Family Briefs

I’ve come to the end of another day that seems to have flown by (no thanks to Daylight Savings Time), and I find myself struggling with a sense of failure - there are a LOT of things I didn’t get done today! I haven’t finished my taxes (with a deadline looming), I didn’t get the kids’ sheets changed, the house is a wreck, and I’m no more organized today than I was yesterday.

But as I sat rocking my youngest just before sending her off to dreamland (hopefully for the ENTIRE night!), I thought about a different measure of success I should be looking at. While I have a long list of to do’s that didn’t get done today, I find myself “measuring” the day with my children. It is there that I find my greatest success and joy!

For the most part, today, my children played quite well together (there were the usual spats, but nothing earth-shattering) - they climbed all over the playground, imagined all kinds of things with a huge cardboard box, and cooked up a feast in their own kitchen. They were kind to each other (most of the time) - helping open the ketchup bottle, sharing a cup of yogurt, and reading to each other at bedtime. They were cooperative with the household jobs - they worked together to get two loads of laundry going and emptied the dishwasher together. My oldest engaged in several delightful (and somewhat “deep”) conversations with me. My two middles astounded me with some new knowledge they attained without my teaching them. My youngest surprised me with a huge burst of enthusiasm just because I walked into the room.

How can I look at this day, no matter what I checked off my list, and call it a failure? I have a wonderful family life, a loving husband and extraordinary, unique children who love me. Suddenly, I feel like a success without even looking at my to do list!