It's been a few years since I shared my Perspective on lessons I learned from my 4-year-old ... and now he's 9.
As a Capricorn mother to my Sagittarius boy, I find my grounded stability constantly met with his adventurous, free spirit.
In this, I'm learning the art of striving for balance — like when to hold fast to a trusty routine and when to let go and choose spontaneity, to slow down and make room for things on his time.
From him, I've learned the power of a joke, a treat and a creative approach.
And that sometimes affection comes in the form of being squeezed, poked or wrestled.
I've also learned to embrace the weird. A kid being authentically weird and silly is a kid who feels safe.
Following that, to welcome a little mischief — like him sneaking around the house, plotting jump scares and pranks. The collections of rocks, sticks and creations trail him.
And through it all, the importance of connecting each day: just to be together, to play, to rest.
The messy-hair, missing-tooth, freckle-smattered-nose stage is gloriously beautiful.
And time is a thief. Getting older and watching him grow is an ultimate gift.
When I see him sleeping, I picture his little-baby self, and I wonder whether that will always be the case.
As I reckon with impermanence and look for the lessons in each new stage, I find comfort in the words of Maya Angelou: "If I have a monument in this world, it is my son."
I'm Jodi Ritter, and that's my perspective.
Copy Edited by Eryn Lent
