When Quantity Drowns Quality

This past year I have really struggled to spend enough quality time with my kids.  A hectic work schedule coupled with lots of extracurricular activities had us in “getting to the next thing” mode.  I did my best to carve out time at bedtime when possible or plan a special activity a few times a month with each child individually, but this was still a challenge.  Most days I found myself feeling like I was missing out on memories with them.  

Enter global pandemic mode.  Wow, talk about turning 180°!  At first it was the huge adjustment and figuring out what we were being told to do (and mostly not do).  Days were a free for all, and trying new things was fun.  Then it shifted to school and my attempt to devise a schedule that got the learning done but also tried to make it fun.  I’m giving myself a C+ on that area!  But lately I’m finding us all doing our own thing again.  We are together so much that we are naturally drifting away, doing what our own interests or obligations demand.  This is a curious time for me, because I once again feel like I’m not spending enough quality time together with my boys.  They have different interests, and now being able to go out and do something with them individually is severely limited.  Everyone is sick of biking and rollerblading.  No one wants to play sports unless it’s with their friends that they severely miss.  I need to work on finding my summer connection activities!  

One thing I have been working on is getting bedtime back under control.  It’s slightly counter-intuitive given it’s summer, and in Michigan it doesn’t get dark until 9:30pm.  However, this is the time that I get their attention.  It’s the time they will actually sit and listen to me read.  It’s the time when they want to talk about what’s on their mind and tell me about their day.  It’s the time I get unlimited snuggles and kisses.  Of course they don’t want to go to sleep so it’s always “1 more”, but it’s the sweetest time even as they get older.  Unfortunately I don’t have all the answers, but I’m finding that investing in making this time special is an investment worth making.  

Smile Generously, Snuggle Often!