“I feel like I didn’t even see our kids today,” I said to my husband earlier this week.
We had just finished putting our three girls to bed, and we were settled in for an hour of quality time together, but I couldn’t get past the feeling that I really missed my children, particularly my older two.
We talked about how we both feel like we’re missing out on so much of their day, especially on weekdays when they’re at school most of their waking hours. We get a short hour together in the morning, usually spent in a rush getting everything together, and then a few hours at night, when they’re tired and grouchy and not interested in quality bonding time.
“We have two whole weeks with them at Christmas,” I said with a smile, thinking about the wonderful days of just being together.
In previous years I may have shuddered at the idea of two entire weeks with my kids – all of the demands, the extra work now that they weren’t at school. But this year I can hardly wait for those days of quality family time, time spent playing with their new toys, visiting family, crafting together at the kitchen table.
In a couple of days we’ll enjoy Christmas morning – the highly anticipated day, the day we have all been waiting for. I can’t wait to wake up and read the story of Jesus’ birth at the kitchen table, the first thing we do once we wipe the sleep from our eyes. I’m excited to fling the front door wide open and shout “Joy to the World, The Lord Has Come”, our beloved family Christmas tradition. I can see the surprise on my kids’ faces when they tear into their Christmas gifts, and I can’t wait to dress up in our Christmas outfits and enjoy a day at my in-laws house in Mississauga.
But most of all, I can’t wait for these next two uncomplicated weeks of rest and family time. I’m so excited to wake up with my kids and not have to rush them to school. I’m thrilled at we can spend time in the kitchen baking, or snuggled up reading, or maybe building LEGO together as a family.
I know as young moms, it can feel like time is going by so slowly, that the little years will last forever, but this year has shown me that my kids won’t be little forever. As they’ve stretched their wings and embraced new friend and new hobbies, I’ve watched them walk away into independence and self-sufficiency. Their freedom has allowed me some more free time, but it’s also made me realize how much I’ve been missing them.
This Christmas I don’t need much – no presents or amount of food can compare to the time I get to spend with my family. Having unscheduled hours to fill with my husband and my three daughters is all I could ever wish for this Christmas, and all I really want.
“The sun looks down on nothing half as good as a household laughing together over a meal." - C.S. Lewis
