Thursday, August 16, 2007

Finding time alone with each of my children



My son and I went out for lunch today. Typically I don't eat lunch out. I have been working from a home office for 7 years, and find as a telecommuter that whatever I can fix quickly and eat at my desk is my soup du jour.

Through some (hint, hint) suggestions from my children for their time with mom I have initiated lunch alone time.

Today was my son Zach's turn. We dined on breakfast food at a local Lake Geneva diner. It was the typical eggs and toast fare, but it tasted great. The best eggs and toast I can remember.

I am a single mom. Normally I don't make this a point of conversation but thru a divorce and life events, it has actually proven to strengthen attributes I never knew existed.

Today I am declaring my single mom status for one reason. I have ignored the fact that while my children and I do alot together we don't do alot together one-on-one. I have three young children ages 2, 6, and 10, and I am their main caretaker.

Time alone with each individually has always seemed impossible. Then last week I told myself that it was time to make some changes.

So I set into motion Phase One of Project Alone Time. Three days a week, I am taking a lunch break from my work. Each of these days will be spent with my children individually for lunch.

My 6 year old and 10 year old will pick the restaurant. The 2 year old and I will sack lunch to the park.

Today was the first day of our new endeavor and it was grand. We went to Grandma Vickie's in Lake Geneva, sat at the counter (which my son thought was very cool), and talked about whatever was on his mind. Questions sprouted such as "What are clouds made of?" to comments like "The best thing about going back to school will be learning how to make things".

So moms, dads, caretakers with kids take note: This was the best vitamin I have taken yet, with no tangy aftertaste and immediate results.