Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
It is so important to remember that in the midst of the hustle and bustle we have our kids for a very short time. As I continue to grow older I realize more and more how very quickly time passes. Today is the only day that our child will ever be the age that they are...tomorrow they are already a day older.
Today is the day that we are making memories, living out values for our children and even preparing for our grandchildren. The investment me make in our children today will touch generations.
If we truly put it in perspective the dishes, the laundry and the kitchen floor will be dirty again. You will always have the opportunity to clean your house and make it spotless in the future. We will never again the time lost with our kids today. They will not be this age again in the future.
What a message we send when we verbalize:
"The dishes can wait, let's play a game!"
"I will take the day off to go to your game!"
"Let's just go to the beach and play today!"
We send the message you are important, you matter! That is an amazing gift to give your children and your grandchildren. These lessons will endure through the generations in your family. You will teach them self-care and model that even as an adult you need to have fun! This is a lesson that many do not learn, a lesson that I teach adults in therapy.
I challenge you to let some of the "busy work" go. I can guarantee that the more you engage with your kids the better your relationship will be and the less stressed you will be.
Go on, get your play on!