Peppa

I saw them hanging on the rack in front of me.

Peppa Pig pyjamas.

Pink and sparkly.

I wanted to get them for Louisa.

She needed new pyjamas and she loves Peppa Pig.

I looked down for her size carefully, searching through the rows and rows of pyjamas.

I couldn’t see her size.

It wasn’t there.

I looked up…

‘Children’s clothes up to 7 years’ read the sign.

So no Age 8 Peppa Pig pyjamas.

I took a deep breath.

I’d forgotten.

I’d forgotten that most eight year old girls do not like Peppa Pig anymore.

What are they into? I’m not sure I really know.

Because I have a wonderful eight year old who isn’t like most other eight year olds.

I took another deep breath.

But this time, I didn’t get upset. I didn’t go back to my car and sob into my hands.

I’ve done that before, but this time I didn’t do that.

Because…

It doesn’t hurt like it did.

Because now I remind myself to only focus on what Louisa likes and what brings her joy. To stop getting sad about the things that really don’t matter.

I’ve learnt what to be sad about.

Sure there is a sting – the sting doesn’t go away – but that sting eases much quicker than it did.

I’ve learnt that Louisa’s happiness is the only thing that matters. Not my made up expectations from a life I naively envisioned before I was blessed with beautiful her.

And yes, I’m annoyed that those particular Peppa Pig pyjamas didn’t go up to her size. She would have liked them. She would have looked really sweet in them.

But no, I’m not annoyed that Louisa still likes Peppa Pig.

I’m grateful for Peppa.

That pig brings my daughter joy every single day.

And that’s all I care about.

And that’s all I want.

Happiness.

So, I’m just reminding you that with some things, time really does heal.

Time does teach you what to care about, what to shed your tears over.

For me, there have been so many wasted tears over the years.

And I’m telling you, from experience, don’t waste your tears over Peppa.

And this time I’m especially grateful that I didn’t because my mum (always on a mission to get her girls what they want) found Louisa some Peppa Pig pyjamas in Age 8.

Louisa is happily wearing them tonight.

Life is good.

And my daughter is wonderful.

So please remember…

It’s ok to cry. I promise you I’ve done a lot of that.

But don’t waste your tears.

You will always find a way, you will always find your happy.

And…..

Age 8 Peppa Pig pyjamas exist.