Alright, parents and guardians, let’s have a heart-to-heart. We live in a world that’s all about the “extraordinary.” Everyone’s chasing big dreams, big success, and big moments. But here’s a wild idea: what if the key to a truly fulfilling life isn’t in achieving the extraordinary, but in finding magic in the ordinary? What if, instead of pushing our kids to climb mountains, we taught them to appreciate the beauty of the gentle hills they encounter every day?
A wise passage suggests, “Do not ask your children to strive for extraordinary lives… Help them instead to find the wonder and the marvel of an ordinary life.” And honestly, this might just be the best parenting advice since someone said, “Never leave toddlers alone with permanent markers.”
The Misguided Chase for Extraordinary
In today’s hustle culture, we’re all about that grind. We want our kids to be the best at everything—straight A’s, star athletes, virtuoso musicians, future presidents. We load them up with extracurriculars, pushing them to excel, often without realizing that we might be setting them up for a lifetime of feeling like they’re never quite “enough.” It’s like signing them up for a marathon that never ends, and all they really want to do is stop and smell the roses—or better yet, the freshly baked cookies.
But let’s pause and think about it for a second. When was the last time you felt truly content not because of some grand achievement, but because of a simple moment—a beautiful sunset, a laugh with a friend, the taste of a fresh apple? Those moments are the backbone of a happy life. They’re the small stitches in the fabric of our days that hold everything together.
The Joy of Ordinary Moments: Tomatoes, Tears, and the Touch of a Hand
So, what does it mean to help our kids find wonder in the ordinary? It means teaching them to savor life’s simple pleasures, like the juicy burst of a ripe tomato or the crunch of a perfectly crisp apple. It means showing them that it’s okay to cry when a pet dies or when someone they love passes away, that grief is a part of life, just as much as joy. It’s about letting them know that feeling deeply is a gift, not a weakness.
And what about the touch of a hand? Think about the comfort that comes from a warm hug or holding hands with someone who cares about you. These aren’t just throwaway moments. They’re the extraordinary wrapped in the ordinary. They’re the quiet moments that fill up our hearts and remind us that we’re not alone in this big, sometimes confusing world.
Making the Ordinary Extraordinary: How to Teach Kids to See the Magic
Here’s the thing: teaching kids to appreciate the ordinary doesn’t mean we discourage ambition or tell them not to dream big. Dreams are great! But it does mean showing them that life’s value isn’t solely found in big accomplishments. It’s about balance. Here are a few ways to help your kids—and maybe yourself—find wonder in the everyday:
Celebrate the Little Things: Did your kid make a mess while learning to bake cookies? Instead of focusing on the flour explosion, celebrate the joy of trying something new and the delicious smell filling the kitchen. It’s less about the perfect end result and more about the fun along the way.
Embrace Feelings: When kids feel sad or frustrated, don’t rush to fix it. Let them sit with those feelings and understand that it’s okay to not be okay all the time. Life isn’t about constant happiness; it’s about experiencing the full range of emotions.
Encourage Curiosity: Next time you’re on a walk, don’t just rush to get somewhere. Stop and look at the tiny flowers growing between the cracks in the sidewalk, or watch the ants marching in a line. Encourage questions and wonder about the world around them, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant.
Be Present: This one’s tough in a world full of distractions, but it’s important. When you’re with your kids, be with them. Put down the phone, turn off the TV, and just be there. Listen to their stories, even if they’re rambling about their favorite cartoon for the millionth time. To them, that’s extraordinary, and your attention makes them feel valued.
Model Gratitude: Show them what it means to be grateful for the simple things. It could be a hot cup of coffee in the morning, a comfortable bed, or even just a roof over your head. Kids learn by watching, and if they see you finding joy in the small stuff, they’ll learn to do the same.
The Extraordinary Takes Care of Itself
Here’s the best part: when kids learn to appreciate the ordinary, the extraordinary has a funny way of taking care of itself. By being present and appreciating life’s little moments, they’ll naturally find themselves experiencing the extraordinary without even trying. It’s like magic, but with fewer rabbits and more apple slices.
We don’t need to teach our kids to strive for greatness at every moment. Instead, let’s teach them to love the life they have, to savor the everyday, and to find joy in the little things. Because in the end, life isn’t about the trophies on the shelf or the accolades on the wall—it’s about those small moments that fill our hearts and remind us that we’re alive.
So go ahead, teach your kids to marvel at the ordinary. Show them that a simple tomato can be a treasure, that it’s okay to cry, and that a touch can heal. Make the ordinary come alive for them, and watch as they grow into people who are not only capable of achieving extraordinary things but who also know how to truly live.
And remember, the extraordinary moments will come—they always do. But the ordinary? That’s where the real magic happens.
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