Tuesday, September 16, 2008

It's Okay to Play!

I had this thought as I laid down to bed last night (you know...when all the Mommy Guilt sets in).

How long will my kids be asking me to "play" with them?

Yesterday, when I got home from work my older girls wanted to throw the football around. This is something I usually like to do, but I had a newsletter to finish for the PTO and various other emails to respond to. It didn't dawn on me that I could've done all that after they went to bed.

I felt like I missed an opportunity. More then just playing, but an opportunity to connect with them after our day apart. Sure, we still talked and had dinner together, but I just had this sense I missed the chance to make a memory.

Next time I'm asked to "play" I will be sure to prioritize and remember that opportunities like that don't last forever. Whether it is Candy Land or football, our kids grow up and we'll miss the days of getting excited over the Gramma Nut card!

3 comments:

Promises said...

I know what you are saying - it is sometimes hard to balance everything, but lately I have been trying to play more, b/c like you said, those days will not always be here - and I do not want to miss them! :)

Anonymous said...

I am so guilty of this. I do much better if my son and I make our schedule when we get up instead of just letting the day unfold. Then we both know what to expect and things go much more smoothly!

Hands-Free Heart said...

I have a lot of trouble in this area. And when I do play, I have trouble focusing on the play as I'm thinking about what I'm not accomplishing elsewhere, instead of recognizing the value of what I am accomplishing by spending time with my boys in their worlds.