What I Want My Kids To Remember About Their Childhood

When my kids are grown and their childhood feels far away, there are a few things I hope they always carry with them.

I hope they remember that home was a place where they were allowed to be loud and silly and completely themselves. A place where they were loved without conditions and hugged without needing to ask.

I hope they remember laughter. The kind that comes from tickle fights, silly jokes and moments that make no sense to anyone else. I hope they remember that we laughed together often and freely.

I hope they remember feeling safe. That no matter what happened in the world outside, they could always run back to us and know everything would be okay again.

I hope they remember the boring days too. The ones where we stayed home doing nothing special. Because those days were full of comfort and warmth that does not show up in photo albums but lives quietly in the heart.

I hope they remember being seen and heard. The moments we sat together and talked about the things that mattered to them, even if it was just their favourite toy or what shape their snack looked like.

I hope they remember that mistakes were allowed. That they were never expected to be perfect. That growing, learning and trying again was always enough.

I hope they remember family traditions and tiny routines. The bedtime stories. The cuddles on the sofa. The way holidays and birthdays were full of excitement because we made them special together.

I hope they remember that they were loved in every form. In their triumphs and in their tears. In their loudest days and their quietest ones. I hope they always knew they were the best thing that ever happened to us.

Most of all, I hope they look back and realise that their childhood was full of love. Messy, funny, busy, beautiful love. And that is what matters.