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Like many people, I get caught up in the daily tasks that need to be done. Since my son was one, I have largely been home on a full-time basis, so I have been able to take care of errands with relative ease throughout the course of each day. However, since my son's medical diagnosis and my return to work (part-time), I have returned to that sometimes frenetic pace of getting as much done in the course of a single day as I can. Often, my son must tag along, and my poor boy ends up with more car time than play time. Amid the more hectic pace, I have slowly worked towards being less impatient with completing tasks. I have learned to intersperse play time with work time and to stop and watch my John revel in carefree play, unaware of more serious issues that worry his parents.
In August, quality time will become even more precious. Our free moments of play and cuddles will be fewer. When the new school year begins, life will bring a whole new set of errands, activities, and challenges. I was just hired for a new position and will be working full-time as a Special Ed. teacher's aide; my son will find himself attending a special pre-K program for children with disabilities. He will find himself in daycare daily and on the road more as I try to take care of errands after work that I once could complete over the course of the day. I will also continue my music rehearsals and reenter school to learn Algebra for my teacher certification exams.
However, one thing that has gradually become a ritual and will remain intact is cuddle time. Around 8:30 every evening, I gather my son in my arms, his tummy full, and his body bathed and dressed in his bed clothes. I plop the two of us into the rocker recliner, cover us up in a small throw blanket, lift up the foot rest, and cuddle with him until 9:00, when it is time for him to be tucked into bed. We watch a little TV. Sometimes, he is tired enough that he will wriggle out of my arms to reposition himself on his side and across my lap to lay down. When it is nearly 9:00, I gather him up in my arms again, get up, and carry him to his bed, tucking him in with 4 kisses on his cheek: 1 for "I love you," 1 for "Sweet dreams," 1 for "I'll see you in the morning," and 1 for "You were a good boy today." When cuddle time comes, all activity stops and everything is dropped. I only resume my tasks after John has been put to bed. As he gets older, I'm sure this ritual will change. He will deem kisses from Mommy "yucky" and will insist on going to bed on his own. For now, I will take advantage of my opportunities for holding him close. The dishes can wait...my little boy won't.
In August, quality time will become even more precious. Our free moments of play and cuddles will be fewer. When the new school year begins, life will bring a whole new set of errands, activities, and challenges. I was just hired for a new position and will be working full-time as a Special Ed. teacher's aide; my son will find himself attending a special pre-K program for children with disabilities. He will find himself in daycare daily and on the road more as I try to take care of errands after work that I once could complete over the course of the day. I will also continue my music rehearsals and reenter school to learn Algebra for my teacher certification exams.
However, one thing that has gradually become a ritual and will remain intact is cuddle time. Around 8:30 every evening, I gather my son in my arms, his tummy full, and his body bathed and dressed in his bed clothes. I plop the two of us into the rocker recliner, cover us up in a small throw blanket, lift up the foot rest, and cuddle with him until 9:00, when it is time for him to be tucked into bed. We watch a little TV. Sometimes, he is tired enough that he will wriggle out of my arms to reposition himself on his side and across my lap to lay down. When it is nearly 9:00, I gather him up in my arms again, get up, and carry him to his bed, tucking him in with 4 kisses on his cheek: 1 for "I love you," 1 for "Sweet dreams," 1 for "I'll see you in the morning," and 1 for "You were a good boy today." When cuddle time comes, all activity stops and everything is dropped. I only resume my tasks after John has been put to bed. As he gets older, I'm sure this ritual will change. He will deem kisses from Mommy "yucky" and will insist on going to bed on his own. For now, I will take advantage of my opportunities for holding him close. The dishes can wait...my little boy won't.
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