Family Time

I think as an only child, I would fantasize about what a family was.  I was raised by a single mom, basically and so never really got a good concept of what a "typical" family was.  I loved movies and watched many growing up.  I think that due to all those movies, I developed a really unrealistic idea of what "family" is. 

So now I am the single mom, but instead of just one child, I have three.  My oldest one will be starting college this fall and my youngest will be starting kindergarten!  My middle one, which is literally right in the middle, has been complaining lately about "family time".  "We don't do anything as a family anymore."  He is right.  My eldest spends her time working two jobs and on the computer.  My youngest totally enjoys just playing by himself with his toys.  My middle one is always needing my attention, and I think that is why he wants this time. 

The sad thing is that we used to do it.  But we had our own little twist.  We love to play video games, even if it is a one person game like Zelda or Spyro.  We enjoy watching and being part of that story.  We do love to play Mario Kart and those kinds as well.  So what changed?  Me.  I have the never ending "tired" issue.  There is always so much to do every day that I look forward to doing NOTHING.  I tell myself I "deserve" it, and maybe I do.  But....the truth of the matter is that soon, he won't care anymore and I will be chasing after him to spend time with me like I have to do with my eldest.  And just down the road, my youngest will be all I have left and he will probably not care either.  I just need to bite the bullet and treasure this time.  I need to make "family time"...tired or not.  I want my kids to tell their kids about the fun they had growing up.  I want them to carry on traditions I started.  That isn't going to happen, if I don't start them...or stop doing them. 

Eh...I can sleep after they all leave the nest.   :)   Thanks for stopping by, reader.


Addie Rose <3