There is a saying that claims that a shared joy is a double joy, and when you have children, you will fully understand how true this really is.
In fact, one of my
very favourite things about becoming a mama (alongside all those other lovely things, obvs) was how I now all of a sudden got to share
so many of my favourite things and activities, and not just with anybody, but these little people I had actually crafted from scratch all my myself (well, not
all by myself, mamas, but you know what I mean!)
Seeing, tasting, making and experiencing everything again through the eyes of your kids is the most amazing thing, and much as I am sure we all have different things we love sharing with our littles, here are my very favourite shared moments:
1. Sunday Morning Snuggles
I am an early riser, and during the week, my alarm goes off at 6.05 on the button, leaving me with enough time to get everything ready for our day, while also cramming in a little alone time and maybe some yoga before the rest out the house gets up at 7.
On Sundays, however, I love nothing more than to really take our time before even considering getting up, all of us piled into the big bed in our pajamas, reading, watching DVDs, talking and just generally soaking up the loveliness of weekend mornings.
Sometimes, even, when he is feeling extra nice, my other half will get up and make pancakes for the rest of us and coffee (for me) and bring it all back into us for a major family breakfast in bed.
2. Taking A Bath With Your Baby (Or; if you are brave, toddler!)
OK, so it might not be as relaxing as having a bath just on your
own would be, but it
will be more fun. And rubber ducks. And bubbles. And splashing.
3. Family Movie Night
This is genuinely one of our family favourites, and something I hope we'll continue to do for the longest time (like; I have visions of myself trying to force the kids to still stay in and watch movies with us until they are well into their 30s. Not sure how much any of us will love Barbie; A Fashion Fairytale by then, though...)
We make popcorn, crack open some Cadbury Dairy Milk Buttons (which taste
delicious when you let them melt over the popcorn, by the way...) and get out all the blankets and cushions. Light, camera, action.
4. Baking
My little girl loves it when we put our aprons on and get in the kitchen for some baking.
Not only does this, of course, yield some delicious baked goods, but these are also just such lovely moments to get to have some alone time, just my girl and me. I hope she will one day mess round in a flour-covered kitchen with her very own daughter... Because it is pretty darn magical.
5. Bedtime Stories
As a child, I was always read to at bedtime, and it is a tradition that I have carried on with my own young children as well.
This is a time to just snuggle down, be close, maybe chat about our day, before finally getting around to reading that book.
And while we do it because it is simply such a lovely and relaxing way to end our day, I also know that I am shaping their future as readers of books. Children who are read to will become readers, the books say, and I for one believe them.
6. Travels
I love to travel, and spent the first part of my 20s with a backpack more or less permanently attached to my back as I explored my way through Asia and Australia – journeys that all made such an impression on me they will forever be etched on my heart.
Now, much as we have taken city breaks and sun holidays with the kids since the were very young, I have already started to look forward to the day when we will go even further afield with them, when I can show them all the places
I fell in love with.
7. Coffee Run
I am a total and unargueable coffee addict, and cannot even imagine what my morning would feel like if I didn't have my morning latte (preferably clamped in my hand between the dart and the office).
Every morning, without fail, I need to duck into a coffee shop to grab my java – no matter what other things we are doing or where we need to be.
Since my little girl was old enough to lick the foam from my steamed milk, this coffee outing has been something we always (most almost) do together. Nowadays, my little lady get her very own babychino while mama throws back a latte, and I always marvel at how sweet and important even just going for a coffee can be when I share this little moment with my mini-me.
What are your favourite moments to share? We'd love to hear from you, mamas! Let us know in the comments or tweet us at @herfamilydotie
These favourite moment were brought to you by Cadbury Dairy Milk Buttons. Make more memories here.
