Time Flies: Making the Most of Every Parenting Day
How Paying Attention to the Little Things Helps Time Slow Down
— Author: Vladimir Super-BusinessDad —
“Time is passing by too quickly.”
“They just grow up so fast.”
I bet all parents can recall hearing these phrases more than a few times. My wife says them too.
But for me, it's different...
TL;DR
Time flies as a parent: Daily routines can feel repetitive, making time seem to pass quickly.
Pay attention to details: Focusing on small moments and achievements can help slow down time and create lasting memories.
Being present: Fully engage in each moment with your child to appreciate the joys of parenthood.
Share experiences: Learning from other parents' perspectives can enhance your parenting journey.
Parent’s Time Counting
The daily routine of a parent can feel like running on a hamster wheel. You wake up, brush your (and the kid’s) teeth, get dressed, drop the kid at kindergarten, head to the office, pick up the kid, go home, have lunch, maybe go outside if the weather is nice, then back home for dinner, brush the teeth, and go to sleep. I bet even a hamster sometime has a more dynamic day. 😊
When you zoom out and look at each day like this, they really do pass by quickly. Milestone days are so rare that the year can seem to fly by unnoticed.
Potential Solution: Zoom In
You are never fully prepared to become a parent. I became a father at 31. Well-educated, with a responsible and mature career behind me. A bookworm who read all the parenting literature I could find and attended seminars. I aimed to be the best father possible.
Even though you can't be 100% ready for all situations as a parent, I think I got one thing right from the very beginning: paying attention to the details every day. I’m doing that even today.
When I’m in the father’s shoes, I’m 100% in each day. I’m focused and give my all.
I try to notice and remember all the tiny little details. For example:
Climbing a new slide at the park
Building a new tower with bricks
Solving a new puzzle
Eating soup at a restaurant like a grown-up
Singing a new song
Making new facial expressions
Finding and releasing a ladybug
These situations may seem trivial to the untrained eye, but to parents, they are monumental. Since I go through each day with all my radars on, I don’t feel like I’m missing anything or that time is passing me by. No, it’s just as it should be.
Immediate Action: Three Key Steps to Implement Now
Even though this is highly subjective area, you may consider some of the following tricks and tips of mine.
Be Present Daily: Dedicate uninterrupted time each day to engage with your child, noticing and appreciating the small moments.
Document Memories: Keep a journal or take photos of your child's daily achievements and experiences to reflect on later.
Create Traditions: Establish small, meaningful traditions or rituals with your child to create special moments and lasting memories.
Final Words
Even though there are thousands of books on parenting, the ultimate user manual is still unwritten. Parenting remains a highly individual and subjective experience. Parents from the North to the South Pole and from Japan to America raise their children in their own ways, and there is no absolute right or wrong.
This applies to our perceptions of how quickly kids grow up as well.
It would be great to hear feedback from other parents on how they perceive this. Perhaps we can learn from each other and improve our parenting approaches.
Quote of the week
I would greatly appreciate it if you could share your thoughts on this subject in the comment section. The entire community can benefit from a variety of perspectives, helping us collectively find the best solutions.
If you have friends who might be interested in these topics, please consider spreading the word. The more minds we have engaged in these discussions, the better we can become as both businessmen and fathers.
I never realized how important it is to pay attention to the little things as a parent. Being present and focusing on the small moments can really make time slow down and create lasting memories. It's all about the details! 😊 Amazing work, stellar writing 🌟