Summary: Stephen Covey also said: "When parents see their children's problems as opportunities to build the relationship instead of as negative, burdensome irritations, it totally changes the nature of parent-child interaction. Parents become more willing, even excited, about deeply understanding and helping their children. . ." This is not easy. Being a parent is hard! Sometimes I just need a little "me" time, amiright?! There is definitely a place for proper self-care as a parent, but I think we are also asked to make a lot of sacrifices that require putting our kids before ourselves sometimes. But it is so important to remember that our children are NOT a distraction, they are the purpose. It's important to establish a family culture where our kids feel like we are available to them, to listen, and to teach. I once heard about this mom whose kids knew they were loved because they always felt as though she "delighted" in them. She took notice of what they were doing and she delighted in them. In one of my favorite stories about being available to our kids, Mary Ann Johnson talked about when her little daughter kept coming to her and interrupting a project she was working on. She kept coming in, and Mary Ann kept appeasing her superficially and sending her on her way. Finally, she had done this so many times that she decided that if it happened again this little daughter was going to get a scolding. But then, just as she heard her coming back, she felt a thought come into her mind that she should give her little daughter a hug and tell her that she loved her. So she did. She held that little daughter for just a moment, looked into her eyes and said, I love you. That was the last time the daughter interrupted her project that day because all she really needed was to know that her mom was available to her and that she loved her. That was all she needed. How often to we really see our kids, and just love them for who they are? They are sons and daughters of God, and they have been entrusted to our care. What a privilege. What an honor.
