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Make the Time to Play

February 3, 2015 By Lena 38 Comments

I spent about 20 minutes this morning looking for an old Facebook post from 2009. It was over a year after I had my first child, and shortly before I would become pregnant with my second. In the status update, I bemoaned my son’s ability to monopolize all my time.

“Is it too much to ask to have 5 minutes to myself? Mommy, play with me. Mommy, watch me. Mommy, give me. Mommy, pick me up. Mommy, I’m hungry. Argh!!! I love my kid but I need to find just 5 more minutes in the day! Signed, a woman who spends more time playing with cars than making meals.”

Today, that little boy is almost 7 years old. He wakes, clothes and washes himself. He comes home from school and finds his own snack. And when I hover… when I ask if he needs anything… he says, “No. I’m okay.”

And it’s in these moments, when a I look upon the independent, strong-willed and eccentric little man before me, I’m so happy I made the time to play.

For today, and forevermore, I will cherish the moments we got down on all fours and pushed cars across the floor. When he’s busy with homework, I’ll think about the nights we were busy building blocks. When he leaves home, I’ll recall our play home, and how he’d never leave without blowing me a kiss goodbye.

Do you make the time to play?

Fisher-Price is a company that has earned my trust, support, and unconditional endorsement. All of my “play time” memories are firmly attached to their toys, and I know that in years to come, I’ll fondly reminisce about those moments of interaction, love and bonding between mother and child. 

And so, I have a special request for every mom-to-be, new mom, or anyone who is blessed to have a little baby in their lives. I know firsthand that days can be overwhelming, and nights can be even harder. But trust me when I say that they grow too fast. They grow up, and then they grow apart, and soon you’ll hear them say “No. I’m okay.”

So take this moment, take this day, and please, make the time to play.

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: #FPMakeTimetoPlay, baby gear, childhood toys, Fisher Price

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Florence Cochrane

    February 4, 2015 at 8:50 am

    Very touching. Yes they grow so fast. My children live across the country. I am lucky if I get to see them once a year. My daughter moved last fall to the city where her brother lives. To me this is some comfort. No matter how old they are you still worry about them even though they are both making there own way in life and doing well.

    Reply
  2. Judy Cowan

    February 4, 2015 at 9:18 am

    They do grow up way too fast! Great video :)

    Reply
  3. Anne Taylor

    February 4, 2015 at 1:34 pm

    Those are THE moments to cherish and hold close to your heart! Beautiful post; a great reminder! Thanks

    Reply
  4. Chandra Christine O'Connor

    February 4, 2015 at 5:57 pm

    so true, I always say I miss the days my kids would cuddle. when my youngest would squeeze my face and say “oh mommy I love you too much” now my oldest is married and going to be a mommy herself.

    Reply
  5. Athena

    February 4, 2015 at 7:56 pm

    They do grow so quickly. It can be hard when they’re younger to find time for yourself, but the time comes when they start to depend less, that you wish for those days… to a certain extent!

    Reply
  6. Darlene Schuller

    February 5, 2015 at 7:37 am

    We need post it notes reminding us ADULTS of this. Life gets busy and things get happening. Time goes by so fast before we know it, it’s gone… so are baby days!

    Reply
  7. Chandra Christine O'Connor

    February 6, 2015 at 7:32 am

    cant wait to play with my future soon to be granddaughter

    Reply
  8. Stephanie LaPlante

    February 7, 2015 at 1:45 pm

    That video is so incredibly adorable

    Reply
  9. Marissa

    February 7, 2015 at 2:48 pm

    Lovely post Lena!

    Reply
  10. Sara Lima

    February 10, 2015 at 10:15 pm

    They grow so fast! I am going to be a godmother in 3 months or so, and I can’t believe it! :)

    Reply
  11. Treen Goodwin

    February 11, 2015 at 10:06 am

    love the video , its so cute , kids grow like weeds …life sure gets busy… wish kids could stay little :)

    Reply
  12. Michelle Bastien

    February 11, 2015 at 5:28 pm

    As I sit here looking at my 6 year old who just got home from school I am glad that I took the time this afternoon to play trains with his 3 year old brother and have tummy time with my 5 month old son. Time goes by so quickly! Keep them close :)

    Reply
  13. Brenda A

    February 11, 2015 at 9:46 pm

    It is hard when the kiddos no longer “need” you to play with them. My girls are 8 and 10 and will play together for hours on end, but Mom and Dad don’t play “right” anymore. Boo.

    Reply
  14. loriag

    February 14, 2015 at 10:31 am

    Wonderful, they do grow up way to fast, but you can keep playing as they do! Just in different ways.

