Spend time with your kids
I’m on a business trip and I’ve been away from Love Buns, Sweet Cheeks and Smarty Pants for just over a week now. I’m counting the days until I see them again… only 5 more to go.
We video-chatted over Skype yesterday, and it was so nice to see them again. Even if only a digitized version, it was still nice to see their faces and smiles, and hear their voices. It made me miss them even more.
This is the first time since both kids were born that I’ve been away over a weekend, alone.
It got me thinking.
Its funny; when you have kids, there never seem to be enough hours in the day. You wish the day had 30 hours and that the kids would sleep for at least half of them. The ironic contrast is, when you’re alone, there seem to be too many hours in the day. The days seem to go on forever. Especially when you’re alone and away from your family, you just want the time to fly by so that you can together with them again sooner.
I realized that time with the family is the most precious time you have. There is nothing more important or interesting you could be doing than spending time with your partner and kids. So enjoy that time, and make the most of it. Try not to worry about the 1000 other things you could be doing or have to do.
This short poem, that I’m taking from “The 4-hour Work Week,” puts it best. I was moved by it, and I’m sure you will be too:
Slow Dance Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go round? Or listened to the rain, slapping on the ground? Ever followed a butterfly’s erratic flight? Or gazed at the sun into the fading night? You better slow down, don’t dance so fast. Time is short, the music won’t last. Do you run through each day on the fly? When you ask, “How are you?” do you hear the reply? When the day is done, do you lie in bed, with the next hundred chores running through your head? You’d better slow down, don’t dance so fast. Time is short, the music won’t last. Ever told your child, we’ll do it tomorrow? And in your haste, not see his sorrow? Ever lost touch, let a good friendship die, Cause you never had time, to call and say “Hi”? You’d better slow down, don’t dance so fast, Time is short, the music won’t last. When you run so fast to get somewhere, you miss half the fun of getting there. When you worry and hurry through your day, its like an unopened gift thrown away. Life is not a race. Do take it slower. Hear the music, before the song is over.Return to Parenting – The Dad Jam Home
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Isn’t that the truth eh, can’t wait to get a break, but can’t wait to get back to the chaos either.
Clever Father Chris´s last blog ..Sleep Regression & Babies
Hi Chris, yeah, it is ironic!
It is a daily battle to try and balance my time, family, work, play- something always suffers. But that is life, so what can you do.
Jack´s last blog ..If I Was a Professional Blogger
Hi Jack, it sure is tough. My suggestion is to prioritize the most important things, and the family and kids are definitely at the top of my list.
I think you are one sweet dad, I am not yet a father but I feel for you. One of my dream is to be a full time father and husband in the future. Also a fan of the 4-hour work week. Maybe you would like to post in some videos, a great way of preserving and documenting unforgettable memories. These guys could help you in the production
Vancouver Video Production
Hi Paul, thanks for your comment and for the tip, I’ll check it out