Of the 3 shifts that make up our day, morning, afternoon and night, I am once again reminded just how important the afternoon shift is. You know that crazy time from about 3:30pm till about 7pm? (If you're a parent, I KNOW you know this time ;)
The crossroads of the day. The time that everyone is returning home and coming together after being apart for the day.
The time that babies are waking up, toddlers are getting cranky, kids are coming home from school. Those hours when everyone seems extra tired, sibling rivalry is at its peak and everyone is quote "starving to death" (seriously If Zahn doesn't get food into his little body asap after school, a meltdown is imminent :)
This is the time that REALLY counts. The time I can't afford to be distracted with 'stuff'. The time I need to be on top of things, because if I'm not, these important hours may not be what they NEED to be.
It's the time for listening and REALLY hearing what went on in the day of our kids. Who did what to who and who said what to so and so and who......ok you get the idea. It's the time for hearing things that are important in the minds of our little ones.
The time for reassuring our kids that they are safe and loved in our homes. It's the time for regrouping and catching up after being away from each other. A time to play and laugh and sit together during homework and time to just be together.
When things are organised (and I'm not distracted) this time is what it should be. When things are not organised (and I am distracted)......I think we all know what happens during "those hours" :)
All it took was 1 night out of the last 5 to remind me of this critical time and exactly what it needs to be.
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5 comments:
ooooo so true!! cause I often make dinner at lunch time and *sometimes* kids are occupied with computer, homework, playing outside I'll take the time to sit at the computer (and do nothing) but i really shouldnt cause meltdowns are always imminent!! and my girls are pyscho tooo until they get some food into them.. the fights!! lol
lovely thoughts felicity. I find it a real challenge some days when I am tired to 'save' my energy for that afternoon shift. Some days it also feels like a long shift and it is exhausting but, so important to our cherubs. Love the picture of the kids too - just gorgeous!
oooh, did you go to that fireside with Sister Beck? It was really good and thats exactly what she was talking about. Good things to think about for when I have a clan of my own :)
Ami-lee I did! It was so good and EXACTLY what I needed! I have another post brewing from that night :) here's a link to another talk she gave which pretty much covered the same stuff she spoke to us on
http://lds.org/library/display/0,4945,9118-1-5187-1,00.html
oh and I got your GORGEOUS clips today! we were very excited! the packaging - so gorgeous! I'm going to blog about that too :)
You've written these thoughts so well. I find that afternoon shift SO hard, because I'm tired too. I was just thinking this week how I needed to be plugged in more and more organised.
Got any tips on how to make it all more successful and meaningful and happy?? Would love any advice as we begin prep and throw and new baby into the mix next year.
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