Happy Kids Happiness Day!

‘Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. The third is to be kind.’

Henry James

Our First Kids Happiness Day was a success!  I came up with the concept a couple of days ago.  I was thinking about how I could incorporate kindness more into my life and for some reason the kids sprang to my mind and the idea began to blossom.  The more I thought about it the happier I got.  The more excited I found the prospect of seeing pure joy in live action.

Kids happiness day would be a day that I would dedicate to my children, they could do anything they wanted, eat all the sugar they wanted.  I would play with them uninterrupted.  A day where there is no worry about messy hairs and household chores, where I would be completely present with them.  I wanted to show the kids that although it is important to eat a healthy balanced diet, it is also important to nourish their soul with happiness and love.  I would not check Facebook (ok, I was sneaky I checked it once), there would be no cleaning, no cooking, no adult conversations.  I was not going to be too tiered to play any game, no matter what.  I vowed that this day would be a day that they would remember forever.

I woke them up dressed up in a ghost costume.  I drew beautiful colourful cards with sayings about what mummy and daddy loved about them.  There was no gifts, I wanted the experience of happiness to be their gift, not the fleeting moments of happiness that material gifts give.  The day of happiness was purely for them.

Ice cream and cheeky grins on the breakfast menu!

On this day there would be Ice cream and MM’S for breakfast (I had heart palpitations giving my kids ice cream for breakfast), they were allowed to mess their clothes and I was not allowed to think about how much mess they made and how much cleaning I would have to do the next day.  I wanted to let their imagination sore. It was a way for me to show how grateful I am for the gift they have given me, the best present of all, unconditional love.  During the day I overheard the kids talking about doing something nice for me for Valentine’s Day.  They are paying the kindness forward.

I realised that performing acts of kindness makes you feel uncomfortable sometimes because its something you disagree with or it doesn’t make you happy.  I felt uncomfortable giving them Hot Dogs for dinner.  I moved past it, this day was for them.  There was Lego, water balloons, dress ups, dancing, puzzles, painting mummy, jumping into the canal, a play at the play centre, bubbles, hot dogs (with bacon), watching movies past bedtime on the sofa, cookies and chocolates.  It made me happy to make them happy, although there was tears once…  I’m sure it was a sugar low.

Freedom, Happiness!

To be honest I was stressing about the day after.  I had images of naughty kids after the sugar highs but there was an all-encompassing peace in our house, a sense of oneness.  I would not change this feeling for anything in the world.  I heart that I had this day with them.  There are reasons why my kids don’t eat sugar  though… ha, ha! More importantly I am not going to wonder to myself why I didn’t slow down and spend more time with my kids.  I am going to make the most of what time we have together, now.

The day brought up a memory from my last year of high school and of a work experience placement I had at a primary school.  One of my teachers Mr. Murray came and spoke to the school about how I was doing.  My report wasn’t that great, pretty shitty actually.  Mr. Murray reported to me that although I worked exceptionally well with the children, I didn’t work so well with the adult staff.  Maybe it was because I heard them gossiping about 12-year-old kids in the lunchroom?  I’m not sure.  Maybe it was because I love to be in the presence of kids, where there is no judgment, where I see only love and despite the adversity that some kids face I see hope?  This memory was a reminder of why I feel so at peace when I am living in the moment with children and also why I quit education at university.

Our three beautiful cherubs!

I feel like I have an even stronger connection with my kids from this one day, its palpable.  There is a special energy in our house.  You are the best mummy in the world was said more times than I can remember, I’m not, to them I am and that’s all that matters.

I use to have this poor me attitude about being home alone with the kids all the time, lately, especially after this day I can’t rub the smile off my face, my attitude has changed.  My kids make my days yummy, they are not a hassle, how is that even possible?  Just look at their gorgeous faces!  It was a lovely feeling to be able to play and watch them and let go. It was easier than not being present.  I can’t shake this feeling that I got way more out of the day then they did.

Sugar High!

I am now ready for what future lessons my kids have to teach me, I could never have imagined the lessons that I would learn from our first kids happiness day.  It was fun to get dirty and really play.  I use to before responsibility bit me in the butt… ah the freedom!

For most adults their ultimate goal in life is happiness. Children are already there, why is this?  They live in the now.  When you ‘fully’ experience this moment and live only for this moment, there is only this moment.  If I’m playing water balloons with the kids and I’m listening to their outrageous laughing, that is all there is.

Late night movies!

I am looking forward to the next annual kids happiness day and so are the kids.  Bring on the 8th of February 2015 and all of its joy.  A joyful heart is the best medicine for the soul.  I have overdosed on this medicine and I highly recommend it.

May all kids across the world feel happy, know love and embrace their special uniqueness!  The future of earth’s happiness depends on their happiness.  Bless their little souls.  A belated Happy Kids Happiness Day!  Remember in life you can never have too many Happy’s!

Originally posted on: http://mindfulmummyhealing.com

Love and light and all things nice,

Kylie  Riordan x

*Disclaimer:  All my blogs are intended to empower you and enable you to take responsibility to make the best choices for yourself.  The choices that I make in MY life may not be the best choices for you.  I do not judge anyone who has different opinions to me.  Kudos to you for choosing your own path in life.  I merely am a human being trying to make my life the best it can be whilst sharing what I have learned along the way.  I am mindful mummy trying to heal and master the art of making one person smile a day… at the least!