I have decided that my youngest’s motto in life is: Why walk when you can hop? He is almost two, and he loves to hop and jump (along with saying his “word” for “jump”, which you would not know is “jump” unless you are his mother, or possibly, his father).

When he is hopping, he is more joyful than I usually am in an entire day. Maybe an entire week. And depending on the month……And this is telling me that once again, I have something to learn from my children. Because joy is everywhere, if only you can remember your motto: Why walk when you can hop?

My 6yo’s current motto: Why not ask? You might learn something. (and, as a bonus, you might drive your mother crazy in the process.)

My 4yo’s current motto: Maybe if I say, “But I don’t WANT to” loud enough, I will make my imbecile parents understand that some things just aren’t fun. Because they keep asking me to do stuff that isn’t fun. And if it isn’t fun, forget it. Also, some people think 4 yo’s can’t do stuff that 6 year-olds can do. They are SOOOOOO wrong.

My husband’s motto is, I believe, (and this is without consulting him) adopted from the movie “The Incredibles.” It goes as follows: “Kids..listen to your mother.”

And my motto? It changes daily. Sometimes it’s to find the gratitude moments, sometimes it’s to live more in the moment, sometimes it’s to plan better, and sometimes it’s to make it through the day without hurting somebody. I think I need more consistency. Maybe that’s it. Find one thing, and stick with it. Maybe I’ll try that hopping thing.