There has been considerable kerfuffle concerning the “Enjoy it now” sentiment that parents so often receive. Grandparents and (usually) those with teenagers look back at the beginning years and realize that they went by really fast, and so they encourage people to savor every moment. There have been a few good blogs about carpe diem, seizing the moment and not necessarily love every moment of parenthood.
Here is what I like about parenthood. Not a moment is wasted.
In America we are obsessed with productivity. Looking busy and being busy are virtues. We have a culture that values always being “on”. And if something doesn’t get done then what I’d like to call the Laziness confessional is sure to follow. It consists of someone saying “Well I didn’t do X because I’m lazy”
When it comes to parenthood I have been struck by the fact that time is never wasted.
Did you spend time working? Good, you got that bit out of the way, Did you clean the house? Nice to be able to sneak that in (well that’s how it exists for me LOL), You spend time on yourself or doing nothing? Great! How often does that happen… Got a babysitter to go out? Wonderful, it saves time and negotiation to go on dates with your spouse….Spend Time Getting Extra Sleep? Truly Wonderful, after all extra sleep is such a blessing when your a parent.
Spend time playing with your kid? Amazing!
I have learned, when my children ask me to play, to try to say yes. Its so, so, so, so, so easy to say no to a child’s game. Its so easy to realize when the child is asking a. all the things you should be doing b. all the thing you’d rather be doing c. that it’s hard work to play child’s games
But when I’m approached to play, I try to say yes–and sure enough, its not long until I’m totally into it, and enjoy it too!
“Mom will you play Pokemon?”<–almost six yr old
“Mommy-Monster?”<–four yr old
::Sit & Snuggle & do nothing” <–two yr old.
Because in parenting, I’m finding it hard to see anything as a waste of time.
I believe in playgrounds... 