We see funny shirts about moms being late because…well…kids. We use our kids as an excuse to be one or two or ten minutes late to dinners or events and while I didn’t quite understand this before becoming a mom, I totally get it now…

Ava’s ready for school 20 minutes before we need to leave and I’m feeling great. Franky’s diaper needs to be changed one more time and I need to throw some shoes on but hey, I can get that done in 20 minutes, right? And then it happens… Franky has a blow out and needs a full wardrobe change, I now need an entire wardrobe change because I’m now covered in baby poop, in the meantime Ava’s taken off her shoes and I can’t find them anywhere so new shoes it is, she’s placed her backpack in some hidden black hole with her share item inside when her backpack was sitting right by the door 20 minutes earlier and then we finally make it out the door. Finally. Then Ava wants to climb into her car seat on her own but since we’re running late, I tell her, “not this time.” And because she doesn’t get what she wants, she refuses to sit up in her car seat, delaying us even more and causing so much stress because, you know, we’re running late.

I could keep on going but I assume if you’re reading this, you know exactly where this is headed. And you’ve probably been there.

As moms, I feel like we’re always in a rush. We’re always hurrying to one activity or the next and even when we’re getting home after a long day filled with “things,” we’re still in a rush.

I find myself telling Ava to “hurry” as I attempt to get her seatbelt off, even at the end of the day with no other plans for the evening. I tell her to “hurry up” as she climbs up on her stool to wash her hands …but like, why? Why are we always in a hurry everywhere we go, even when we have nowhere to be?

Of course there are times like school or activities where we’re in a rush because we have to be on time and things come up that just aren’t in our control that cause us to rush but personally, this mindset always carries over to even times when there is no need for me to rush and so, this summer I want to just focus on slowing down.

Just slow down.

Spend the extra 10 or even 20 minutes cooking dinner because your kids want to help you with every single step. Instead of rushing to get the toys cleaned up, invite your toddler to play a game of hoops and throw the stuffed animals into the bin as you clean up together. It may take more time but hey, those are precious moments you would otherwise spend “rushing” to get the house cleaned. And for what reason? When your toddler wants to climb up to her car seat on her own and you know it’s going to take maybe 45 seconds longer than it would if you put her in there yourself, let her do it and praise her for accomplishing that big climb with her “strong muscles.” It’s a tiny little moment that she will cherish and you will cherish and I promise, it’ll make both of you smile. And instead of putting your baby’s clothes on as fast as you can (for no apparent reason), tickle them and smile with them and soak in every inch of their tiny little bodies that tomorrow, will be bigger than they are right now, today.

Instead of rushing around everywhere we go in life, let’s just take a moment to soak it all in. Shan Tripp said something on her stories yesterday that totally stuck with me. “The only moments you’re guaranteed in life are the moments you’re experiencing right now.” So why rush them?

Slow down + soak it all in.