NOT NOW… The other day boys and I went to a play place here in town and there was another mom sitting next to me on her phone (not on a call but watching it). As I sat on the table next to her with my Ice coffee, I couldn’t help to hear her daughter talking to her.
Mommy, mommy look!
This sweet little girl was playing with a toy. I looked at her mom and noticed that she didn’t even looked up and responded not now! I understand her completely as I use that line with my boys all the time, but then I looked at the girl and saw this little sad face, it didn’t last long as she decided to play with something else immediately, but I felt horrible for her.
A couple of minutes passed by and then I heard her again.
Mommy, can you play with me?
“Not now,” she sighed, and continue to look at her phone.
Then again that look on her eyes!. I wondered how many times my kids have had that look on their faces because of my “not now”.
I feel trapped with this situation because being there for them, every day 24/7 is hard, and sometimes we need our time off, we need 5 more minutes on the bathroom “alone” we need Daddy to take them for a second outside! and yes we need a not now moment, but then I think of this little girl’s face and the disappointment on her eyes, and think, sooner rather than later, I will be in the exact same position as they are right now, when they are all grown up, I will want their attention, I will ask for their companion and they will will most likely say not now!
So I will make a huge effort to not say Not Now!
so many times per day, I will sit and play dragons one more time, color one more time, build a Lego one more time, do a puzzle one more time and play with cars one more time before its to late and they are all grown up.
I will try to do my best and look at them in the eyes when they are asking, talking or saying something. I will make them important even in the smallest of things, I show them that they are worthy of my time. Because they are!! and they need to know that!
hopefully this will help someone! Have a wonderful week! see you next time!