Brown Eyed Baby Boutique

I Really Don’t Have Time

September 28th, 2006

“I’d love to, but I just don’t have the time.”

Wouldn’t it be interesting to keep track of how often we hear that or say it ourselves?

Frequently it is a plain statement of fact; at other times it can be an excuse.  When “I don’t have the time” is the truth, then acting on it is simply being a good steward of a precious, nonrecoverable commodity.  So we do well to question our use of abuse of time.

Especially in the home and with our children it’s essential that we shun the excuse route.  That doesn’t mean we have to give account of our every minute.  We do, however, need to be completely honest with a child.  If, indeed, we do not at the moment have time to give attention to what the child wants us to do, there’s nothing wrong with saying it.  It’s good to add, “But I’ll make time a little later.”  a child can live with that without feeling Mom or Dad doesn’t care about him.  It’s vital, though, to follow through and keep that promise.

Because we cannot “make” time, in order to keep faith with the child, we just have to let something else go.

Actually, it’s been my observation that the boy and girl who can trust their parents to give them some time, are generally far less demanding.  They tend to feel secure in their parents’ love; they think, “I’m important.  Mom and Dad like to spend time with me.”  Contrast the often-let-down youngster who continually hounds his parents with his whining, “You promised. You promised.”

Keeping a promise is its own reward in good relationships.

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Entry Filed under: Uncategorized, Parenting Advice