It happens on a couple of occasions throughout the year. I sit down for the evening, usually after putting the Little Man to bed and turn the television on to watch a charity fundraising show. This time it was Children In Need and this time it was no different.
I start the evening looking forward to the entertainment. The live acts, the silly sketches and the ever brilliant EastEnders cast performing something so far removed from their usual storylines. And then I remember. Then I realise that the evening won’t be all smiles. The evening usually includes quite a few tears. And every year, without fail I find myself going into to my Little Man’s bedroom to check on him more than usual. Sometimes I give him a kiss. Sometimes I just stand and watch him for a while. But above all, I stand there and thank my lucky stars.
Difficult viewing
The videos they show on programmes such as Children In Need are utterly heartbreaking. One, in particular, this year, actually had me sobbing at the end. This world can be so cruel. Children are so innocent and precious and some of the things that they go through and endure, no one should have to, let alone a small child.
Every year it makes me realise that I do take my little one for granted. Just like I take a lot of things for granted. But I don’t think I’m alone. I think we are all guilty. We all get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life and we don’t stop to think about how lucky we are.
Time to be grateful
We don’t think about all that we have, a lot of the times we are thinking about what we don’t have. Is this the right attitude? We all know that we should think about the positives instead of the negatives but how many of us actually do this? I once read a quote.
“If you have a family that loves you, a few good friends, food on your table and a roof over your head. You are richer than you think.”
The quote doesn’t need explaining.
My point is this. We all have good days and bad days. Especially being parents. We are quick to grumble about how hard it is raising a child and how difficult it can be to cope with the the demands. I am the first to admit it. I do this a lot because I think it’s important to let others know that they are normal and they are not alone. But it’s so important to focus on the positives too. We need to balance it out. While we say we are thankful every day we need to really believe it.
Life is too short
Next time Little Man is in the midst of an outburst and I’m trying my new relaxed approach when handling the situation, I’m going to try and remember how lucky and thankful I am to have a healthy little boy who can shout at me. A little boy who can storm off and slam his bedroom door (yes, 4 going on 14!) and a little boy who is able to come back, give me a cuddle and say sorry when he’s ready. That is more important than anything.
Our health and well-being is the most important thing in the world. We are here just once. Life is too short to stay stressed and angry.
My heart goes out to all of the families featured in this year’s Children In Need. I can’t even begin to imagine what they have gone through and how they get through each day. I thank them for making me realise how lucky I am. I don’t know about you but I’m not taking anything for granted anymore.
Now, excuse me whilst I go and find the Little Man. He’s due another Mummy cuddle. He might not need it, but I do.
Do you watch fundraising programmes like Children In Need? How do they make you feel? Does it make you reevaluate everything? Let me know in the comments.
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