Parenting
“I’m actually looking forward to our car time,” I told my 6-year-old daughter, Lily.
“Me too!” she replied eagerly as we gathered our things.
This has become a new routine in our household. After several months of searching for activities while my eldest daughter was at her gymnastics practice, we eventually discovered that simply sitting in the car can be surprisingly relaxing. Gone are the days of pointless trips to the store for items we don’t need, or the stress of navigating traffic to pick her up on time. Instead, we now embrace what I once thought was the worst option—we wait in the car.
I bring my laptop along to catch up on emails, and the kids have books and snacks to keep them entertained. They might bicker, but it’s not loud enough for the neighboring car to hear, and it’s just normal sibling rivalry—not the kind that raises my blood pressure. We listen to music, engage in conversation, and they occasionally peek at the internet over my shoulder. Cracker crumbs might fall onto my shoulder, but honestly, it’s far better than those frantic bread-buying excursions, so I’m happy to stick with car time.
Interestingly, our weekly car trips have decreased from 45 to only 29, thanks to a mix of after-school activities and our newfound appreciation for car time.
If someone had told me six months ago that I would find joy in spending 40 minutes in a confined space with two squabbling children, I would have been concerned about my future state of mind. Nevertheless, this shift isn’t entirely new; my threshold for happiness has gradually declined over the last eight years. Parenthood has limited my time, space, and finances, leading to a greater appreciation for smaller, simpler pleasures.
I cherish cozy nights in. While nights out were once a regular occurrence, they’ve transformed into quiet evenings on the couch watching movies, sipping red wine, and enjoying cheese. I now look forward to these moments just as much—if not more—than I did my previous social outings.
I’ve learned to appreciate a solid six hours of sleep, which is a significant upgrade from the sporadic four hours that I once considered “sleeping through the night.” While it may not compare to the long nights of my pre-parenthood life, I’ve come to realize that I don’t require as much rest as I once thought.
I value a 10-minute shower behind a locked door while my partner reads to the kids. I enjoy sitting at my computer working—not just because it’s productive, but because it allows me to sit down for a change. Most of my day is spent running, chasing, driving, and mediating disputes (except, of course, during car time).
I savor five minutes with my coffee and social media after completing the school runs. I relish taking the train to anywhere; it feels like me-time, with a phone, book, or magazine in hand, wishing the ride would take longer so I can extend the moment of bliss.
I look forward to a glass of red wine on a Thursday night, signaling that the weekend is near. After a long week, regardless of my accomplishments or failures, that glass feels well-deserved.
I find joy in brewing my coffee at home. The joy I derive from making my morning brew now rivals the cappuccino I used to get from the coffee shop—perhaps because I’ve been forced to adapt, but the satisfaction remains high.
With that said, I should wrap this up; our car time is almost over, and there’s a child spilling crackers on my shoulder. That glass of wine is just four hours away—pure bliss.
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Summary
In this reflective piece, Mia Thompson shares how the joys of parenthood have led her to find happiness in simpler, everyday moments such as car rides, cozy nights in, and the small pleasures of life. Adjusting expectations and appreciating the little things has become a theme in her parenting journey.
Keyphrase: Simple sources of happiness
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