Updated: September 19, 2017
Originally Published: December 17, 2013
My children don’t always take precedence. There are moments when I am immersed in making dinner, and I can’t abandon my task just to help my daughter remove a shoe she insisted on putting on herself for no apparent reason. Other times, while I fold laundry, I ask my son to hold on for a few minutes before joining him for a game of Toddler Tag. There are even instances when I’m on a call and decide to finish my conversation before preparing their snacks.
My kids are undeniably two of the most significant people in my life. They possess a brightness and humor that reflects my own personality—silly and spirited, just like their mom. Despite their young age, I strive to teach them essential values: manners, kindness, forgiveness, and, importantly, patience.
In adulthood, waiting is inevitable. Whether it’s standing at a bus stop, anticipating a meal at a diner, or even waiting for the latest episode of a show to stream while I indulge in a secret sundae in the dark, waiting is a part of life. I see it as my responsibility to introduce this concept to my children early on.
Certainly, there are times when my immediate attention is crucial—like when a loud crash is followed by tears, or when a sibling dispute escalates into angry shouts. There are also moments when I willingly set aside chores to engage with my children, whether it’s helping my daughter with her shoe or taking a break from laundry to dance with them to the Curious George theme song. However, I don’t do this every single time. I want my children to understand that they are not the center of the universe.
While they are incredibly important to me, part of my role as a mother is to guide them into becoming respectful, capable, and successful individuals. For them to achieve this, they need to learn the value of waiting, practicing patience, and being content with their own thoughts until I can attend to them.
My children don’t always come first, and I trust that one day they will appreciate this lesson. If not, I hope I can manage their therapy bills.
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