Last week, during the shuffle and chaos of getting 4 people ready to spend 4 days 2 different places, I spent an entire morning with my two year old without even “doing” anything with her.
I made sure I was in the same room with her (mostly) but while she was playing a puzzle in my room, I folded laundry. While she painted watercolors at the kitchen table, I did the dishes. When she played in the front yard, I cleaned out my car. I settled her in to watch a video, and I jumped on the elliptical machine and tried to squeeze in a workout.
As I was trying to motivate her to get out the door to leave to pick up her sister from school, I realized I hadn’t really done anything with her today. I’d just worked around her.
I forget daily that my long days with her are numbered. These are days when I get to pick what we do together – I enjoy her company all day long. And so often, I slide her to the side to get done the things I think are more important. Or I somehow equate “playing” with her to a non-productive or lazy time.
I try to make her promise me that she’ll never go to school or that she’ll never get big. Even at two she’s too smart to do that.
What I need to do is promise her that I’ll live in her moments better, not my own.
I just wrote a post that was similar to this in sentiment. Good for you that you are so aware. I would hate for myself to get so caught up…and in 10 years to go….”WAIT?!?! When did all this “growing up” happen? Where was I?”
I agree… or, to make her moments your moments.
i love this…so true. i need to start thinking of this play time as my most productive part of the day.
My daughter Danica just turned one and so she is needing me to be more present with the blocks or little people or whatever–talking and singing and just BEING. I find myself so distracted by the house and my work (I work from home 30 hours a week), emails and blogging and phone calls. This really challenged me to make time with JUST her FOR her (even though I am with her ALL day). Blessings!
Convicting, as always, Sarah.
Yes, I agree!
Thanks for posting Sarah…. was convicting for me to think about…. and your posting will make a difference in how I spend my tomorrow! Thank you!!!
gulp…guilty
I do this, too. Then I realize I haven’t sat down to listen and play. I’m going to go have some special time with my little Jason right now!
Looking forward to hearing about your trip to Boston! Hope you had a wonderful time!
Hmmm.
That hurts.
Right there with you.
Ugh. I haven’t been a very good blogging friend lately. My bloglines show 24 unread posts. So sorry.
I am taking the time to catch up now. You sure are worth it!
happens far too often when i get caught up in my “to do” lists and don’t do their “to do” list.
I struggle with this all the time with sweet Will. And I remember when Richie headed off to school, I wondered if I’d spent enough time with him. Quality time is so hard to come by when there is always so much to do. I try to comfort myself with the reminder that I honestly don’t remember my Mom “playing” with me that much, but I always remember her being there.
As usual, I could pretty much cut and paste this onto my blog. I always look back at those days and shake my head at myself.