With six kids, I carry constant guilt because they are always forced to make sacrifices on behalf of their siblings. Many times throughout the day, I have at least two kids needing my time and attention, and I wish so bad I could give them each exactly what they need exactly when they need it. Some examples of this include:
With that constant guilt hovering, I am constantly looking for ways to carve out special time with the kids. Sometimes, special time is really really special (like when I took Evie to Ireland for a last minute long weekend), but usually special time is something small like a trip to Starbucks or the local Jeni’s Ice Creams Shop.
The other night I had a 7:45 appointment at the Apple Store to fix my phone. I could have snuck out of the house to enjoy a few quiet minutes on my own, but the mild October night offered more. So, I whispered to Evie “put on your bike helmet and meet me in the garage.”
We pedaled down the dark city streets to the Apple Store. We then biked a block over to stop for gelato and conversation. Now that Evie is in fifth grade, she has a lot of big thoughts and observations. I’m so grateful she shared a few with me the other night.
I wish so much I had more hours in each day. More time to spend with the kids and less time spent on the running of a busy household. But, then I remember that everything I do, I do for them. Tasks as mundane as wiping down the countertops and folding laundry are, in a way, special time.
And, really, isn’t all time…special?
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