Today was just one of those days. My inbox seemed filled with messages from people determined to see the worst in everything. I don’t deal well with that sort of thing, generally – I find it boring, frustrating and infuriating in equal measure.
So, sulking, I finished work early and went to collect Flea and her best friend from school. We didn’t do anything special, a trip to the park, a walk, a picnic, then to the beach to enjoy the last drops of sunshine.
But it’s weird, isn’t it? Sometimes just watching your child reminds you of stuff you hadn’t realised you’d forgotten. Especially about how to have fun.
If in doubt, climb something.
Outside is always better than inside.
Nothing beats a hug from your best friend.
Don’t take life too seriously.
Remember to feel the sand between your toes once in a while.
Always make time to play.
Keep your eyes open, or you might miss something cool.
When in doubt, climb some more.
As we walked home along the beach, Flea and her best friend behind me, I heard Flea say to her friend, “Oh honestly, don’t you know grazed knees are just the sign of a good day?”
And I thought to myself - that kid’s smarter than me, sometimes.
About Sally
Sally is a full-time blogger and founder of the MAD Blog Awards and the Tots100, a community of almost 5,000 UK parent blogs. She is also a busy single Mum to Flea, the world's coolest seven year old.
Trips out like that one are perfect for blowing the cobwebs away. Lovely photos.
CJ x
Crystal Jigsaw recently posted..Upset My Daughter, Feel My Wrath
Thanks CJ – it definitely was a lovely way to blow those cobwebs!
I love this post. FOREVER. I need Flea to come to my house and give me pep talks.
I think £50/hour is a fair rate. Can you collect? Only I’m not sure the Post Office would approve of Flea in a Box.
Looks like it was a great afternoon. Lovely photo’s too, I wish we lived near the beach! x
Thanks – I can’t imagine not living near the sea!
Amazing photos – looks like the perfect end to the day. You are lucky having the beach nearby!
Louise Edwards recently posted..Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Festival Giveaway!!
So very lucky – such a nice place for the kids to run off energy, too.
Sometimes….
Flea is a beauty x
Jane @ northernmum recently posted..Dancing, make up and a six year old girl ~ northernmum
Well, she’s smarter all the time, but I taught her all she knows…
I’m with Kat. Can you work out how to clone Flea so we can all have a share in her.
Fab post, love it, love it, love it!
Thanks Fee. If I knew how to clone her, I might have had two!
A wise little lady you are bringing up! and gorgeous too. Mich x
Michelle Twin Mum recently posted..Reasons to be Cheerful – Week 21
Thanks Mich x
Flea is a wise, wise woman. You are so lucky to have each other
Kate @ UpsideBackwards recently posted..Leaving home
Definitely, I feel very blessed indeed
Lovely pictures. I find if I let go of the world (and it’s infuriating amount of mediocrity) and just be with my children, as in fully present, I feel much better.
purplemum recently posted..Chicken Pox.
Yes, being present in the moment – it’s about getting rid of that mental and emotional clutter, sometimes, isn’t it?
“grazed knees are just the sign of a good day”
Lord your child is smart. #newlifemotto
Laura Hitchcock recently posted..Spotted. Union Jack Summer Gauze Baby Wrap Sling
It is a fine motto, isn’t it?
I really think you can learn almost as much from your kids as they can from you. And I’m not just talking about the technology they’ll have to explain to us when we’re older. It is the stopping to take time to look at and engage with nature, having few inhibitions and just not worrying about life.
CocoaPowered recently posted..What being a SAHM is all about
Absolutely agree – although I dress better. Obviously.
You’ve got a wise little girl. Looks like you all had a lovely day at the beach x
Carolin recently posted..Recipe: Chinese Braised Pork With Vegetable Fried Rice
We did! Thanks.
Sometimes?? I absolutely love Flea’s face when she’s hugging her friend. It actually brings a tear to my eye to see that kind of joy. Hope you feel a bit brighter now.
Domestic Goddesque recently posted..Mum’s The Work: Pickle Pie Review
I know, right? It’s such a typically Flea face, I love that picture
What a great post. I absolutely love the photographs.
And when I move I am officially moving nearer the coast. I want to be able to pop to the beach for an afternoon pick me up and a play in the sand. X
Lucy at Dear Beautiful Boy recently posted..i heart my snap
Oh yes, you should move near the sea. Everyone should basically. Very good for the soul.
She’s very wise that Flea. You are so lucky to live near the beach – it looks like a great place to end the day.
Midlife Singlemum recently posted..#ArtIHeart 11 – The Rabbi’s Nude
IT’s the perfect place to end a sunny day, I think
Beautiful pics Sally.
Am feeling a bit stunned by this. Your daughter dispenses wisdom and I, today, learn from my mum who is 78. My dad is ill. I have been wallowing a bit. She said to me “It’s about what he can do, not what he can’t. It’s about how good a time we can have together today and tomorrow.”
Flea’s measure of a good day is a great one.
elizabethm recently posted..A short break
Awwh I want to be a kid again and throw away my inhibitions!
AWWH I want to be a kid again and throw away my inhibitions!!
Life Ninjakillercat and Everything Else recently posted..Silent Sunday 27/5/2012 #SilentSunday
Hugs from my best friend always make me feel better. I had a falling out with my OH on Saturday at a quiz we were presenting and my best friends walked through the door as I was pulling myself together – my Bestie signed (well it was more like mime rather than sign) that “Had I been crying?” (index finger from your eye running down your face like a tear with a sad/bottom lip out face) and I nodded. They disappeared upstairs while I chatted to other people who had arrived.
I wandered upstairs as they were wandering back downstairs and gave me a hug. 3 of us crammed in the stairwell at The Fountain it was awesome lol.
I ran round a field yesterday with no shoes on – I loved it!
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