Quality Time

Lindsey at 3

Many years ago I used to teach Elementary School. One mother of a student stands out in my memory that was an executive in an IT company. She told me that Quality time with her son was more important that the quantity of time. She didn't spend much time at home because of her job, instead she justified it with the fantastic trips she did go on with her son. She took him to the Olympics, she took him to other fantastic international and national places and that was to be better than just having time with him or attending school events. I thought those trips would be fun for kids, but I think the total amount of time a parent spends with their child is more important than what they do when they get together. I think the child needs to spend time with their parent to understand where they "come from". I am divorced and my children live with their mom. I live 10 minutes from the kids because I want them to know I am here when they need me, and when they don't need me, but just want me. I wish I could do more fun things with my kids, I wish I could take them skiing more often, take they to Disneyland, go with them to Europe, stuff like that. I realize if I made much money it would take time away from that which I can could spend with the kids. I don't think it is a good choice.   

Sarah, Lindsey, Jayne, and me DEC 2011