Dad Swinging Child In The Air free creative commons (Photo credit: Pink Sherbet Photography)
“Again! Again! Again!”
How often does a mom hear these words spoken? I know I have lost count. I am sure it is one of the first words my children learned to speak! I cannot say for sure, though, because the moments with the children all seem to blur into one another: first words, first steps, first time they ate solids, the first time they slept through the night.
Again! A word whose meaning was quickly learned when a food was tasted and enjoyed. A word repeated often when I swung them high in the air like an aeroplane and they giggled in delight. A word shrieked in delight when I ran after them to catch them and “gobble” them up. A word shouted out gleefully as I pushed them higher and higher on the swings in the park. A word asked with high expectations when faces were covered in flour and cookies were baking in the oven.
But now the word is repeated with groans and moans when I ask them to once again tidy their room; practice their musical instrument; sit down and do their homework. What a difference five years can make in the intonation of a word as I, again, remind them to do their tasks. And again, and again.
And when I pass young children in the park, or on the street, I remember once again the delight I experienced when my children were that age and asked me: “Again, mommy, again!”
Do you often say, or hear, the word “again”?
(This post was inspired by Lisa-Jo Baker. The prompt for this week is again)
© Colline Kook-Chun, 2013
I think my favorite is: Read the story again!
I forgot about that one! Or sing the song, again and again, until you are all sung out!
Sweet post.
Thank you
Hi Colline, thanks for visiting and commenting over at my place. I am following you on FB so will visit again! Glad to know I am not alone in this “But now the word is repeated with groans and moans when I ask them to once again tidy their room”. Pondering “again” with you…
My girls are now in their pre-teens. At times they revert to the again of their younger days; but I am sure the groans will become more frequent as they enter adolescence
You got me smiling – again!
Some good memories, aren’t they? I know that I smile whenever I think of these “again” moments
So true!
Sounds like you are a mom as well who often hears these choruses
i can definitely recall my kiddos pleading for me to push them on the swing again, to read the same story again for the 15th time. Those moments were so precious. I can totally relate on the groans from my ‘agains.’ when it comes time to get up for school again, do their homework again, clean up their room again. Such a simple word but with so much meaning.
Now I wait to hear how they will say that word when they become young adults!
Fabulous post! A big grin and thanks for those memories that I so happily get to repeat with my grandchildren.
It is a lovely experience, isn’t it? And one reason to look forward to having grandkids
Cute post!
Thank you Christy.
Hi Colline
And again I need to say thank you for a very sweet post!
Much love
Mia
I am pleased to know you enjoyed reading it
Amazing how one word can hold so many memories and range of emotions.
So true. I know which emotion I prefer!
Funny how that word was uttered in joy as children but then uttered in despair by the adult in later years, ie , do I have to tell you again, clean up your room, do I have to remind you again etc
Ian
Often as an adult I say the word when I have to pay the bills, again, or do the household chores again!
Ah, Colline. Your post made me smile. Even as a childless outsider looking in, I certainly can understand your frustration. I doubt there’s any cure for the situation other than patience. With a little luck, one day you’ll watch your grandchildren utter the magic word to their parents and you’ll smile.
Some days it was fine – but others not. I find that the more rested I am, the more patience I have. At least when my girls were younger I was able to stay at home – there was then no reason for me to rush on to the next activity. I could instead read the story again, or let them while the day away baking.
Sweet and sad in a way. The way the children use “again!” in different times of their lives show their growth in perceptions, in body, etc. Sometimes, it is so easy to wish that they never leave the “Again” that meant delight and wonder. Hereabouts, I still hear it often said that way, especially when the children play rough with their father. They are happy, I get scared.
I can understand your feelings as with rough play someone may get hurt. I do hold back, though, because there will be a time when they will experience “again” as an adult – and that experience may have connotations of frustration and disappointment.
*cups ear* What was that again?
My youngest grandkid is into the ‘again’ stage with things that delight her, and it truly delights me too.
Nothing better, I think, to see the world again through the eyes of a child. What a gift it is that they bring us.