priorities

It seems that for the last several years, my priority has been getting to the point where I can pursue some of my non-parenting-related goals. And while paying lip-service to my appreciation that I have a job that allows me to be at home and able to be involved in the kids' school, and touting my growing understanding of the importance of being involved in the kids' school, it's nonetheless a fact that my duties as Mom have been receding in importance in my mind as compared to my duties as Shay. My focus has been on more writing, more work, more self-improvement efforts in general ... and I admit that I hadn't considered that there will still be a large amount of work to be done even when my young ones have all entered school.

Recent events - for example, one child's need for speech therapy, another's troubles with friends on the bus and general need for guidance in the social arena - have me re-prioritizing my goals and time in the coming years. Just because they'll be in school doesn't mean my job ends during those hours. In order to know what's going on in their lives, I'll need to be there. I'll need to be here on the phone, setting up playdates and reinforcing relationships. I'll need to be driving them to (a limited number apiece of) activities to make sure they and their relationships are well-rounded. My personal goals aren't going anywhere - they'll still be there, being worked on - but they can't be my main focus yet. Not for a long while.

It's good to be reminded.