12 Minutes.

Do you have it?

I do. But, I have to say, sometimes, er,  a lot of the time... I feel like I don't.

It was Father's Day 2008. We were at an amazing house in Laguna Beach for the day. All I wanted to do was relax in the dreamy backyard, sip on my drink, and enjoy adult conversation.

{Enter 16 month old boy.}

All HE wanted to do was climb up and down the stairs over and over again.

The hostess of the house, Jill, sweetly came up to me and said, "Don't worry. Go sit down and hang out. Really... I mean it. I'll stay here with Archer and let him climb." She said it like it was no big deal. Yet, to me, inside I was annoyed at having to be in the house while Archer climbed up and down, up and down, up and down... like it was a big deal.

So, I enjoyed the break and she ENJOYED hanging out with Archer.

I haven't forgotten that.

Just this year on Father's Day, we talked about it. She told me a story... I don't remember word-for-word what she said, but it went something like this...


If we would just take the time to be with our kids and let them do the exploring they want, we {and they} would be so much happier. So many times if we just gave them about 12 minutes... that's all it takes. 


I have decided to take that as a challenge:

Spend {at least} 12 undivided minutes with each of my kids everyday. 

If you're anything like me, you tend to think the dishes can't wait... the floor has to be mopped... the laundry has to be changed... OR facebook needs to be checked... emails need to be checked... blogs need to be checked... and Instagram must be checked... you get the idea!

Will YOU join me? Will you challenge yourself to spending just 12 more minutes with your kids? Read a few extra books in one sitting? Color a picture next to your child as they color too? Play catch in the backyard? Push your baby in the swing? Build a fort AND sit in it? Take a walk around the block and talk? Play dolls or dinosaurs?

Let's do it! I'll check back next week... will you?