Little things

_{home made cake and cupcakes}

I'm stepping into this wonderful community of kids and parents for the first time. After exploring various posts here, I felt inspired to share my two cents. I hope my contribution adds a touch of #little-things to the discussions.

Sometimes in the jinx of life, we stop celebrating the little things—the meaningful aspects that form the essence of vibrance.

Occasionally, kids remind us not to forget the importance of these moments. Personally, I don't usually make a big deal out of my birthday or events related to me. However, my kids always go the extra mile to make it special, especially on Mother's Day. Despite not having a strong concept of celebrating this day, their secret card-making and super-secret planning bring a smile to my face. It's the effort that counts.

My daughter wanted to invite two of her friends to her birthday last month. She came to me with a request that she didn't want a big party—just two friends and, perhaps, a surprise present from me. She mentioned that so casually - The present part! she wanted to keep as a surprise for herself, but she also wanted to give me a hint that she's expecting something. Super cute of her!

_{a little backdrop for the festive look}

My daughter had a blast on her birthday with her two friends and family. After the party, she went out with her dad to get a present from him, which included little things like wafers and juice, as well as some items for her personal use. It's funny because we would buy her shampoo and lotion anyway.

She shared the edibles with her siblings, everyone, including her grandparents. But what made her super happy was that the whole affair was centered around her.

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I sometimes light-heartedly say to my kids, "Why is your birthday an achievement for you? It's me who deserves a party and presents every time it's your birthday!" They have a hard time coming up with an appropriate answer and often respond with funny and silly remarks. "Mama! But it's me who made you Mama," or "You should be thankful for my birthday." Hahaha!

Jokes aside, reinforcing positive behavior in kids by making them feel special involves acknowledging and appreciating their actions. Even though a birthday isn't the child's effort, you can blend the celebration with positive reinforcement by acknowledging their uniqueness and expressing appreciation for who they are. I think it reinforces their sense of significance beyond just the occasion itself.

Sometimes I bake them a cake myself when I don't have the option of a custom-made one, and other times, I buy them a themed cake. The crux is to make them feel special.

Same goes for the backdrops; they're a mix of going overboard and keeping them minimal. It's all about resources and sometimes my mood. 😜 Deciding whether to invest more in party decorations or focus on food and other elements.

_{Sometimes more, sometimes less – these little things count big time}

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I will end this post on a note:

#little-things ...They may be subtle, but their impact is significant in creating lasting memories and a sense of joy.

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Wish you all such little things in your life. Keep celebrating life in whatever form it comes to you! :)