I Chose Wisely and Had Fun Too

As a mother I make choices every day that affect my children.

Should I fold the laundry or read to the kids? Put them in front of the TV so I can have some quiet time or build towers and play games with them? Stay inside and get stuff done or go outside and play? Work extra hours to advance at work or invest those hours in Juliana, Ruslan and Wyatt?

I’m certainly not perfect but I try to make the choices that are best for them. That means leaving parties earlier than I would like so they get to bed at a decent hour and planning weekend activities around nap time so they are happy the rest of the day. I cancelled a business trip at the last minute last year because Ruslan was sick and I didn’t feel right leaving him. I missed out on some key networking opportunities and spent the day snuggling a sick toddler instead – I don’t regret that decision. At the end of the day I want my children to know that they are important to me. I want to be the one to hear about the great day that they had and I want to be the one to console them when it didn’t turn out the way they expected.

On Saturday I suggested to Scott that he take the boys to the park after their nap so I could get some things done. He replied that we should all go to Blue Slide Park instead. My Dad took these 2 pictures and when he sent them to me he asked who was having more fun, me or Ruslan.

I would have been happy just watching Ruslan – he smiled and laughed the whole time he was sliding and he ran in circles at the bottom of the slide watching others. Getting to join in his fun was even better.

These pictures may not be perfect (moving children combined with the sun setting on our fun), but all you need to see is those smiles to know that everyone had a great time.

I stayed up later than I wanted Saturday night to scrub the kitchen floor, but I’m really glad I didn’t stay home from the park to get it done earlier in the day.