You're enough...

I think there is some ridiculous human instinct to always want more than we have, or at least we are socialised this way in the consumer driven western world. Last night I was looking on Right Move at million pound houses and at one point I actually felt badly done to because we can't afford one. How ridiculous. Never mind our beautiful, new 3 bedroom house on a lovely estate. Never mind our small mortgage that means we can afford plenty of luxuries every month. Never mind that most importantly we are all healthy and happy and so fortunate in countless other ways. No...all I wanted was a million pound house. I gave myself a stern talking to, closed the computer, gave the baby a snuggle and remembered what was important.

It happens with babies and children too. We all seem to be in this mad dash to get them to grow up and do more and more. We no longer focus on all the amazing things they can do, it's about what's next and what they can nearly do! Then, when that milestone finally arrives, we're on to the next thing. I'm making a really conscious effort to try not to be like this with Henry. I felt like at one point all our efforts were in getting him to sit up, and as soon as he could do that we were doing 'tummy time' trying to get him to crawl! Now that he's mobile we are constantly holding his hands to help him to walk. How ridiculous. The things that he has learnt to do in 9 months are amazing, truly amazing. Why are we always looking to the next step? What kind of message is that sending to our children?

I want the message that we are sending to our son to be one of acceptance. He is enough, and he is perfect, just as he is today. Not a tiny bit cleverer or bigger or stronger. We are proud of every little thing he can do and we are happy for him to learn things in his own time. Yes there will be children that can walk earlier, count to 10 sooner and know all of their colours. Yes, there will be children at school (when the time comes) that are better at maths or can run faster. I want Henry to always know that he is his own person and he will grow up and develop in his own time. And when he comes third in the race at sports day, he won't have the disappointed parents asking why he didn't win, he'll have a mummy and daddy that are beyond proud of him, no matter what. When he gets 67% in a test, that's the percentage we'll be focusing on, not the 33%. 

I want him to always know that he is enough, that as long as he always does his best, we will be so proud of him and we will always love him, no matter what. That's what unconditional love is about I suppose, I just wish we were better at showing our children that.