My creative 7-year-old recently learned how to make paper claws. Because of this new skill, we now have paper claws in nearly every room of our house (along with treasured paper airplanes and hats from weeks gone by).

And because of this new skill, I have two options:

One, I can get irritated that paper claws have taken over our entire house and spend time cleaning them up and persuading my budding engineer to stop making them.

Or . . . 

Two, I can take a few minutes to enter into the world of my 7-year-old boy by asking him to show me how to make a paper claw.

RELATED: The Only Parts of Childhood That Last Forever Are the Memories, and I Don’t Want To Be Too Busy To Make Them With You

And of course, I know which option I should pick.

Because when I look back on my childhood, this is what I remember . . . 

I remember my hard-working mom sitting on the floor with me making rocket ships out of toilet paper rolls.

I remember my hard-working dad taking the time to patiently show me how to get my remote control bulldozer to work.

I remember mom sewing doll clothes with me.

I remember dad fixing my bike.

I remember them helping me transform cardboard boxes into ships and cars and castles.

Did my dad want to fix a broken toy after hours at his job? Did my mom want to set aside her long to-do list to spend time creating with me? I imagine they might have inwardly wanted to be taking a nap or doing a myriad of other things. But I didn’t sense it.

What I felt was that they were completely content to be present with me at that moment, in my world.

And this is what I hope for my little boy. That when he looks back on his childhood, he will see me there beside him in some of those everyday-life memories. And maybe one day he’ll think, Wow. She probably didn’t really feel like learning how to do that. Now I realize more how much she loved me.

RELATED: Dear Mom, I Didn’t Know How Much I Was a Piece of Your Heart Until My Babies Took a Piece of Mine

Because that’s how I feel about my parents. And it’s how I know that the little things that could become big irritations could also be transformed into some of my children’s sweetest memories.

We only get one childhood. And we often look back on that childhood for the rest of our lives.

How can I really expect my children to want to mature enough to enter the real world if I’m not willing to meet them where they’re at while they’re still young?

And what a gift to be invited into my children’s worlds and experience childlike wonder all over again right beside them.

So I think today, while I’m still invited, I’m going to learn how to make a paper claw. Who knows, maybe I’ll end up being as excited about them as my little boy is. The world will still be waiting with to-do lists and trials, but right now, I think his little world is right where I need to be.

And maybe one day, my grown-up, little boy will want to revisit that world with his children too. 

So God Made a Mother book by Leslie Means

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A MOTHER available now!

Order Now

Check out our new Keepsake Companion Journal that pairs with our So God Made a Mother book!

Order Now
So God Made a Mother's Story Keepsake Journal

Stephanie Kramm

I'm a wife and homeschool mama of four adventurous boys and two miscarried babies I look forward to holding in Heaven. I enjoy music, art, and rare quiet moments in nature with a book and some chai. My Master’s is in counseling and I am passionate about advocating for at-risk women and children around the globe. I’m a contributing writer for the facebook pages Snips & Snails & Warrior Tales and this mere breath.

50 Questions To Ask Your Kids Instead of Asking “How Was Your Day”

In: Kids, Motherhood
50 Questions To Ask Your Kids Instead Of Asking "How Was Your Day" www.herviewfromhome.com

We asked our Her View From Home writers to share some of their favorite conversation starters with their kids. These are especially great after a long school day when your babies don’t want to chat. Here’s some of their favorites!  What made you smile today? Can you tell me an example of kindness you saw/showed?  Was there an example of unkindness? How did you respond? Does everyone have a friend at recess? What was the book about that your teacher read? What’s the word of the week? Did anyone do anything silly to make you laugh? What did you do...

Keep Reading

But Mommy, You Were Too Busy

In: Inspiration, Motherhood
But Mommy, You Were Too Busy www.herviewfromhome.com

A couple of weeks ago I was vacuuming my kitchen floors while lunch was cooking in the oven. I looked up to see my two little girls walking down the hallway towards their rooms, so I figured I had a few extra minutes to get some other things done while they played. After I had finished vacuuming, I went into the laundry room to switch the loads out and get some towels folded. My oldest called out to me to come and help her with something in her room. “I’ll be there in just a minute!” I hollered back to...

Keep Reading

3 Simple Strategies For Being Fully Present With Your Kids

In: Motherhood
Parents playing with kids

“They grow up so fast.” While we may not have understood the truth of these words before becoming parents, we certainly do now. They do grow up so fast–too fast! In fact, a part of us grieves the loss of every passing moment as our babies grow into waddlers, toddlers, and tiny budding persons with minds of their own. We want to soak up all the precious imperfect moments of parenting but our world encourages us to multitask, think ahead, and move on to the next instead of appreciating the now. RELATED: A Mother’s Mind Never Rests, Because We Carry...

Keep Reading