Not Right Now

Life gets busy. We are always working, cleaning, cooking, going to school, running errands, or doing something around the house. After all we’re not just adults, but parents too. That means we have double the work. If we aren’t busy, we are trying to relax for a second if our lives allow it. Sometimes that means turning our kids away.

We all know the line. We are all guilty of saying it, I know I am. ‘Not right now.’ We say it when our kids ask us to play, go somewhere, or something else they want from us. Why? Because we’re tired, exhausted, and either busy or trying to relax for a second. Kids do that though, they ask to play at the most inconvenient time. Any time is a good time to play when you’re a kid. Not so much when you’re an adult though.

Kids don’t understand. They don’t realize how busy we are or how exhausted we are. They just want someone to play with them. Then the pure disappointment is evident on their face as they walk away after hearing the ‘not right now.’ It’s heartbreaking, but it doesn’t mean we won’t play, we just can’t right this second. Kids don’t understand that though.They just hear the no and get disappointed.

How many times have we said ‘not right now’ and not ended up playing at all? For me, too many to count. Not on purpose, but it happens. I sit down for a minute to relax and remember something else I needed to do. The next thing I know it’s bedtime and I still haven’t played. It’s a vicious cycle that unfortunately happens from time to time. Those times when you’re not too busy or you find time between responsibilities to play is the greatest. Your kids faces light up with joy and it’s so worth it.

Life gets busy. Responsibilities never stop. Sometimes we say ‘not right now’ with the intention of playing later, but it doesn’t happen. We’ve got to make time for our kids. The dishes can wait five minutes. That errand can wait until tomorrow. Kids grow up so fast. Before you know it they’re going to stop asking you to play. All you’ll want after that is five more minutes to play. Life is never too busy to play with your kids. We can always make time for them.