Fridays have been free days with one or more kids for the past 4 years...and before that I often had a free day with the kids at least 1 day a week. It's been a special time and I've really enjoyed these days where we can be lazy, go on a trip, have time to play games, bake, go grocery shopping etc. I will admit there have been some Fridays where I've just really needed some quiet time at home and I've sent the boys to pre-school anyway, or I've kept with my decision and had them home and acutally been blessed with getting more energy from having the special time and doing fun things with them or on the other end been in tears most of the day. Regardless, it has been a wonderful opportunity and tradition.
That being said, I'm in the last 2 months of this phase. Liam starts school in August, and then I won't be able to have these special weekdays with him or any of the boys. I know we'll find alternative times to spend together, and they are done with school most days at 12.30, so I definitely still have time with the boys even though they go to school, which I'm very happy about.
I remember asking one of my dear friends, whose youngest daughter was about to start school in 2018, if she was feeling okay with the whole situation. I will never forget her answer. She said "Yes, I am, I have used my time with her well, and I have no regrets." This response made me look at my own life situation, and if I'd be able to say the same thing in 2022 when Liam was about to start school. Some months later I made a drastic decision to stop working for 1½ years, where I had Liam home for a lot of that time, and then only working 15 hours a week the past 1½ years.
It can definitely be hard at times. I miss having lots of colleagues and being able to be more social during the day. I struggle to remain patient when all 3 kids - and now a dog - are needing me for something at the same time, or are just in bad moods and not talking very respectfully. I get sick of doing the dishes, again again, and feeling like I'm just a cleaning up, making food, machine. But as I reflect on the time, I find myself being grateful. Grateful for having support to make the decision I did in 2018 to be home with my kids a lot more. Grateful that by the grace of God, I have strength every day to stay present in the difficult situations with the kids whether it be talking about screen time usage, friends and kindness, why playing outside is necessary, EVERY DAY, or just seeing them when they need a hug or an ear to listen after a hard day at school. I can honestly say "I have no regrets" and today I needed to remind myself of that, as the tears were rolling down my face, knowing this Friday Free dag is one of the last.
Here are some pictures from a little adventure time with Liam last friday.
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