An Invitation To Slow Down

by Trisha Pires

"Our days are shaped by her eagerness to create and her undying love to learn."

The sun is up, creeping in through the curtain, and I hear movement from the next room. A tiny throat clearing and a squeaky voice saying, “moooommmmmyyyy, I’m uuupppp.”

It’s Tuesday; I'm not sure what time it is, but it doesn’t matter. There are no rushes, no time restraints. She comes run-walking to me, three teddies and a sippy cup in hand. “Can we snuggle?” she asks, melting onto my chest, safe and secure, ready to embrace the day slowly.

Life wasn’t always this gentle. There was a time when my then two-foot-tall child would be jolted from a deep sleep, whisked into the kitchen for a forced breakfast, and hurried off, half awake, to “school.” The light behind her eyes was dull, yet I failed to notice. It pains me now, the oblivion I lived in. All I focused on was an 8:00 a.m. corporate Zoom meeting and how quickly I could brew another pot of coffee.

I would pick her up around 4:30, and her little face would light up at the sight of me. She would rattle off her wishes for when we got home, but I often dismissed them, believing we didn’t have time. We were caught in a cycle of dinner, baths, and bedtime. Little by little, day by day, I was weighing her down.

I dreamed of a slower life—a life where I could be with her 24/7. I didn’t think it was achievable; I was convinced my income was crucial, even though more than half went to daycare. We struggled, mentally and financially, and worst of all, she struggled too. I cried, she cried, and I begged for a sign. Then, after falling pregnant, I made a choice: to refuse to continue down this path, despite societal pressures.

How times have changed.

Each day, I am greeted with an invitation to slow down, and I eagerly accept. Our days are shaped by her eagerness to create and her undying love to learn. Her spark has returned, her high-sensory seeking self, ready to explore with no restraints. The moment I withdrew from societal norms was when we both began to truly live.

Discovering Ocean State Kids opened my eyes to a world of parents embracing the same lifestyle. Together, we experience the gift of being utterly present, led by our children, and enjoying a slower pace. I watch families trickle in, well past the “start” time, as our kids take the lead, creating spontaneous activities, playing baseball with rocks and sticks, and immersing themselves in the world around them—knowing their safe haven is never too far behind. It’s a space created by parents to simply be, radiating calmness to our children, allowing them the freedom to simply exist.