by Kelsey Rasmussen

In July, sun-kissed children ride bikes, splash in pools and lakes, and run with the fireflies until it finally gets dark. In July, we don’t bother with a Hallmark holiday to remind us of warmth and love. But this is February, and February is different. We’re doing our best. Sometimes our best doesn’t feel good enough. In this cold, dark month—deep into winter—let me tell you: Your best is good enough.

Let this month’s column serve as a love note to you mamas and papas who need a boost. Who need to hear that all those little things you do, day in and day out, matter. That your sacrifices, willpower and generosity are what love looks like. You’re doing it right:

• Every time you show up.
• Every time you set down the phone and listen.
• Every time you take that deep breath and try again.
• Every time you prepare a hot meal…Or a cold one.
• Every time you say thank you…Or hear it.
• Every time you dig so deep you discover just enough patience and grace.
• Every time you read them a book.
• Every time you tell them the story. Again.
• Every time you tuck them in. Again. And again.
• Every time you anticipate a need and solve a problem.
• Every time you rise to the challenge when you’d rather stay in bed.
• Every time you play.
• Every time you make a joke.
• Every time you laugh at their joke.
• Every time you find a way to redirect instead of yell.
• Every time you get vomited on and help the child before changing your own sweatshirt.
• Every time you model forgiveness.
• Every time you let go of the little things for the sake of what really matters.

Spring will come again, mama or papa. In the meantime—you’re crushing it!

Activity Highlight: Make Valentine’s cards for teachers, grandparents, or siblings, using a potato stamp. It’s easy with these instructions from TheSpruceCrafts.com.

1. Cut a potato in half.
2. Draw shape on the potato.
3. Cut away the potato around the shape so that the shape is sticking out from the rest of the potato.
4. Dip the shaped part of the potato in water-based paint.
5. Stamp potato on the paper.
6. Let the paper dry and decorate the stamped shape or write names and a poem with markers or crayons.

NOTE: For younger kids, use safety scissors to cut a heart of out of a sponge instead of a potato to make a stamp.

Kelsey Rasmussen is a local resident and full-time parent of preschool-aged twins.