By India McCarty
Former pro surfer Bethany Hamilton encourages parents to be present for the little moments with their children.
“Being present with our children matters,” she wrote in an Instagram post. “It’s not about getting it all right. It’s about showing up consistently…especially with our attention and not always with a phone in hand.”
Hamilton continued. “Listening. Being curious. Opening our ears when they rant about things they are excited about. Those little moments, I imagine, matter more than we realize.”
“Presence matters more than perfection. Keep showing up, keep listening, and keep being there,” she concluded. “It all adds up.”
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Related: Bethany Hamilton Cherishes Motherhood: ‘What a Gift’
While Hamilton has plenty going on in her own life, she has previously spoken about being involved in her kids’ lives.
“Even though I do a lot, I also feel like I’m still a full-time mom,” she told Hawai’i Magazine. “The only time they’re not with me is when I’m out in the ocean, pretty much. They just are a part of our life very thoroughly and just come along for the ride.”
The surfer shares Tobias, 10, Wesley, 7, Micah, 4, and Alaya, 2, with husband Adam Dirks.
“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,” Hamilton told PEOPLE in 2018. “I had a lot of fears entering into motherhood, I didn’t know what life would look like after.”
Hamilton often shares her thoughts on motherhood and the importance of family.
“Family is God’s greatest gift, and the older I get, the more I see just how true that is,” she wrote in a recent Instagram post. “Life moves fast, and it’s easy to get caught up in the chaos, but the quiet moments with family, the laughter, the hugs, the shared sunsets, these are the moments that truly matter.”
In a 2021 post, Hamilton reflected on the ups and downs of parenthood, writing, “Mom life. Not always smiles. The balance. The ups and downs. The the most beautiful gift but also so incredibly challenging.”
“Sleep deprivation. They cry. They stretch us mentally and emotionally. I cry,” she listed, then added, “But then they smile and coo and nurse sweetly.”
Hamilton continued, “Thankful for this life and the beauty of motherhood. Thankful for my family, friends, my husband and boys. Grateful to God to have this beautiful challenge and joy. You got this mom and dads out there!!! Stay positive.”
Hamilton’s recent post is a reminder that, for kids, all that really matters is having their parents be present with them.
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