MY MOMENT: Life with an enthusiastic five-year old.
As I watched my son speed-walk to his school classroom this morning (he speed-walks, only because he knows he’s not allowed to run in school, otherwise he definitely would have been running); I thought about how cool it is that he does everything with so much enthusiasm. Every single day, he approaches life with an excitement I haven’t felt in a long time, if ever. Actually, I’m sure there was a time I had that much energy, but it was probably when I was a toddler, so I don’t remember it now!
When my son wakes up each morning, he doesn’t lay in bed for a while trying to muster the energy to get up, like me. He doesn’t hit the snooze button 10 times, like me. He jumps up, eager and excited to start the day. It’s infectious. Ok, not always. Some days, it’s utterly exhausting to me. Because his enthusiasm doesn’t end until he FINALLY falls asleep at night. And then I rest!
He wakes up again in the morning, completely exhilarated. He zooms through his breakfast, he runs to the bus when he hears it turning the corner onto our street. Even brushing his teeth, is exciting to him. Jumping in puddles, finding a flower bud, watching the dogs run. He has an enormous zeal for everything he he sees and does. And it pretty much lasts all day. Because he has an “eager-beaver” smile plastered to his face most of the day, he has earned the nickname – “Mr. Smiley”, given to him by his teachers.
Now I didn’t say my little Mr. Smiley is happy, all day long. Just enthusiastic. His excitement isn’t always expressed in a positive way. When he finds something he doesn’t want to do, as in the shopping story, his enthusiasm becomes whole heartedly trying to AVOID it. And he throws himself fully into that too.
Full-on tantrums when he was younger, and now repeated, relentless pleas. He doesn’t give up. You should see what passion he has when he tries to convince me of something. Yesterday he told me he’d help me wash and fold one thousand loads of laundry, if I didn’t make him clean up his toys. Yes, he said one thousand! I may take him up on that offer. I’m actually kind of proud that he uses his enthusiasm to bribe his mommy too! He certainly knows the way to my heart. Do some laundry for me, and I’ll reward you greatly.
He is on-the-go, and eager all day long… with the big exception of shopping. Then his enthusiasm fades away completely and is re-directed at getting out of the store! In case you missed it, I chronicled his hatred of shopping, with the exception of one store here – www.momentsbigandsmall.com/making-new-friends-at-old-navy/.
There are certainly times when his enthusiasm it exhausting for me. But many others when it’s inspiring. For what I have come to realize, is that this zeal will be such a fabulous trait for him to have as an adult. His love of life, and passion for doing things, will be a huge personality perk as an adult. I just hope he doesn’t lose it.
So I am going to embrace his enthusiasm and help him to learn to cherish it as well. And I will try hard not to squash it. As you can imagine, there are times it gets overwhelming to me and I try to get him to “tone it down”. But I am going to try to avoid that as often as possible.
And then fingers crossed, my enthusiastic son will grow up to be a very handsome man, still fully loving life. And he will greet each day with enthusiasm to spare.
My only question now is ~ how do I bottle it? I’d be rich if I could figure that one out!
If honestly wish I could be that enthusiastic about my average day! I usually start my day with a groan lol.
Me too!
Fantastic post! This reminds me so much of my own son. Sometimes his enthusiasm does get overwhelming for me as well, but like you, I try to check myself and remind myself that enthusiasm is a beautiful thing!
Thanks Jessica!
You have nailed it – I love the description “endless enthusiasm” – so positive sounding! Every time I have tried to describe my son’s boundless energy it always ends up sounding negative – he has too much energy, he can’t stop/sit still… As much as it is quite full on, it isn’t actually a bad thing! I am glad he doesn’t just sit there like a sack of spuds, although sometimes I wish he would, just for five minutes…
You can read a bit more about my little loon here if you like https://nipperandtyke.wordpress.com/2015/05/04/jets-amusing-musings/
#wineandboobs
Alice x
Thanks for stopping by Alice!