The Minimalist Way by Erica Layne

Author:Erica Layne [Layne, Erica]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781641523455
Publisher: Althea Press
Published: 2019-02-25T23:00:00+00:00

5

family life

At 11 years old, my oldest son has lost all of his baby chub; he’s traded it in for visible ribs and lengthening arms and legs. Recently, I sat in a camp chair facing the ocean, and he stepped in front of me to tell me something. I tugged at his hand, and he tucked himself happily into my lap. (Sadly, this is not a frequent occurrence anymore!)

I stared at the horizon and savored the moment, rolling waves in front of me and my first baby wrapped inside my arms. He didn’t stay long, darting off to chase his siblings in the surf. As I felt the cool air rush in where his warm body had just been, I also felt a rush of gratitude for the many slow moments—like this one—that we’ve shared as a family.

I felt grateful that during my kids’ childhoods, we’d prioritized low-key neighborhood play over tightly-run, competitive activities; we’d chosen relaxed family outings in nature over weekends stacked with birthday parties, recitals, and commitments. I knew that our pace wasn’t for everyone, but I also knew that it was right for us, and that was all that mattered.

If I could grab you by the shoulders right now and tell you one thing about modern family life, I’d tell you that your family’s life doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. You don’t have to hustle; you don’t have to keep up. Every birthday party you throw doesn’t need to be a Pinterest-worthy event. Every afternoon doesn’t need to be booked with practices and productivity.

You don’t have to compete against yourself or anyone else. You can do family life your way—and find immeasurable comfort and relief in knowing that your way is right for you.

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