Are we too busy?

I started to realize something back in the Spring of this year after reading a book about Buddhism and being a Mother to small children. That being busy isn't necessarily a good thing or even a positive life. Yes, when someone asks what or how life has been lately and most say busy we seem to think this is how things should or need to be to be successful and enjoy life. Not only that, that we need our children to be busy as well.

Our society in this day and age is so busy we MISS LIFE. It passes bye us so fast we miss a lot of it. Especially when our children are young. You often hear "enjoy them while they are little, because they grow so fast". It is true, they do. So why add in being busy and having them in so many extra activities out side of school. You are rushing around each evening to go here or there to have them enjoy a sport or a club. Everyone is tired, anxious to make it to where ever on time and possibly even stressed. Maybe you haven't been able to catch up cleaning, meal prepping or even just having a chance to just sit and not do anything.

Every one is so busy we even miss out on our friends and our extended family some times.

We dont have time for play dates, hanging out at parks or just having the neighbor hood kids having that oppertunity to just play after school, because everyone is busy with the extras. We are sadly losing touch of each other.

I was this Mother. I thought having my child(ren) in programs was what all good parents did. Being busy meant you were living life the way society wants you to.

What I realized was happening was. I was missing out in my children and our life in the moment. Thats the key word "in the moment". I wasn't just sitting down and drawing with them, playing some action figure battle with my son, playing tea party with my daughter. Playing board games as a family or even just laying on the couch watching a movie together, going for a walk or hike. Just being present in the moment instead of rushing around to make sure my children get to their program or club.

I didn't want to remember or have my kids remember their childhood as being rushed around after each school day just to do certain things society deems as an essential to a child's life or feel like to be a good parent my child needs those clubs or activities.

So we have stepped back and do one thing a week for one hour each or none at all. Its easier to enjoy by all of us in the family and my children feel its less stressful so do I.

Being in the moment is key in my life for our families happiness. I dont want my life to be so busy I miss things.

Its interesting when other parents ask me what I have signed my children up for and I either reply with nothing or one thing. The nothing reply gets them the most. How could I not have my child in anything? Simple, we have so many other things we could do as a family- simple yet fun that we dont need those extras.

Step back if you are stressed or your children are stressed or overwhelmed by the busy schedule. Be in the moment and go with the flow. You may find yourself and your kids will be happier too.

:)