Ahhhh.

Finally some validation for us non-anxious, not perfect, not even half interested in making it appear as though we’re perfect, tired, overworked, I can run a household with one hand tied behind my back because I balance a career and a family...moms.

I read these pieces today and thought...YES! What’s wrong with a little independent play? What’s wrong with being honest with my kid and telling him that I have dinner to prepare, a meeting to get to, or laundry overflowing every hamper in the house, and that while all that is happening the last thing I want to do right now is pretend to be interested in toys? I’d rather my kids develop imaginative play on their own, to develop relationships with one another, and to explore the outdoors. Make the occasional mess, get filthy, get scrapes, and keep innocent secrets from us. I’m not interested in being my kids’ shadow just so that others perceive me to be the involved and caring parent that I know I am anyway. My kids aren’t interested in video games. My kids would rather go outside and play in the dirt (more often than not without me!) than do anything in the world. My kids ride bikes and scooters and take walks and haul crap around in the wagon until we drag them kicking and screaming inside for baths.

My kids also know that weekends are sacred family time, that family dinner time (especially on Sundays) is the norm - not a special occasion, and that they are loved. They also respect that their father and I have responsibilities outside of our home that occasionally take priority over our immediate involvement in their play schemes, and that when we do get down on the floor to tickle, play, build, read, and imagine with them...our hearts are really in it.