Cat's in the Cradle

Over the past two months, every Saturday afternoon has been punctuated with "Can we go to the swimming pool ?", and then, "Pleaseeeee ?"

I admit that it does take time away from what I want to do but I keep remembering that line from Harry Chapin's 'Cats in the Cradle' (here) :

He'd grown up just like me

My boy was just like me

And then I remember that I like playing with my girl. It's just that I like playing with her when it fits my schedule - but it never really works out that way, does it ?

Kids ask for your time and attention when they want to and not when it fits your schedule. And while I sometimes ask her to wait, there are also many occasions when an immediate response to a request leads to a short (or sometimes long) period of play and laughter and lots of tickling.

And then there are times when I remind myself that she's growing up and that I will have to play with her and read to her and love her while she still wants my company. Cos it won't be long before she becomes a Teenager.