Every Moment a Special One

As a mother of seven, people often ask how my time is divided between our children. How can one homeschooling mother give seven children quality time? I find that opportunities abound daily for special one-on-one moments with my sons and daughter--and husband as well. I believe every minute has the potential to be a special one. Quality time is perspective. It is everyday life!

Almost every morning (like clockwork), my oldest sons (14-year-old twins) arrive in the kitchen to give me their individual sports updates. They come as individuals, but tell me almost the same story--verbatim! That's identical twins for you. "Mom, the Pistons won. The Tigers lost. The Redwings play tomorrow night." Today they shared that the Green Bay Packers had not yet cleared out Brett Favre's locker and that he had not signed his retirement papers. Could this be ESPN Radio rumor? Who knows and who cares? It’s my boys coming to tell me something they want to share with "me", their mom. I smile and listen with great interest--because I really am interested in sports! You ought to see us during football season!

My son, Greyson is a scientist and he is either doing an experiment, building some contraption or dreaming of doing both. We sit for the longest time discussing different scientific theories or doing scientific experiments. We used a peppermint essential oil solution to kill bugs as our latest experiment. We are also observing the seeds we planted in the garden to chart their progress. I love these talks!
Elijah, my nine-year-old, loves to talk about his passions...reading The Adventures of Tintin by Herge (his absolute favorite), Indiana Jones films or his Lego movies on our computer. He often asks for my input on why Tintin did this-or-that or why did Indiana Jones have to get so old or "can I please make another Lego movie on the computer?" (No!)

Rachel, the dear seven-year-old, princess of our children, love to help me in the kitchen. She also enjoys it when we clean her room together. We have the longest talks while doing this. It is a special blessing when mother and daughter (who are SURROUNDED by testosterone) spend some time together just being feminine and girly. We talk about babies, flowers, pretty things, birds, cats, etc.
John, the almost five-year-old genuine boy, says he is going to marry me. He wants to kiss me all the time. He then flaunts this in front of his daddy who in turn goes after him and jokingly tells him that I am already married. John loves it when I read to him. He also loves to help in the kitchen and laundry room.

Samuel, our baby boy two and a half, is so loving and huggy to me. If John kisses me, he is right there to counter it with a kiss of his own. He loves it when I sit with him, read to him, or lie down with him at naptime. Like John, Sam enjoys cooking and folding laundry too, though "folding" has its own definition for a toddler boy!

My husband, Roger, enjoys spending any time together. Our daily routine begins with coffee before the children arise. We rarely miss these moments; we both value our time so much and hate it when it doesn’t happen. Sometimes we are very tired and look forward to a nice cup of coffee. Though our conversation may not be enthusiastic on the tired days, we are there together. The touch of a hand or foot rubs and we both feel better. We encourage the children to leave us alone as we talk.

Our culture emphasizes quality time with our loved ones. What a blessing that I get plenty of it every day just living in this household--walking, talking, working, struggling, smiling, laughing, eating, sleeping, bathing children, cleaning house, brushing little ones’ teeth... the list goes on-and-on! Not every day is perfect all the time but I seem to remember many more happy moments than sad.

CAMY LALONDE
Traverse City, Michigan, USA
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