More often than not, I feel like I’m not doing “enough” as a parent. I suppose that is a highly subjective statement, but there are many times I put another show on for the kids so I can finish that last bit of work, or I “mmmhmmm” my way through another story because I’m finishing up dinner or checking Facebook on my phone. The niggling feeling of guilt about not being present enough with them during the day creeps up on me in the middle of the night, and I lay there often regretting my choices as a parent. I don’t think I’m a bad or neglectful parent by any means, but present? That’s a whole different yardstick.
This morning we woke up to a few inches of fresh snow, and the kids were instantly begging me to go outside and play. It was 30 degrees out and the sun wasn’t even up, so my knee-jerk reaction was to say no. Then I started digging through bins to find the snow clothes for them to use later today, and it struck me…
How often is it the first snow of the season?
Don’t I want to encourage my kids to love being outside?
Is it really that big of a deal if they’re wet before their Nana even gets here to bring them to school & her house?
They’re actually already fed & dressed and we have 45 minutes to kill…why not?
So out came the snowpants and jackets and boots and gloves and hats (ugh, playing outside is so much more WORK for parents when it’s cold), and amid the squeals of joy, I got them dressed and out they went, with me following close behind to take pics and laugh and their antics.
I’m not gonna lie, they were a mess by the time my MIL came and it was hectic getting them out the door. BUT, I think I made the right choice today, and I’m going to hold onto that tightly tonight when I lay in bed and think back over our day. It’s the little things, isn’t it?
More photos here if you’re interested…