How to be an optimist: Life lessons from a 4 year old
Pick up any self help book or visit any reputable lifestyle blog sites, and you'll quickly spot a reoccurrence around routines and how important they are for us as creatures of habit, even more so for children, as this helps to shape their development and goes a long way in helping them feel more confident from an impressionable age.
Well at home, our son has his own bedtime routine:
Eat dinner ✔️
Bath time (with some essential oil blends of course) ✔️
Brush teeth ✔️
Reward chart (his favourite part) ✔️
Bedtime story (or 2) ✔️
2 - 3 songs ✔️
Pray ✔️
Regardless of what occurred during the day, be it his tantrums over misplaced toys, imaginary Marvel Avengers style crossovers where Sonic the Hedgehog meets Rider & the Paw Patrol, or serious negotiations about why he believes he must have more apple juice (which by the way, he assures me cured his recent tummy bug), the routine is the routine and the routine is paramount.
After completing the balancing act of Parenthood, Life & Work, without fail, when all is said and done and the checklist is complete, like clockwork his final question just before lights out is
Bath time (with some essential oil blends of course) ✔️
Brush teeth ✔️
Reward chart (his favourite part) ✔️
Bedtime story (or 2) ✔️
2 - 3 songs ✔️
Pray ✔️
Regardless of what occurred during the day, be it his tantrums over misplaced toys, imaginary Marvel Avengers style crossovers where Sonic the Hedgehog meets Rider & the Paw Patrol, or serious negotiations about why he believes he must have more apple juice (which by the way, he assures me cured his recent tummy bug), the routine is the routine and the routine is paramount.
After completing the balancing act of Parenthood, Life & Work, without fail, when all is said and done and the checklist is complete, like clockwork his final question just before lights out is
"Daddy, what are we going to do tomorrow?".
For me, it's always a beautiful moment to soak in and I will forever be inspired by the optimism of this 4, going on 40 year old.
P.s He smiled when I read this to him.
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