I used to think that I knew what "on the go" meant. Med school, residency, my first child, toddler years, working...all on the go activities. Four kids later, I now FULLY realize what ON THE GO means. Between Cross Country meets, soccer practices, school drop-off and pick-ups, Bible Study, Whole Foods, meetings, Target, haircuts, etc....we are always on the go. Fortunately, we are now finally in a routine where I can do all of the above AND have dinner on the table, most nights, anyway.
BUT, I went to the Karyn Purvis conference "Empowered To Connect" recently, and was reminded again about what it means to be fully PRESENT. My kids sitting in the back of the car, staring at the back of my head as I drive them from place to place doesn't equal fully present. Florie sitting on the floor playing quietly while I type emails doesn't equal fully present. Kids need us parents...not just to run them around only, or to reload their itunes card so they can buy apps to keep them entertained, but they need us to BE THERE. To BE AROUND. To BE AVAILABLE. For us NOT to be plugged into a computer, or ipad, or iphone, or ipod. TO be AVAILABLE AND APPROACHABLE. When that little window opens up and they are ready to share a joy, a new crush, a mean kid story, or just some silliness....they NEED us to be FULLY PRESENT.
SO, my new game is to do the required "on the Go" stuff, and limit other things....so I apologize for tardy or overlooked emails, typos, slowly returned phone calls....these will all come after the kids are in bed, or during naptime. Right now, my kids are growing up right before my eyes. And that is where I want to watch them!
Cheering at cross country for Alex
Yelling for Ben at soccer
Some fully present time at home just building Legos...ok, I watched. I am not deemed a good Lego builder anymore, sniff sniff!
He will sell it for $3 by the way
Haircut time!
Celebrating CHAMPIONSHIPS together
1 comment:
Amen!
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