My Kids Taught Me A Very Valuable Lesson

I have a confession to make. I love working at home, but because I can't stand to just sit still and do nothing (which drives my family crazy) and I also can't stand to stop working when there is still work to do. . . I think I am a bit of a workaholic. I don't ignore my family or my responsiblities, but I have failed in the sense that being a mom isn't always about cleaning, making dinner, or getting school done. Believe me those things get done. I always thought that my kids should be sick of me, because they are homeschooled and with me all the time. I failed to realize that my kids need me to be a mom that can have fun, get away, leave work behind and just have a great time with them.

After working crazy hours through the weekend, I needed to get them out. Now, the challenge in this is trying to please them all with one activity that is appropriate for them all. So I had this great idea to go paint pottery. The girls loved the idea, but poor Kaleb moaned. "Mom, that's a girl thing." I told him that we would go to the store he was wanting to go to, but that just wasn't enough. He wanted to stay home. Nope! Not going to happen. Everyone get in the car, no complaining, just go. So off we went with much apprehension. We started with lunch at Sonic (their favorite), went to the store Kaleb wanted to go to, then to Artist For A Day to paint. I told them that they could paint anything they wanted, however they wanted. . . just try to have some fun.

Well, by the end of the day (and we were out all day), each one of my kids told me how much fun they had. Sami said that painting was so relaxing. Kaleb said, "Thanks Mom, I really had fun". And Gracie was just sad that she couldn't stay and keep painting. We then came home and all played together in the back yard. At the end of the day, my kids thanked me, hugged me and told me that they like to hang out with me. I almost cried.

So I learned that quantity time in no way equals quality time. They need more than just my presence. They need my attention. They need me to laugh with them, play with them no matter what their age is and most of all love on them.

My children are a blessing of the best kind. I need to cherish and honor those blessings. That night I thanked the Lord for teaching me this lesson. My husband and kids are far more important than any Shimmerz order. I again had to get my priorities straight, and I have. I will make it one of my highest priorities to have fun with my kids.

I know this post is really wordy, but it's my hope that it will touch your heart as it did mine.