If you are a parent you probably are constantly multitasking. Helping the kids, doing household chores, keeping up with emails and preparing for the events of the day. Parenting is a constant juggling act. I have even heard stories of mothers changing diapers while driving! Ok, so maybe not (that would be pretty dangerous and messy!).
Multitasking is almost essential for parenting. But, it can also be distracting. I used to brag to my husband that my ability to multitask was much better than his tendency to compartmentalize his tasks. I could be more efficient, get more done in a shorter amount of time. But, sometimes I wish I was better at compartmentalizing. I would be better at living in the moment. I could play with my children without being distracted by the dryer buzzing taunting me with the clothes that needed folding, or my phone beeping, reminding me to return that phone call.
Because of my tendency to multitask, I have found myself saying "just a minute" a lot recently. I tell my son, "I will help you in just a minute" or "I will play with you in just a minute". I am sure he is getting as tired of hearing it as I am of saying it. On the one hand, it is important for him to learn patience and wait until I am finished with what I am doing. On the other hand, it would be nice if once in a while, I said, "yes I can do that now". And, why not? What is more important - the extra dish in the sink or that my son feels his mother has time for him?
Sometimes in parenting I feel that my children have as much to teach me about life as I have to teach them. Living in the moment is one of them. I constantly work on living in the moment. Often children force us to live in the moment - kids get hurt, break things, throw tantrums and need our help (and now!). But, as I practice living in the moment, I realize that sometimes I want to do so by choice. I want to say "yes, I can play with you now" or "yes I can help you put your shoes on now". So, join me this week in saying yes more than no, living in the moment and avoiding the phrase "just a minute".
Multitasking is almost essential for parenting. But, it can also be distracting. I used to brag to my husband that my ability to multitask was much better than his tendency to compartmentalize his tasks. I could be more efficient, get more done in a shorter amount of time. But, sometimes I wish I was better at compartmentalizing. I would be better at living in the moment. I could play with my children without being distracted by the dryer buzzing taunting me with the clothes that needed folding, or my phone beeping, reminding me to return that phone call.
Because of my tendency to multitask, I have found myself saying "just a minute" a lot recently. I tell my son, "I will help you in just a minute" or "I will play with you in just a minute". I am sure he is getting as tired of hearing it as I am of saying it. On the one hand, it is important for him to learn patience and wait until I am finished with what I am doing. On the other hand, it would be nice if once in a while, I said, "yes I can do that now". And, why not? What is more important - the extra dish in the sink or that my son feels his mother has time for him?
Sometimes in parenting I feel that my children have as much to teach me about life as I have to teach them. Living in the moment is one of them. I constantly work on living in the moment. Often children force us to live in the moment - kids get hurt, break things, throw tantrums and need our help (and now!). But, as I practice living in the moment, I realize that sometimes I want to do so by choice. I want to say "yes, I can play with you now" or "yes I can help you put your shoes on now". So, join me this week in saying yes more than no, living in the moment and avoiding the phrase "just a minute".
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