The big celebrations are easy: Birthdays, Christmas, Thanksgiving…with each, there are established traditions and customs we follow and enjoy. But what about those moments that aren’t as big commercially, but are just as important, personally?
A poll* conducted by Leger for President’s Choice Financial services finds that the top non-traditional events Canadians consider worth celebrating include a first driver’s license (41%), a child’s first step, tooth, or day at school (27%) a first pay cheque (26%) a divorce (18%), and even a first date (8%).
These are all life events and moments worth celebrating, no matter how big or small. But when you have kids, sometimes the moments that don’t happen deserve a little celebrating too. Consider the times when:
1) Your teenager takes your car out, doesn’t get even a tiny scratch on it, doesn’t leave behind any fast food wrappers on the floor and leaves you with gas in the tank;
2) Big brother/sister doesn’t punch, taunt, tease or otherwise annoy his/her younger siblings when they walk past him/her;
3) The Tooth Fairy doesn’t forget to pay a visit, and no one has to say the words “Are you sure you checked really carefully?” while another person breaks a record running upstairs to find spare change;
4) All those teeth that don’t need braces;
5) Teenagers who don’t ask you for money to buy you a birthday present;
6) A solo bathroom trip during which not one child, or your spouse has called your name. Not even once; and
7) The only white shirt your 12 year old son owns doesn’t have a stain on it when you find it five minutes before he has to wear it for a school or concert.
Celebrations aren’t all about the family and their small victories. As a busy working Mom, I feel like throwing a party every time I walk in the front door and don’t trip over a knapsack or 14 pairs of shoes, don’t discover a moldy lunch bag, open at the foot of the stairs and don’t realize the chili I put in the slow cooker for dinner has been eaten by a marauding gang of tween boys taking bites between video games.
So the next time your teenage daughter asks if her hair looks okay and her tween brother doesn’t offer up a less than flattering answer, lift your coffee cup in a silent toast and appreciate life’s little victories.
