Sunday, February 6, 2011

Screw the To-Do List

Kids have been sick, people have been cranky, and the laundry has taken over! In light of my desire to eat bad food all day, drink some wine, and cuddle with my 5 dudes while we diligently watch hours of pre-game and then the Super Bowl, I am going to re-post (I think this is becoming a theme!!) a previous post that I really liked...it even got the stamp of approval from my 12 year old (which is a really big deal!!).

Seize the Moment

I know. I know- "seize the moment"- what a cliche. But I've decided I need to do just that. I don't normally think of my day in "moments"; it's more of a "to-do" list and "schedule of events". Dishes-check; laundry-check; dusting-check; prepare supper-check; pick-up from cross country and deliver to soccer-check. Very often I get all caught up in what I have to do, what I have to get done, where do I need to be......that I have forgotten that my most important item on my "to-do" list has absolutely nothing to do with the state of my laundry, the cleanliness of my home, or what time I need to chauffeur my kids. No, my most important job - or privilege- is making the most of my moments with my boys.

I have to confess that I quite often, put my kids off to do "just one more thing". I make them try to tell me their super important story while I switch the laundry and then run upstairs to check supper. But when I am speaking to them, I require their undivided attention and eyes to be looking into mine. Shouldn't I offer the same consideration back to the ones who are the MOST important to me?? Of course the answer is yes, and of course I believe that. But why is it so easy to make my children wait for my attention while I scurry to pick up toys, rotate laundry, brown the hamburger, and (gasp) check my email!?

Shame on me, shame on me, indeed. My children are my greatest accomplishment, blessing, and responsibility. My mother has always told me that my children will never remember if the house was dirty or the dishes weren't washed. What they will remember is playing (another) game of Candyland, taking time to play Frisbee- even if it is chilly out, listening to my son tell me about "this really cool thing that happened at school", or sitting down to read a story that my child has been begging me to do all day. Those are the moments my boys will grow up and remember.

So the next time my kiddo is following me around trying to tell me his story, I'm going to STOP what I'm doing and look him in the eye...because I really do care and want to know...and it makes him feel important and loved. My 11 year old is on the verge of trying to become a man, and I have limited moments where he is going to chase me down trying to tell me about his day. My 7 year old isn't going to want to sing me his songs from music class forever- I need to listen now. My 4 year old isn't going to carry a Frisbee around all day for too much longer waiting for me to take 10 minutes to play with him. And my 2 year old isn't going to want me to "hold you" (that's how he says he wants held) forever. My little boys are growing up. I only get to have them in my grasp for a short time. So today....I'm going to "seize the moment" and make it count.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Love this :) I think it must be sentimental Sunday. I am in the same frame of mind!

Anonymous said...

Love this post :) We should call this sentimental sunday..i am in the same frame of mind today.

Ashley said...

I'm so guilty of this! Great reminder. Enjoy the day with the boys! I hope everyone feels better soon! XO

Liz Mays said...

I think you're doing the perfect thing! You will never regret seizing the moment like that.

Mandee said...

Great post!
We also spent the day doing pretty much the same thing. I have overindulged way to much on food this weekend and really need to get my workout going this next week! Ugh!

Teresa said...

I hope everyone is feeling better in your household. Thankfully with the 4 day "lock down" with all the bad weather, no one here was able to get out but my dear hubby. That was time well spent with my lil dude (4 yrs old) as the power was "rolling" through some "brownouts" so we worked on puzzles, played board games, and chatted and told stories...or more like he did.
I left you some "love" on my blog so check it out!

Johi said...

Great reality check! I know this but I too am so guilty. We have to squeeze 'em while they will still allow it! ;-)

Tales of a Hockey Wife said...

Love this post, as I sit right now, my 3 year old is tugging at my feet. I know he is just tired, but it is a reminder to stop what I am doing for that needed cuddle. There will be a day he won't want one!

Signing off to cuddle!

Cheers!