Sunday, March 7, 2010

For our Kids

Posted by Tracy Wainwright at 7:26 PM
Sometimes as a mom I wonder what I get myself into. Is it really worth it to drag three or four or five kids under six out somewhere? They love it, it is fun, we do have great memories and pictures, but I usually end up worn out and nothing gets done at home. So, is it worth it?

Today I had the opportunity to go with two of my children and one of their friends to see the Harlem Globetrotters. As it was a birthday present from my mom, she and her fiance went with us. First plus: extra adults. Second plus: it was the two oldest - ages five, six and seven. Third plus: I've wanted to see the Globetrotters since I was little.

However, I arranged child care for the younger two, picked my mom and fiance up and drove a total of two hours (with the two stops) to get to the location. Spent money on lunch, a snack at the game ($6 for one thing of cotten candy, i.e. air and sugar) and dinner on the way home, another two hours with two stops. We were gone from the house a total of eight hours for a two hour game. And I was tired on the way home. I had a McCafe Mocha for dinner.

Was it worth it? ABSOLUTELY! My two oldest are still in the garage playing with their new Globetrotters basketball (which they paid the majority for with their own money - bonus number four.) It is a memory they will have forever (and if they begin to forget, we have pictures for refreshing.)

Sometimes the things we do are more work than they're worth. For us, t-ball is too much right now, but cheerleading and swim lessons and Awana's aren't. It's a lot. A lot of time out of the house. A lot of planning. A lot of dealing with the little ones out of the house. It's also a lot of fun, a lot of lessons, and a lot of friendships fostered and memories made.

Each one of us has to look at what is worth it to us. There are literally hundreds of choices on any given day of things we can do with our children. Mostly, I like to be home with them, but I know they will benefit from other things too. Notice, they don't NEED other things, but I can see the benefit. There is a cost/benefit ratio to each one of us for each choice we make. Thank goodness there are so many choices, because that ratio is different for each family.

We may end up tired, but if the choice is a right one, we will be a good tired.

0 comments on "For our Kids"

Sunday, March 7, 2010

For our Kids

Sometimes as a mom I wonder what I get myself into. Is it really worth it to drag three or four or five kids under six out somewhere? They love it, it is fun, we do have great memories and pictures, but I usually end up worn out and nothing gets done at home. So, is it worth it?

Today I had the opportunity to go with two of my children and one of their friends to see the Harlem Globetrotters. As it was a birthday present from my mom, she and her fiance went with us. First plus: extra adults. Second plus: it was the two oldest - ages five, six and seven. Third plus: I've wanted to see the Globetrotters since I was little.

However, I arranged child care for the younger two, picked my mom and fiance up and drove a total of two hours (with the two stops) to get to the location. Spent money on lunch, a snack at the game ($6 for one thing of cotten candy, i.e. air and sugar) and dinner on the way home, another two hours with two stops. We were gone from the house a total of eight hours for a two hour game. And I was tired on the way home. I had a McCafe Mocha for dinner.

Was it worth it? ABSOLUTELY! My two oldest are still in the garage playing with their new Globetrotters basketball (which they paid the majority for with their own money - bonus number four.) It is a memory they will have forever (and if they begin to forget, we have pictures for refreshing.)

Sometimes the things we do are more work than they're worth. For us, t-ball is too much right now, but cheerleading and swim lessons and Awana's aren't. It's a lot. A lot of time out of the house. A lot of planning. A lot of dealing with the little ones out of the house. It's also a lot of fun, a lot of lessons, and a lot of friendships fostered and memories made.

Each one of us has to look at what is worth it to us. There are literally hundreds of choices on any given day of things we can do with our children. Mostly, I like to be home with them, but I know they will benefit from other things too. Notice, they don't NEED other things, but I can see the benefit. There is a cost/benefit ratio to each one of us for each choice we make. Thank goodness there are so many choices, because that ratio is different for each family.

We may end up tired, but if the choice is a right one, we will be a good tired.

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