A couple years ago I bought myself a 2009 car. It was the first car I ever owned and I wanted it to be more reliable than the 1997 Buick I was currently driving. My favorite feature? XM Radio.
But now I’m about to cancel my XM subscription because when I’m bopping my head to my favorite song of the moment, I miss out on the exchanges like this in the backseat:
Ayanna: I want to be a nurse when I grow up, just like Nana.
Thomas: I want to be a doctor when I grow up. I have to go to doctor college.
Ayanna: You can’t go to doctor college until you are much, much taller. Like taller than Mommy.
I’ve found one way to slow down and enjoy the moment is to simply listen to my kids’ chatter in the car. I’m always on the go, it seems. I’m running to pick up my kids, going to the grocery store, sprinting every week to class. I’m always two days behind on schoolwork, or housework, or work-work. And I now realize I don’t give my kids my full attention as often as I should. Yes, as a benefit of working from home, I see my kids much more. I haven’t done the math, but it’s about 70% percent more now. And most of that time is still spent doing other things. When did my life get so busy that my kids have to tug on my shirt to get me to turn around to pay attention to them? Granted, when I do focus on them, my focus is totally on them. My phone stays on the counter, the laptop is closed and I’m not multitasking with any other chore.
But sometimes I wish the laundry did itself and money just appeared in my bank account at will. I love those two kids and my actions need to show them that they are always going to be my priority. So a few changes:
- Get back to the one-on-one kid dates. We used to go on two kid dates a month, where my husband and I would each take one kid out and spend a few hours with them. Then we’d switch. It was fun because my kids really turn into different (calmer) versions of themselves when they’re not playing off the energy of their sibling.
- Work on a family schedule. I need to know when I’m supposed to be working and when I need to be having family time. Because currently, I’m trying to do both simultaneously and it’s not working. At all.
- Find some room in the budget (sigh) to sign the kids up for an activity. Whether it’s swimming lessons or dance classes, it’s something they can do that will boost their self-confidence and it’ll be something that I have to be fully present for.
On a scale of 1-10 (10 being highest), how busy do you feel most days? Am I the only one feeling the time crunch?
I totally know what you mean. I just feel like life is going by so fast & I’ve hardly had time to enjoy it with the kids. Glad we have a trip coming up & we can make awesome memories together.
I think I’m at about a 5.5, but the day still goes by pretty fast. Because it’s just the two of us, we like to unwind together at the end of our days. After homework is done, we have dinner and a movie, or we’ll cuddle with a book. Some kind of activity that gives us that extra closeness and time together. And then there are the times when we need to be apart, lol. I recently signed her up for a Girls Rock Camp that she loves, and we spend time talking about the instrument that she’s learning.
Right now I feel like I’m between a 7 and a 9 most days and I don’t like feeling like I’m always giving my kids my “leftovers.” It helps that my son goes to school where I work, so I can take him to lunch during the day etc. to spend extra time with him, but like you I’m in the process of some schedule evaluation.
On a busy scale – I’m going to have to give that an 8 or 9. The multitasking skills are realllllly being put to the test. I try to create opportunities within opportunities. Laundry time is also a game time with my daughter who currently loooooooves doing laundry… We make it a game and a learning time too…
I feel like at a 8 or 9. It’s tough because I don’t want her to feel neglected so I try to include her in cooking and cleaning. I also try to read a lot to her when I’m tired so that we can both relax.
Totally depends on the day. Some days, we don’t even get out our jammies, and some days, I just want to cry.
Probably an 8. I work from home, have 2 kids 3 and under, 8 months pregnant, and I have a husband. Sometimes I just “feel” busy because there is so much to be done, even when I’m not actively busy. I actually do better when I’m “busy” / doing something. I like progress. Sitting around just makes me tired and frustrated.
By the way when you figure out how to make money just appeared in your bank account at will, please let me know. LOL