Living on Baby Time

I'm used to rushing through tasks, trying to get them done quickly so I can move on to the next one. Not anymore. I live on Zara time now. If you have baby, then you know they're not in a rush to do anything (other than eat).  She loves to lounge, relax and take her time. I could fight it and try to force her to be like everyone else, but why? Most people spend their entire adult life rushing, cutting corners for convenience and still not having enough time to do what they really want. We're constantly looking for faster ways to do things, but rarely finding ourselves with more free time at the end of the day.

If Zara wants to take her time and enjoy herself, who am I to stop her? Besides, I'm sure she'll have the rest of her life to be in a rush. So when she wants to spend another  15 minutes nursing even though she's not eating anymore, I let her. When she wants to stay in the tub splashing water well after I've finsihed washing her up, I let her. When she wants to sit on my lap all day even though I know I have things to do, I let her. It does take a lot of time, but she's much more pleasant and it's great bonding time for the two of us.

It's also a great lesson for me. Babies are pure, untouched by any type of corruption. There is a lot we adults can learn from them if we take the time. Forcing myself to be patient with her has allowed me to be more patient with myself. I've been able to relax more and enjoy my life, instead of rushing through it. How many times have you said "I can't wait until today is over?" "I can't wait until the weekend?" We're constantly waiting on something else, forgetting about the blessing of the present. If all we do is spend our life looking forward to what is to come, we're never taking the time to enjoy what is here. I'd hate to wake up one day as a old woman and realize I spent my whole life waiting on what's next. Enjoy what's now. It may be the last now you get. Nothing is promised to any of us. So if your child wants to take her time eating her dinner or getting dressed, let her, and see how much more peaceful you life can be.




Zara's Mommy,
Nadirah Angail