Caring for Calves and Kids

I swear lately my kids have had only one speed – slow! It takes them hours to pick something to eat for breakfast then eat it. Finally they get done, then we repeat the same questions of “Can you please go brush your teeth? Brush your hair? Where are your socks? Can we get some shoes on please?” And this process, although with different questions, repeats itself throughout the day many times.

We are a very busy family so hurry and go-go-go is truly our mentality. From school, church, farming, kids sports and activities there is always something or too many somethings we are rushing off to. Our weekends aren’t even quite instead they are just a different kind of busy. You know the feeling.

And I’m not one who will adjust a lot of my schedule or responsibilities because I have children. If I need to be at a meeting for our daycare or help out at an event or we are meeting up with friends my kids are with me. For a lot of us who grew up in agriculture it’s just what you do. Animals have to be fed. If they get out they need to be put back in immediately even if it’s past bedtime or going to make you late.

This was all crossing my mind one day and then it hit me – I’m instill a go-go-go mentality from day 1 with them, just like when I was young. Running from this thing to that thing always having that same conversation on a loop of “Hurry up we’re late.” “Why don’t you have your shoes on yet?”

But really what are we rushing for?

The activities we are going to, whether it’s sports, church, kids or adult activities, likely aren’t as important as spending the time with your kids. Like true quality one on one time. So why do we push them to hurry, hurry, hurry? Well as we noted that was likely the way we were raised, and because you want to teach them responsibility. Or it could be that you want them to have all the same or new opportunities that you did or didn’t have.

But time is the one thing we can’t get back and as long as these days are when they are little people tell me they go fast. I hear once you only get 18 summers with your child before they move out so make the most of them. When I heard that 18 didn’t seem like quite enough. So for me, I don’t want to spend my days having the “Why haven’t you brushed your hair?” conversations with my kids just to hurry up and get somewhere.

I want to slow down and enjoy their quirks, laughs, “I can do what I want” looks. I want to really asses my activities both for me and my kids to ensure they are what we want to do and feel are high priorities for us. Will we always get it right? No. But having more of a conscious mind about it will definitely help.