Putting Family First

I was forced into a “vacation” this week. It’s really not a vacation. My parents needed some help after surgery complications so I came to help out and I brought my youngest child with me. I really did not have the time to come here. Work has been busy. My home life has been hectic to say the least, but my parents needed me so here I am.

This made me think about situations in which parents are no longer together but their children still need them. Sometimes it is just a soccer or baseball game. Sometimes it is to have dinner. Sometimes it is for doctor appointments. Sometimes more serious situations such as hospital visits.

There is a video circulating Facebook in which couples were asked who they would like to have dinner with. These couples picked celebrities to have dinner with. The camera then turned to the children and the parents watched the responses of the children. These children, of varying ages, all said to have dinner with their family.

So whether you are together or not, busy or bored, pay attention to your children’s needs. You only get one chance to experience the moment. If you are no longer a couple, put those differences aside and focus on the children. Find out their needs and try to do what they need most. It could be as simple as just having dinner.