Purposeful Parent Tip:  Teach your children to enjoy the present moment.

“Congratulations! You did a great job.” I’m proud to say that I’ve heard that phrase a number of times in my life, especially in my professional career. Whether it was for a project completed or some other accomplishment, I enjoyed the recognition from my peers and colleagues. While difficult at times to ‘take in’, for that moment in time, it
felt like my efforts were appreciated.

Yes, I said a ‘moment in time.’ Because literally within a few minutes, I was already asking “what’s next?”  What was next on the list to be accomplished? Where should my attention and energy be placed? What did I want to strive for next?

Many of you reading this may think there is nothing wrong with this thinking. It’s simply a reflection of someone who wants to do her best and stretch herself to accomplish more. For the most part, I would agree with that thinking being the over-achiever that I am. However, I’m learning that keeping my focus on the ‘what’s next’ is preventing me from seeing what’s here right now.

This struck me most recently after my daughter’s basketball game. They had won the game by one point and were headed to the championships. The parents were very excited and congratulated the team on their win, but within minutes, the focus turned toward the next game. The dialogue about how well they played together and what great defense they had done was replaced with how to prepare for the next game. These young girls barely had a chance to catch their breath and enjoy their success before they were already being pressured about the next game.

Sadly, I was one of those parents too. I realized that I was teaching my daughter that the present moment was not important enough to hold our attention. It was the future moments that matter more.

I quickly saw that what I have been teaching my children is the exact opposite of my intention and more importantly, what I say to them. A clear case of actions not matching words.

Glossing over my own accomplishments and then quickly turning my attention to the next project, I was reinforcing the belief that the future is more important than the present. How wrong this is!

I decided that I needed to be a better example of living in the present moment.

We are only guaranteed this moment…none other. And how we spend this moment impacts and influences the next moment and the one after that. If we are continually focused on those ‘other moments’, we lose our appreciation and gratitude for what we have right now.

As busy parents, we’re always running aroundwith a million to-do’s in our heads. How will we get from point A to point B? Where is the game? What homework assignment is due? But if we were to take a moment, this moment, and enjoy it for what it is, then we are showing our children the importance of slowing down and appreciating what we have right now.

I want to encourage you to teach your children how to relish the moment. This moment. Right now.