On second thought....

Saying yes is hard. Usually much harder than the quick NO that I frequently say to my kids. It’s easy to just say no to any request they make and keep moving with my day.

Lately I’m trying to stop and think for a moment before I give an automatic NO.

Tobin asks me to snuggle for a few more minutes at bedtime...my first thought: ‘I’m exhausted and really want to take a hot bath, put on my pajamas, and go to bed.’
Tobin asks me to play in the mud. First thought: ‘Oh gosh he’s going to get disgusting and track mud all over the house. I don’t need another mess to clean.’
Mary Hollis asks me to sit and play with her. First thought: ‘I have so much to do. I’ve got to cook dinner, vacuum, fold laundry, and unload the dishwasher before we run errands.’
Mary Hollis asks me to hold her...again. My first thought: ‘My back is sore, and it’s really hard for me to accomplish anything with only one arm.’
{I know I’m not the only one who thinks these things!}

But I then focus on my SECOND thoughts.
My kids need me.
My kids want to be with me.
My kids want to be close to me.
My kids want to be messy.
My kids want to play.
My kids want to just be kids.

And they’re only kids for so long. Sometimes, saying YES won’t hurt anyone. Sometimes, taking two seconds to think that second thought and change the no to a yes can completely make my child’s day. Sometimes, they just want and need a little bit of my time and attention.

Part of raising children is teaching them to love and respect others. A simple yes {when appropriate} can demonstrate my love and my respect for them and their childhood memories.

So for now, I’ll listen to that second thought.