The return to school has caused an unexpected change in our normal family routine.
It's much more than having an earlier start to our day (my children have always been relatively early risers and with two full time working parents, their summer sleep schedule has not really changed).
But since middle school starts an hour earlier than elementary school, Mr. B is getting on the bus at our house (vs. at daycare)...before his sister is even awake. And while she is still nestled in her bed, I've been able to give him something I struggle to give him each day...my undivided attention.
During those quiet minutes of the morning, we talk about his schedule for the day, his friends and other things that are on his mind. We joke. And his hugs make my heart smile (Hugs from my tween son are a rare commodity these days. I ONLY get them when no one else is around to witness them.)
It's "OUR" time. Uninterrupted. And I love it.
And as soon as Mr. B departs for school, I venture upstairs to Miss Monkey's room to get her started on her day. We chat about her fashion selections for the day. The new friends she's made and who she'll play with at recess. When she looks at me with beaming smiles and sparkling eyes it tickles my soul.
It's "OUR" time. Uninterrupted. And I love it.
With two children, I often feel torn. Never being able to fully share myself with them before the other is demanding my attention. And with a boy and girl that are 3.5 years apart in age, they rarely want to do the same things or agree on much of anything. I often feel like a referee in a never ending tug of war.
But this time alone with each of my children (even if it's only mere minutes of our day) is refreshing. Peaceful. And something I look forward to each morning.
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8 comments:
My heart smiles . . .
Wishes really do come true!! ((hugs))
Wow! That one-on-one time in the morning sounds perfect to me! Enjoy every second! My kids are also three years apart and I often feel the same way!
I loved that the last two years when Giggles was in middle school and The Chicken still in elementary. Now they are on the same schedule leaving at roughly the same time. It is nice to see as they get older they help each other out in the mornings opposed to fighting.
What a great way to start your mornings!
My kids are 4 years apart in age, so going to different schools with different start times wasn't unusual. I liked having that one-on-one time with my kids too.
My olest had preschool in the afternoon last year, and her younger sister napped, so I didn't actually get much alone time with the little one. This year, it's morning school for the oldest. I'm so looking forward to alone time with Abs. She, too, has never had it. Obviously, she doesn't know the difference, but I do! Enjoy your mornings!
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