I’ve been struggling a bit with my health this past week.
I guess I should say that my biggest struggle has been that I’ve had to say no a lot more this week to the kids than I would like. It breaks my heart not to have the energy to play most of the day with the kids or do all the things that they would like me to do, but lately it’s been too hard.
When you’re feeling sick, sometimes you do have to say no more often. But this week reminded me of many times when I said no instead of yes to my kids. Times when saying yes would have been a better choice in that moment, even if I was a bit tired or had other things I wanted to get done.
So, I was feeling inspired this week to capture how I was feeling in a poem. I want to remember how important it is to say yes as much as possible to my children because one day- when they’re not here every single day, when they’re very busy with their own lives – I won’t have the chance to say anything at all.
*I also wrote a poem titled Instead that you might like to read, too.
Saying Yes
When I’m just about to snuggle up in bed with my Kindle and my son asks me to read him a book
I will say yes.
When I’ve just cleaned up after supper and my daughter wants to set up an art or science project on the kitchen table
I will say yes.
When my son asks me to play chase and I was just able to fold some clothes
I will day yes.
When it’s hot and we’re walking to the car from a long day at the zoo and my son wants to jump on every sewer cover ten times all the way back
I will say yes.
When its 8:30 at night and my kids want to bake cookies
I will say yes.
When my son wants to play another Batman game….for the twentieth time in a row
I will say yes.
When my daughter knocks over a whole box of Cherrios onto the kitchen floor and asks me to help her pick them up
I will say yes
When I was hoping my kids would ask me to read with them and instead they ask me to watch an episode of their favorite cartoon instead
I will say yes
When it’s getting late and I’m ready to lay down and the kids are excited to talk about what we will be doing the next day
I will say yes
When I have the choice to listen to my children when they want to talk, to help them reach for their dreams, to be a great resource to them and encourage and support them as best as I can
I will say yes.
Photo Credit: ominate
What do you want to say yes to more with your kids?