The To Do List Will Always Be Around, But Your Kids Won’t
Read more about: Family and Friends, Parenting, Time Stress, Work-Life Balance
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Yesterday I tried to cram in all of the tasks that should’ve been done over the long weekend: Sort the kids clothes (yes, I’m still doing that dreadful chore), clean out the garage, load after load of laundry, clean the refrigerator, and complete the school forms that have been on my counter for a week, not to mention the work I want to do.
Instead of doing those tasks over the weekend, we . . .
Played tennis with the girls.
Went to the park with my Dad.
Hosted a neighborhood playdate with all the fixings including water balloons, a slip-n-slide, and popsicles.
Went letterboxing with our girls and their friends.
Last night when I was kicking myself for perpetuating the vicious cycle, I had a thought that put everything into perspective for me . . .
The to do list will always be around, but my kids won’t be.
While the thought of my kids leaving home normally brings me to tears, this time it didn’t. It made me feel better knowing that the time I spent playing with my girls all weekend was time well spent. Yes, I’m paying for it now, but it was worth the price because it won’t be too long before they don’t want to hang out with mommy and daddy. And this appropriate developmental phase happens years before they leave home. 
So the next time I’m stressed because I spent more time playing than working, I’m going to remind myself that regardless of how many things are left on my to do list, it was time well spent.
Shannon Hutton draws on her experience working full-time, part-time and from home with three kids to blog about the universal challenge of achieving work-life balance. She also uses her Master's in Education and professional experience as a School Counselor to address parenting and school issues in her weekly 
I completely agree! I’m going to have to really work hard this summer at NOT just sitting in front of the computer all day. I’m going to have to say NO to things, because if I don’t, the summer will fly by and I’ll have wasted all that time with my kids. Ryan is 11, he won’t want to hang out with me for much longer.
Letterboxing sounds like a great summer activity, thanks for the idea!
Elizabeths last blog post..Wordless Wednesday-BLTs for Lunch
Treasure those moments you choose to have with your family; nobody ever whispered in deep regret on their deathbed, oh….if only my house were neater!
Glad you had such a super weekend!
Best wishes, Barbara
Barbara Lings last blog post..When life bruises you, decorate it with a happy face and rebound
so true. I often put my to do list before my kids. But they are so important to me.Being organized is nothing to having memories with my children!
That sounds (and looks) like an awesome weekend! Definitely much more fun than ‘the list’ would’ve been. And I so agree with you that everything but the kids can wait. Something which I have to remember to keep in mind this summer.
Deb - Mom of 3 Girlss last blog post.."C’mere gooses!"
Great pictures! Wonderful memories that will last a life time.
Kellys last blog post..Wordless Wednesday
Those are some great shots! And thanks for reminding me I have a couple of letterboxes to hide!
Mycrazylifes last blog post..Reflector Goodness!
Hey, I wrote a similar entry earlier this week at my personal blog.
http://atypicalife.net/blog/2008/05/26/how-i-do-it-all/
I am also STILL dragging out the kids summer clothes and putting away the winter clothes,it is a huge project every season! i feel like i need a whole weekend to do it. Looks like a Great weekend you had. I have a questions all of this talk about so much to do and so little time and you plan to have another one, do you ever worry that another baby will just be more to do and less time to do it?? i ask because i am in the same situation i have an 8,6 and 1 year old, i would love 1 more but think sometimes i cant even keep up with what needs to be done with the 3 never mind another one, i can handle the kids i have enough love and patience for them it is what goes along with them such as laundry and everything else. Please give me your reasoning to this. I also feel so torn between the 3 sometimes, like the baby gets the most attention and i worry with another 1 i wouldnt be able to spread myself enough for them, how do you feel about this dilema as well??? Help, THanks Missy
And the kids will remember the time you spent with them.
I let my house get dirty– after all, there will be plenty of time to clean when the kids stop leaving footprints.
Karen Putz / DeafMoms last blog post..Deaf American Gladiator Competitor Wins!
Amen!
Love DAD
I found your blog site (seeking balance in my own life!) and love your writing. I would love to hear how you handle juggling the age gap between your older two girls and your younger one. I have three boys, ages 7, 5, and 3 mos., and I am curious about how you handle the age difference…. do you bring your younger daughter along with your everywhere the big girls go, or do you find your family goes in different directions? (i.e. Baby is left behind with one parent or a sitter.) So far, we’ve been taking baby along just about everywhere, and I would prefer to stay together as a family, however, that is not always practical. Any advice for how you handle this would be great!
Thanks, Michele
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