The simple things that make me happy

Becoming a parent really does turn your world a little upside down – at least for the first few months anyway. My definition of a simple thing hasn’t changed since becoming a parent, but the things that make me happy, most certainly have.

Lighthouse have asked me to pause for a minute, and contemplate the simple things that make me happy. Although a lone toilet visit, eating my lunch interrupted or enjoying a peaceful moment make me incredibly happy since becoming a parent – my greatest joy in life comes from my children, and this isn’t something I will say often out loud. Purely because I feel like it goes without saying.

I have written my simple things down with my children in mind – those ordinary little things that occur, that really aren’t ordinary – they are remarkable, magical and precious. Simple and beautiful.

• An unexpected lie in. By lie in, we’re talking 7:15am.
• When all three boys eat their dinner without a fuss.
• A day out that lasts much longer than planned.
• Reading stories all snuggled under a blanket.
• When they make up ‘jokes’ that are total nonsense.
• Listening to them sing when they don’t know I’m listening.
• Watching their dance moves, especially a sneaky shoulder or eyebrow shimmy during breakfast.
• Wondering why they chose to wear a certain item of clothing.
• When they’ve learnt something new, and then I hear them explaining it to somebody else.
• Seeing them strike a conversation up with another child at the park, which doesn’t happen often, but I always listen intently.
• When they’re all squeezed into a warm bath, before it turns to utter chaos.
• Watching them laughing uncontrollably at one other.
• Listening to Win and Ru chat in their bunk beds (when it’s not an argument).
• When I hear Win and Ru talk and it sounds exactly like something I would say. This really tickles me.
• Watching them explore, grow in confidence and try new things.
• A family nap (an extreme rarity, but not extinct).
• Checking on them before we go to bed to see what position they’re in, and to cover them up.
• When we’re all in the garden pottering around.
• Going away together for a few days.
• When the three of them sit together at the bottom of the shower playing.

What are some of the simple things that your children do that make you happy?

E xx

Many thanks to Lighthouse for sending Otto and Ru these bright and sunny raincoats, free of charge. All thoughts and feelings are my own.