By India McCarty
Former pro surfer Bethany Hamilton encourages parents to let their kids help out — even if it leads to “chaos.”
“I’ve enjoyed inviting my children in on much of life. We are doing it together!” Hamilton wrote in an Instagram post. “Not only can it be quality time and connection but also fun!”
She then joked, “Sometimes it’s chaos too though 😆🤣”
“Overall, as a mother, I think of the qualities and skills I’d like to encourage my children in and there are many…I think the best way to instill them is showing them and doing it together!” Hamilton continued. “Helping, cooking, cleaning, caring for their health, serving others like grandma, communicating well, cleaning up after themselves, being aware of hurting others and making it right, enjoying time intentionally with family, trusting God and praying, and sooo much more!”
Related: Bethany Hamilton Cherishes Motherhood: ‘What a Gift’
Hamilton often shares messages urging fellow parents to be more present in their children’s lives.
“A gift we can give our children isn’t the perfect plan or the biggest gestures…it’s simply showing up,” she wrote in an Instagram post. “Be present. Listen. Looking in their eyes. Just showing up! Those everyday moments matter more than we realize.”
Hamilton shares four kids — sons Tobias, Wesley and Micah, and daughter Alaya — with husband Adam Dirks.
“We are all adjusting to life as a family of six,” the surfer said shortly after the 2023 birth of Alaya. “It sure is a balancing act…But we are overjoyed to share life with Alaya and our boys!”
She added, “Each child holds their own element of uncertainty as we learn who they are and how to parent them, but each is also a precious gift from God!”
In a 2018 interview with PEOPLE, Hamilton spoke about becoming a mother, sharing, “Becoming a mom is something I always knew was going to be an amazing part of my life, or at least I hoped that, but it just came so much sooner than I had anticipated.”
“It was a hard time in my life, just embracing motherhood,” she continued. “I think a lot of women struggle with it, so I thought it was really important to share the truth of that. I had a lot of fears entering into motherhood, I didn’t know what life would look like after. And I think a lot of women deal with that. I hope that it can encourage a lot of women because it is such a special gift and I’m so glad it’s my life now.”
For Hamilton, nothing is more important than spending time with her kids — no matter how chaotic it might get!
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