Vintage Jacks and the Joy of Motherhood

The other day, I bought a box of jacks.

vintage

Vintage style. Metal. Real. The kind that make a tiny, satisfying sound when they hit the ground and are sturdy enough to withstand my quick grab.

When I saw them online, my first thought was, Oh my God. I cannot wait to destroy Arrington in this. Because we are a competitive family. And I do not let my kids win….At all. (“f” them kids” as I lovingly joke).

My son is also at the age where he thinks he is the best at everything. The confidence is strong. The arrogance is stronger. So now I’m over here scrolling like, sir, we about to humble you today with a childhood game from 1989.

This Side of Motherhood

There is a side of this life that I love. I don’t love parenting. I do it because it is required. But motherhood? The loving, nurturing, connecting. That part? I love. The fun parts. Traveling, playing, being outside. Doing something athletic or silly or chill.

I can not pass up moments and opportunities like this. Permission to laugh, compete, and be unserious. Introducing my childhood to my children.

vintage jacks kids

The Feeling of Being a Kid Again

Having kids at this stage of my life has given me something I didn’t expect. It lets me be a kid again. Not in a fake or forced way. But in a real, organic way that snuck up on me.

Because I wasn’t just buying vintage jacks, a game. I was buying a feeling (we are all emotional shoppers on some level). I was buying time travel. Buying the version of myself that use to sit on the floor for hours and not think about productivity or responsibilities or the weight of the world.

And I need that version of me right now.