Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the moments that actually stick—the ones that make me pause and think, Wow, I want to remember this forever. And you know what? It’s never the big, planned-out events. It’s the tiny, unexpected moments in between.
Like the way my son randomly grabs my face and smushes it against his for a hug. Or how he giggles uncontrollably when we dance in the living room like complete goofballs.
The Unexpected Magic in Everyday Life
It’s made me realize that the best memories aren’t the ones that take weeks of planning or cost a ton of money. They’re the ones that just happen—when you’re not even trying to create them.
I used to think I had to make everything perfect. That in order to give my son the best childhood, I needed to take him on exciting trips, throw elaborate birthday parties, or constantly come up with new activities.
Letting Go of the Pressure to Make Everything Perfect
But the older he gets, the more I see that what really matters to him is me. My presence. My attention. The way I light up when he does something funny. The way I stop what I’m doing just to scoop him up and cover him in kisses.
Because when I think back to my own childhood, the things I remember most aren’t the big vacations or expensive gifts.
What Really Matters
It’s the simple things—how my mom used to sing while making breakfast, the way my sister and I would make up silly games that had us laughing until we cried, the afternoons spent with my grandparents’ where everything felt warm and safe.
And now, as a mom, I realize I’m the one creating those moments for my son. Not by spending money or planning every detail, but just by being here. By paying attention. By letting the little things be the big things.
You Are Already Creating the Best Memories
So if you’re feeling pressure to make every moment magical, just know—you already are. Your love, your laughter, your presence is what they’ll remember most.
And that’s more than enough.
What Small Moment Stuck With You?
Now I want to hear from you—what’s a small, unexpected moment that has stuck with you? Whether it’s from your own childhood or something special with your little one, share it in the comments! Let’s remind each other that the little things are the big things.