The concept of time

Yesterday I realized I was becoming my mother and my mother is becoming ... something other than herself.

Our neighbor's daughter goes to Reese's school but she's in the third grade. She likes to play with Reese and Reese likes to play with her.

Yesterday I stayed home with Bailey so later in the afternoon when it was time to pick up Reese I decided to walk to the school for some exercise. Besides, it was a beautiful day, might as well take advantage of it. As I got to Reese's school, Sarah, the girl he plays with asked if Reese can come over and play at her house. I said that's fine, but he has homework to do so it would only be for a little while.

Reese, Bailey (in the stroller) and I walked home only to find our neighbor and her daughter, Sarah at our door step waiting for us. She starts talking to me about her day, Sarah's day, the plants, her landlord, her job... what am I, your bestfriend?? Reese and Sarah have now taken off to their house and I'm stuck with this lady at my door. I tried to cut off the conversation to tell her to send Reese home by 7. She made a comment about how strict I was.

Ok, now I'm irritated.

Then I started thinking about it. I'm only strict because Reese has a routine he keeps up with every day. Going out to play at someone else's home is not in the routine, not part of our day. But it is part of being a kid.

At that moment I caught myself thinking ... am I really strict? I thought of what my mom would have done and she wouldn't have let me go to someone else's house when I have homework and chores to do. I told Sarah's mom, yeah I try to keep him on a schedule so he knows what to expect and doesn't go off his daily routine too much.

Then I look at her family - complete chaos. Hmm... reminding myself that I'm doing things exactly the way my mom did and I now appreciate her strictness upon me growing up.

Reese came home at 7 - totally wound up from playing with friends outside. It took a little while to get him to come down to earth and join us for dinner then homework then shower. He had to skip playtime before bed because he used that time with Sarah.

He realized this morning that time is a precious thing. He told me that he will make time for sister tonight because he didn't get to be with her last night at all.

I'm thinking to myself... wow, let's see if you say that when you're 16 and she's 10 and you have to drive her to school and where ever else she wants to go.