    Reply
  15. Stacy Scott

    February 14, 2015 at 11:58 am

    Omgosh, tears =) This video is so true! With 10 Children, I see how fast the time has flown by, and do try to spend as much time as I possibly can with them, because one day, this will all change as they grow! Thank you for sharing =)

    Reply
  16. nicolthepickle

    February 16, 2015 at 7:09 am

    Aww, my babies are still in the little stage. Thanks for the reminder.

    Reply
  17. Lee Pearson

    February 16, 2015 at 10:09 am

    Awe..I love this post!! Although my children are no longer babies, I totally relate to what you have written and how you feel. I look back upon all the memories I have when my children were very young and I wish I had spent more time with them. I got down on the floor and played trucks with my son and barbies with my daughter, but the best times where the closeness of reading a bedtime story to them each night. I really miss that :( Now they have their social lives, cell phones and video games and are busy with their lives. We are still very close, but they are independent little people now.

    Reply
  18. Julie F

    February 16, 2015 at 12:11 pm

    Yes they do grow up way too fast, my two girls are now married with kids of their own so we are now trying to spend as much time with the grandkids before they too are adults!

    Reply
  19. Debbie W

    February 17, 2015 at 11:01 am

    I always make time for play. Believe it or not I find it relaxing, and down time.

    Reply
  20. Kathleen Fowler

    February 19, 2015 at 3:45 pm

    I wish I had spent more time playing with my children – my grandchildren get much of my attention now

    Reply
  21. Brenda Lacourciere

    February 20, 2015 at 5:52 am

    Great article. I firmly believe in play with adults and children. It makes them feel like they are worth it.

    Reply
  22. kandi holland

    February 20, 2015 at 1:36 pm

    Now I get what my mom used to say about babies growing up too fast!

    Reply
  23. loucheryl

    February 23, 2015 at 2:31 pm

    This post made me feel really sad. I’m tearing up right now as I type. My 18 month old always wants me to play and I do but sometimes I feel like I don’t get 5 minutes to myself all day. Then I think about him growing up and not wanting me to play anymore. This is like a double edged sword. I love to play with my boys and always make time for play.

    Reply
  24. Melinda L.

    February 27, 2015 at 9:11 am

    Adorable video. Kids grow up so quickly, definitely appreciating those moments whenever possible

    Reply
  25. kathy downey

    February 27, 2015 at 4:43 pm

    We spend all out time helping them grow and when they grow up we wish they were small again

    Reply
  26. Victoria Ess

    February 28, 2015 at 10:25 am

    Amen to this post, Lena, and I’m sure many parents can relate.

    Reply
  27. Janet M

    March 1, 2015 at 7:04 pm

    I too have grown up with and always enjoyed Fisher Price toys.

    Reply
  28. kathy downey

    March 4, 2015 at 12:51 pm

    I have all enjoyed Fisher Price toys with my kids and now with my grandchildren,they sure make amazing toys

    Reply
  29. Margaret Imecs

    March 5, 2015 at 10:03 am

    So true! Cherish the days when they are little! I watched my kids grow up in front of my eyes in no time, time goes fast. They changed and I wish that I could bring back the past, those precious moments.

    Reply
  30. kandi h

    March 7, 2015 at 5:46 pm

    What a good reminder

    Reply
  31. Janet M

    March 9, 2015 at 8:16 pm

    Play time has always been important in our home.

    Reply
  32. mrdisco

    March 11, 2015 at 1:48 pm

    i make time to play nealry every day

    Reply
  33. BobbiJo Pentney

    March 17, 2015 at 10:10 am

    Your words were so beautifully true. They grow up too quickly and if we blink, or keep our heads lowered to our smartphones, we miss it.

    Reply
  34. donna makayak

    May 19, 2015 at 6:39 pm

    This is so true we worry about having money in the bank,instead of enjoying the life you dreamed about aa a child.

    Reply
  35. kathy downey

    June 11, 2015 at 6:49 pm

    Beautiful, they do grow up way to fast!

    Reply
  36. kathy downey

    February 12, 2016 at 12:16 pm

    I enjoyed the video,enjoy every minute because some morning your going to wake up and wonder where the years went

    Reply
  37. Debbie White Beattie

    June 18, 2017 at 9:56 pm

    What a beautiful video and it’s so true, with everything going on today we’re busier than ever but we have to remember to play and have fun

    Reply
  38. kathy downey

    September 16, 2017 at 11:11 am

    They demand all our attention but i bet you find as time goes by they need you less and less !

    Reply

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Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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