We celebrate holidays with lots of fuss around here, and Valentines is no exception! I did special things when I had toddlers and babies, and wondered when they'd be old enough to be excited for them. It wasn't as much fun to carefully cut strawberries into hearts and place them nicely on top of yogurt, and then watch the kids simply gobble their food as usual. I still went to the trouble of making decorations and special foods each February, even though the reactions were disheartening.
Why did I go to that trouble, when I was drowning in laundry and drained by the kids' unending neediness and fussing? Every year on February 13, I wondered why I was putting my energy into it. (I also wondered this on July 2 and Good Friday.) It seemed normal to put lots of effort into Thanksgiving and Christmas, but not smaller holidays. But I couldn't stop myself. Something in me HAD to cut out hearts and think of new heart foods, even though the kids would have been happy having an ordinary day.
Why did I go to that trouble, when I was drowning in laundry and drained by the kids' unending neediness and fussing? Every year on February 13, I wondered why I was putting my energy into it. (I also wondered this on July 2 and Good Friday.) It seemed normal to put lots of effort into Thanksgiving and Christmas, but not smaller holidays. But I couldn't stop myself. Something in me HAD to cut out hearts and think of new heart foods, even though the kids would have been happy having an ordinary day.
Looking back, I see that making small holidays special was worth the effort because it gave me an excuse to be creative. It let me step out of the piles of baby clothes and into something fun. I felt excitement build up as I took out doilies and red paper; my thoughts drifted to possible Valentines day fare as I wiped food off the dining room walls. I needed an outlet because my days were draining.
Now that the kids are older, they join me in eager anticipation for the 14th to arrive. I overhear them guessing what kinds of foods they'll have. They jump for joy about little surprises. They work hard on cards for a few days before the holiday, calling out that I'm not allowed near them. At breakfast they hand out their cards with big grins. I think they'll always enjoy making things special!
Now that the kids are older, they join me in eager anticipation for the 14th to arrive. I overhear them guessing what kinds of foods they'll have. They jump for joy about little surprises. They work hard on cards for a few days before the holiday, calling out that I'm not allowed near them. At breakfast they hand out their cards with big grins. I think they'll always enjoy making things special!