As parents, we are given the arduous task of teaching and guiding our children. This is a huge feat. Most of us feel like we could be doing better, that we should be doing better, and, that sometimes, even our best isn't good enough.
However, this journey isn't a one-way street.
Over the last five years, I have found myself learning countless lessons from my daughter.
At five-years-old, she has instantly morphed from my baby to my little girl. I'm still trying to figure out how that happened.
While our precious 'Fivenagers' can be challenging, make us want to scream, and drive us to drink copious amounts of wine; they are actually pretty extraordinary.
So, here are my top five cheers in celebration of the five-year-olds:
1. Fashion 101
Plaid? Stripes? Polka dots? Every colour of the rainbow? Check, check, check and check. I love how my daughter rocks the kaleidoscope she refers to as an outfit. She is confident and proud in her choices. She isn't bothered in any way by what anybody else thinks.
This seemingly simple feat of choosing something from the drawer that expresses her individuality and personality is an amazing accomplishment.
Cheers, five-year-old, for making your own choices and for standing proud in those choices!
2. Say anything. Ask anything.
Their internal filter isn't fully developed yet. However, it does improve each year, which is worth celebrating!
Five-year-olds are incredibly inquisitive, which means many questions. SO MANY QUESTIONS. And, they are fiercely determined. If they want to know something, they won't stop until the answer is found. This can be frustrating. However, these questions can also lead to thought provoking, and interesting conversations.
Five-year-olds say it like it is. Sometimes my daughter's innocent honesty makes me cringe: but, I am learning to appreciate these teachable and learning moments.
Cheers, five-year-old, for finding your voice, and using it to learn and discover the world!
3. Livin' the life
These wondrous creatures love life. Fully and whole-heartedly. Every morning my daughter wakes up with a smile on her face, ready to conquer the world. There isn't enough coffee in the world to bring me back to that place.
At five-years-old, her journey is a blank slate. Each day my daughter's little feet make their mark in this world, and she finds simple joy with every step.
Cheers, five-year-old, for living life to the fullest!
4. Anything you can do, I can do better.
This one can be the biggest challenge. The independence craved by five-year-olds is insurmountable. For parents, it can often mean gritted teeth, lessons in patience, and staying calm, cool, and collected (or at least try!). However, it is through this desire for independence that they are able to discover who they are.
Five-year-olds are paving their path to individuality by experiencing accomplishments, and they take tremendous pride in each, and every success.
Cheers, five-year-old, for becoming an independent, proud, and successful person!
5. Big love
Five-year-olds are full of kindness, acceptance, and open mindedness. Every person who crosses his or her path is seen as an opportunity to make a friend or learn something new.
They don't judge.
They aren't cruel.
Kindness is learned; and so far, they seem to be soaking up this lesson.
The world could learn a tremendous lesson in love and kindness from the innocence of children.
Cheers, five-year-old, to your innocent, awesome and giant heart.
Embrace the lessons from your five-year-old. Each passing year is an opportunity to learn and grow alongside them.
These cheer-worthy moments help us through the times we would much rather forget, let alone celebrate.
One day my 'fivenager' will be an actual teenager; asking for the keys to the car.
I'm not sure there is enough wine to prepare for that moment.
So, for now, I will simply raise a glass, and say...
"Cheers to all the extraordinary five-year-olds!"
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