Parenting is busy. It truly can be a full time job.

Whether it be school drop offs and pick ups, practice for this instrument, that dance, or some sport, doctors appointments, helping with homework, staying up until they can finally get to sleep, making lunches before they leave, being there for every talk, or anything else life is hectic.

We have become errand boys and taxi drivers!

It is a constant struggle to juggle hats and find time to fit everything into a day and still have time for your job and yourself.

As parents this is hard enough. As a single parent we see “our time” decimated to nearly nothing.

Getting up earlier and going to bed later are only temporary fixes and can only do so much for so long.

So essentially we all need to adjust to this new life we live.

The other night we were all sitting in my bedroom. With technology everywhere, homework all over the place, and all of us there it was a very peaceful moment, until the following errand was requested.

Sparkle asked me to go and get her a glass of water.

My immediate response, while pondering how many times I walk up and down the steps, was no.

That’s right I said it, the big bad word, “NO”.

Followed with you have legs and feet to get you there, also arms and hands to serve yourself, so no.

Her response took the form of a formal complaint.

“Dad, all you do when we are home is read your books.”

WOW!

First, I laughed. It caught me off guard. It was hilarious. It was a pure and honest complaint. After a quick self-examination, I decided to go get the water myself.

I have thought about her complaint over the last couple days. Tried to take it to heart and have come up with a couple conclusions.

First of all, I am thrilled that her complaint shows me reading not playing video games. We talked last night about it and we discussed why I do read. In the grand scheme of things it’s to learn more to change our lives and to be able to pass some of that information along when need be.

Secondly, I now find myself rubbing her feet as I read.

She was not upset about the fact that I read. What she wanted was my attention. It didn’t have to be my full, undivided attention. She just wanted some of it.

In conclusion, I have come to realize that as a parent our greatest challenge can also become a great ally. We need to learn how to combine the different activities and errands that we must do to make the most of our time and ensure our kids that they get the attention that they need and deserve.

It won’t always be easy but that glass of water could change everything.