to make life fun when the whole world is so dang serious.
Childhood shouldn’t be about adult issues.
I will never tire of witnessing Sydney and Riley’s enthusiasm. Bursting out of school, running into my arms yelling “mama” is my absolute favorite. (Disclaimer: There are also days when they are like, “Mama, can you hold my backpack so we can go play in the woods?” And poof, they are gone. There I stand with just backpacks.)
The other day I was jogging with my two dogs when a friend I hadn’t seen in a long time was driving by. She screamed “Sandra!” out of her car window, abruptly stopped her car, got out and said, “Get out of here, I can’t believe I ran into you!” Smiling, she had enthusiasm and sunshine coming out of every pore. Our little chat on the sidewalk absolutely made my day. Her over-the-top sparkly greeting made me feel so happy.
I want my daughters to get fired up like that each day. Unafraid to express emotion. Going full throttle on being who they are.
Love on people.
Soak up the best moments of your day.
Go ahead, make a mess.
Scream in your car.
Splash in that mud puddle.
Get chocolate all over your face.
Stay up too late on a school night.
Try a cartwheel just for fun.
Are you living full throttle? Remind yourself daily that you are alive and not part of the dining dead--just existing.
What if you simply choose to live with a sense of gratitude and celebration?
Your kids see you. They will model you.
Let's all show our kids multiple ways to live out loud.
Sandra Bilbray is a nationally published writer, regular contributor to Live Happy, and publisher of Asheville Macaroni Kid. She lives in Asheville with her husband, twin girls and two dogs. Email Sandra at SandraB@macaronikid.com
