Making Time for What Matters

The holidays are finally over. They are always a very special time of the year despite how hectic and stressful they can be. Once they are over and times get calmer, I always find myself thinking about the year that passed and how I could have made it a better year for my family, friends and myself. Inevitably, it always comes back to "more time should have been spent with family and friends".  Work takes up so much of our lives. For those of us fortunate enough to have jobs, we work at least 8 hours a day. As mothers, our day doesn't end with that because most of us still have to make dinner, take care of kids and all those endless chores. Even if we have jobs, we all worry about whether those jobs will continue to be there so, usually, if overtime is needed we agree to it. Those who are currently not working are just as busy going on interviews and looking for jobs. Being New Yorkers, we are used to this lifestyle. Nevertheless, it doesn't change the fact that I feel I haven't made as much of an effort to spend time with those that mean so much to me. In the end, this is what matters most anyway. So, to my friends and family, be warned. I am going to be calling you guys to come over so I can cook for you, be around you and have fun with you. If the thought of my cooking turns you off, we could, of course, go out to eat, the movies,etc. Whatever the activity, I would like to look back at the end of this year and know that we added to that treasure chest of memories by spending time with each other.

Time For Us

All through this "journey" that I have taken with my daughter, I have had the honor and opportunity to meet so many other parents who have faced similar challenges. We may have chosen different methods of therapy or different educational settings, but we all have one thing in common. We all have fought very hard to make sure our children are in the very best school, in the very best educational setting and achieve their absolute highest potential. Sure, we have stumbled along the way. Sure the path has not been easy. The work and effort have been worth it when we see what our kids can do. We feel so tied to their achievements. We are so very proud of all our children's accomplishments, whatever they may be. And yet, as humble mothers, we never admit to ourselves or to anyone else that we have contributed to that. Maybe, it's time we should. We have worked so hard and spent so much of our time, never begrudgingly, to see that our children do get to that wonderful spot at the "top" of the ladder. For me, and I'm sure this is true for all other mothers, it has been nothing but a joy to do this. But if we are to keep up the energy to do more, we will need time for ourselves. We need to be able to unwind, relax and be selfish and think of no one but ourselves. That lunch, dinner, movie, spa treatment, shopping excursion, or even getting our hair and/or nails done with a friend, friends or even alone is so needed and yet we postpone it almost all the time. The excuses ranges from work, kid's homework, cooking, hubby needs us, too tired, no time, etc. Well, we better do this or we are going to run out of steam pretty soon. I might be writing this blog because I am just as guilty as anyone else of not being able to make time for "us". It's time we should.