“Carry me, Daddy” “You’re a big boy, Charlie. You can walk by yourself.” “Daddy, can we watch a movie together tonight?” “It’s too late to start a movie. Just go play until bedtime.” “Hey, Dad. We need another guy for a pick-up game. Can you play?” “I’m busy, Charlie. Close my office door, will you?”
Time spent with our children when they are young is another example of time spent wisely and well.
When I was first on my own with the girls, after a very traumatic end to my marriage, I put us into counseling. At the getting to know you session, she asked the girls how they got time to talk with me. When they said they just ask, she worded her question another way. She asked what if I was reading or watching TV and they looked at her confused... and said we just sit down and start talking. You see, when they were small, I was watching a TV evangelist, not one I was fond of or ever watched before or again, so I guess the message was meant for me. He said when your kids want to talk to you, put down the book or paper, turn off the TV, wake up! The book and paper will wait for you, the show will run on reruns but that moment with your child, if you lose it, will be lost forever. And even now, with them grown and mothers themselves, they only need to call. There is nothing more important than being their mom. Sure, there were moments I couldn't be interrupted but because I was so readily available, they never were concerned about having to wait. Also, I never tried to be their friend. I decided they'd have hundreds, if not thousands, of friends in their lifetime but they would ever only have one mom. I know life could have turned out differently and they could have had a stepmom but for me this is how it worked out and I've never regretted one moment lost to them. Clearly, I think this story carries a very important message. Thank you for writing it.
Time spent with our children when they are young is another example of time spent wisely and well.
When I was first on my own with the girls, after a very traumatic end to my marriage, I put us into counseling. At the getting to know you session, she asked the girls how they got time to talk with me. When they said they just ask, she worded her question another way. She asked what if I was reading or watching TV and they looked at her confused... and said we just sit down and start talking. You see, when they were small, I was watching a TV evangelist, not one I was fond of or ever watched before or again, so I guess the message was meant for me. He said when your kids want to talk to you, put down the book or paper, turn off the TV, wake up! The book and paper will wait for you, the show will run on reruns but that moment with your child, if you lose it, will be lost forever. And even now, with them grown and mothers themselves, they only need to call. There is nothing more important than being their mom. Sure, there were moments I couldn't be interrupted but because I was so readily available, they never were concerned about having to wait. Also, I never tried to be their friend. I decided they'd have hundreds, if not thousands, of friends in their lifetime but they would ever only have one mom. I know life could have turned out differently and they could have had a stepmom but for me this is how it worked out and I've never regretted one moment lost to them. Clearly, I think this story carries a very important message. Thank you for writing it.
That's really special, thanks for that image.