I have five small children and at times, I have struggled. There have been days where we have more "have nots" than "haves." However, having a large family is a beautiful thing with an investment for years to come. Herein, I will discuss life, things we have learned (or are dealing with) and also suggestions for others. Hopefully I can shed a male perspective on family life as well as other things a dude can encounter as a father.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Me time.

Growing up is a relative term. I think it has a paradox hidden deep within the word. Consider the young child who becomes the adult before they should. A movie that sticks with me, while watching my kids, best says it.

J.M. Barrie: [watching George react to the knowledge that his mother is seriously ill] Magnificent. The boy is gone. In the last 30 seconds... you became a grown-up.
~Finding Neverland courtesy of IMDB.com

One day we will wake and it will be lost. We will have to grow up to some point, but there is a nagging part that sticks. There is a piece of you that will demand a portion of day or time for yourself. It quite possibly may be the football game that is during your kids birthday party or maybe it is more complex than that. It could be the time you wish to "let it all hang out" when the children are in bed. There you could tuck the you away into a box and be care free, well unless the children wake... and the bubble bursts while you watch the me time flow down the drain.

I would propose that you find several outlets and do not rely on one for your self identify. Along with the normal nightly routine consider an adaption - a more flexible option. Maybe you could read a book, for example; flexible and adaptable to most situations.Write a blog that could be a continual work in progress or start a journal. Also, consider altering your time of day. Maybe an early rise works better than a up late.

It will not always work out in your favor. I am so sorry to admit that to you, nor will that feeling subside. However, it is all a matter of perspective my friends. Do not let your lack of personal time and exhaustion be shed upon the ones who are too young to realize. Do not make them grow up. Let the rightful child take their time getting there...

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