The Grass Is Not Always Greener

During bedtime we alternate reading to the boys. One night I will read to Grant, while Bob reads to Aid and then vice versa. This has worked well. Then me and Bob are both involved in bed time routine with the boys, who both get some one on one time with both parent.

Grant has thrown off this balance and is on a Dad ban during bed time. When it's Bob's turn to read to Grant, Grant refuses to sit with him and insists on reading with me and Aid. Aid has been more then ok with sharing his time as long as it doesn't interrupt it in anyway. So every other night for the past few weeks I have watched jealously as Bob read his book, still in the room, while I read books to the boys. Every night I think to myself, "Well, aren't you nice and relaxed with some down time." Sometimes I say it out loud. But always, by the end of the routine, I feel all warm and realize that I am the lucky one. Because some day they will not want me to read to them anymore, and I will be in our room reading my book and longing to be sitting in there with them again.

It's a constant decision to live in each moment with them, and harder to appreciate all of those moments. But I know that while the sleepless nights make it feel like forever, it's all going by very fast. Too fast. So tonight, I made my bitter comment, and then snuggled in with our favorites and enjoyed every single line read.

The grass is not always greener on the other side. Sometimes your grass is just right.