Usually when we come to the end of a long run, K and I let Little A get out of the stroller and run the rest of the way home with us. She loves to run, and I love watching her run. A few months ago we were coming to the end of a run on a gorgeous afternoon. Little A climbed out of her stroller and started running, while flying her homemade paper hummingbird.
As I watched her run with her hummingbird, I thought about how innocent she looked in that moment. How a paper hummingbird could bring her so much joy. How carefree she was and how the weight of the world is still so far away from her. How the things that turn each day into a daily grind for us as adults, don’t affect her just yet. How, at 3 years old, she has no troubles and doesn’t see how messed up this world can be. In watching her, I thought back to my own childhood and how I used to love walking through our back yard on windy days singing “Part of Your World” (I loved The Little Mermaid). How in that moment, I was just free and had no cares in the world.
I look at my daughter’s future and as much as I am excited for her to grow up, become a young woman, go off to college, get married and have a family (if she so chooses), I fear for her. I worry about what society will be like 15 years from now, when she turns 18. I worry about all the pressure she’ll be under once she hits adulthood. I worry about her losing that glimmer in her eyes and her tender heart. I worry about society stealing her innocence.
[Tweet “As children, we don’t yet understand all the burdens that come with being an adult. All the pressure the world puts on us. We are innocent and loving and our hearts are pure.”]
As parents, all we can do is protect and guide our children and hope they make the right decisions. We teach by example and give them the tools to succeed in this world, but it is up to them to choose to utilize those tools.
My hope, is that my sweet girl will keep her innocence as long as she can. That she will be sweet and innocent and loving, and her heart will stay tender for many years to come. Because the world could use more people with tender, kind and loving hearts. The world could use more love.
This is so true. I have a daughter as well, so I worry too. I worry she may make the same mistakes I did when I was younger or that the wholesome innocence she has will fade so quickly because of what society is like today. At 10 I was still outside playing, but the 10 year olds I see now playing inside on their playstation, xbox or on their phones.
liz @ sundays with sophie
This is a lovely post. I used to worry about the same things. What I have realized following our family’s upheaval is that you just never know what is going to happen. We loved, protected, nurtured and things still went wonky. My take away is to try to live in the moment, and enjoy every minute of it!
Ahhhh, this post sums up perfectly why I’m so scared of having daughters. With Henry being male, and a white male at that, he will need to learn compassion, sharing, kindness and respect. But with girls, you have to instill self-esteem and self-respect, teach them their worth and teach them to know and demand their worth, how to defend themselves… And on and on. Holy moly. But little girls sure are the sweetest!
It can definitely be a scary world that we are raising our kids in. If only the world would let them stay innocent longer. I can be watching the news and then BAM, a nasty sitcom or movie preview will air or an inappropriate commercial about grown up problems. I’m scrambling for the remote control while my kids have now soaked in all this new information and I’m left to explain. And all I wanted to do was check in with the morning news. Ugh! 🙁
When we were at the park yesterday I literally said the same thing to Gary – children have this beautiful innocence about them and I just adore it! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston
Love this Tiffany… and I think about these things all the time. Society is so different for our kids but our parents were shaking their heads and saying the exact same thing of us.
We have a huge impact on our children’s lives and I have no doubt that you will keep that magic and innocence alive as much as possible.
Beautiful post my friend.
Wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo
I believe every generation has questioned the same things, felt the same and feared for their children. My parents did and I most certainly did. Now mine are grown up and having children of their own and guess what, we now feel that way for our grandchildren. But, you know, the world is scary, we are in trying times, but there is still a lot of good, many wonderful things to show our children and truly the role models in their lives is what will help shape them into having those kind, tender hearts. She is beautiful, just like her momma!
Thank you for sharing that Michelle! I know I’m not the first person to feel this way, and I won’t be the last. I think I am just starting to mourn my baby girl getting older.
Great post. I have a three and six year old. I catch myself already at times mourning the loss of their innocence.
So beautiful!
Tiffany, this is so true for me, as well. I worry for her, about her, and one day I’m sure I’ll worry right along side her.
You are giving her the tools to help keep that innocence, happiness, and stability – those are the things that will take her right through the worries that life brings.
I think the same thing about my future children often! More often than someone without kids normally does :-p I think with the foundation that Little A has, she’s got a pretty good shot of having such a blessed life. You and K are giving her such a great childhood. 🙂
She is so beautiful, Tiffany. I wish I could tell you worry goes away as they get older. Unfortunately, it doesn’t, we just worry about different things.
It is difficult to watch that innocence start to fade away. The good part is it puts them in a new phase of life and a new type of relationship with us. It sounds like you are a wonderful, loving mother and she will reflect that as she grows :).
Ahh, I remember those years so well! (My daughter loved the Little Mermaid as well!) Soak it up as long as you can, my friend, for I found out they become knowledgeable before you’re ready! Such a lovely picture of childhood innocence.
Thank you for hosting!
Great post. I often watch my daughter chasing bubbles or something and wish she could stay that happy forever
It’s hard not to worry. The sweet innocence of childhood is so precious.
my daught’er’s an only child, and our family is kinda small so i worry about her being alone. then i remember she will make her own family and it can be be made up of who she chooses, not just who she is related to. I am also trying to focus more on the present than the future so i don’t drive myself crazy! Nice post!
Wow I could have written this! I love the joy and innocence in my children’s faces, but when I think about how cruel and hard the world is, I get so scared for their future. I just hope that they can bring light into the world instead of the world darkening them.
And I too used to LOVE Little Mermaid. I used to play in my tiny backyard pool and swim around singing her songs pretending like I was a mermaid. lol.
Beautifully said! I worry about my daughter being exposed to the real world too early. So many young children watch inappropriate movies and play violent video games that I worry she hears things at school.
I totally agree Melissa! When I hear what parents let their kids watch I’m appalled! Our daughter only watches PBS kids and some Disney movies. I can already tell school is affecting her with things kids say and do (at 3 years old), and it makes me so sad.
I have the same fears. Watching the news and hearing about all the horrid things around the country and the world, I’m almost afraid for her to grow up and tackle it all. I think what’s important here is to make sure that we’re there for them when they need us. To prepare them however we can from what’s out there, whatever it may be. After all, that’s what’s parenting is all about–guidance, protection and preparation, right? My hope is the same for my daughter. Hold on to that innocence for as long as she can. The world will be there when she’s ready.
Thank you for sharing such an endearing post, Tiffany. Here’s to both our daughters. May all our hopes for them come true.
I agree Maria. I don’t want her to be naive, but I want her to keep her sweet spirit and outlook on life. All we can do is teach them right from wrong and provide guidance, like you said.
Thank you for your thoughtful words!
Oh my gosh, yes! It can be scary to think of the future at times. I try to focus on today and just raise my kids the best way I can. If I dwell on tomorrow then I will live in fear and that isn’t what I want for myself or my children. Beautiful post! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Hi Tiffany,childhood is precious and it’s a shame they when they grow up too fast. In a perfect world they would make the transitions through life without ever knowing how cruel a place the world can be.
I hope your daughter remains content with the simple pleasures in life for a long time to come!
xx
Love this Tiffany, brought tears to my eyes. It’s so true. I want to try and prolong my kids childhoods for as long as I can. I’m also going to try my hardest too to encourage them to always believe in the magic of life, even when things get hard.