Sara, on Discovery. Sling Diaries, Vol VII.

The Sling Diaries, Volume VII. A photo-documentary chronicling the art of baby wearing in the lives of families around the world. Over the course of six months, Sling Diarists will create their own Sling Diary though a series of diary entries interpreting a unique theme given to them each month.

Meet all of our Sling Diarists here.

ON DISCOVERY

As my kids grow a tiny bit older (5, 3 and 9 months), I’m absolutely loving all of the things we’re learning together. Homeschooling my oldest this year has been such a gift. We’re able to explore, research and discover together. The other day Lulu asked me “Does being curious help you learn?” I assured her that it did and she said “Okay. Well, here’s what I’m curious about: How is paper made and what’s it like to be in high school?”. A conversation about Spanish class, cafeteria food and prom dresses ensued, followed by a viewing of “How Paper is Made” on YouTube.

I love being able to teach my kids things, to explore with them and follow their lead. Even more than that, though, again and again I’m amazed by how much they teach me. This past year, they’ve taught me a myriad of important lessons and helped me discover more about myself and our family.

They’ve taught me that there is joy in the simple things. This is certainly not the first time I’ve encountered this lesson, but it’s really brought to life when watching a three year old jump in puddles, his face lighting up with each splash. Nothing fancy, no gimmicks, toys or expensive gear.

I’ve realized that time with each other is more valuable than almost anything else. Yes, I could work a few more hours and make a couple extra dollars, but I could also spend time with my husband and family, making sure they each feel important and loved. I’ll let you guess which one leads to a happier household.

Time outside is important. Maybe this isn’t a universal truth, but it is certainly the case for my family. When the day feels impossibly long and the week never ends, I can almost guarantee that an afternoon outdoors will help. I love the hours we’ve spend hiking, biking, walking, exploring and playing. It’s not as easy in this rainy, gray season but it makes us appreciate the sun even more!

Watching Lulu dance always reminds me to do what I love, and work hard at it. Her passion for dance is obvious and even if she decides it’s not her thing someday, I’m loving it while it’s here. She works hard in dance class and takes every opportunity to practice, never caring who’s watching or where she is.

The way Lulu and Abram play together inspires me to be more creative, they can spend hours playing with a handful of sticks or rocks while I feel bored in our home surrounded by technology and things. When one of them accidentally hurts the other, they are quick to apologize and move on with their game instead of holding a grudge and letting a cloud hover over their day. How many days have I spoiled by holding onto a sharp word or accidental hurt?

There are hundreds of other lessons I’m learning daily: lessons about patience, self-control, understanding, forgiveness, imagination, love, bravery, etc. Many things I thought I already knew, and now I’m discovering I haven’t yet scratched the surface. Ten, or even five years ago, I would have felt discouraged to realize how much I have to learn but I feel like these days I’m okay with it. When you embrace how much there is to learn, you begin to look for lessons every day, and that makes life more interesting.

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Follow along with Sara over on Instagram, @tinyhomedream, and The Sling Diaries on Pinterest.