Do we have too high of expectations when it comes to parenting!?

I read a interesting article this week in Real Simple Magazine. DO WE SPEND TOO MUCH TIME WITH OUR KIDS? Being the director of a child care center and a long time teacher it certainly caught my attention. "I never get to see my children." Sound like you? (and every parent we know!?) Turns out today's mothers both working and stay-at-home are logging more child care hours than in the past. Surveys show in 2010 all mothers spend more than 14 hours a week with their children up from 10 hours a week in 1965???

Why then do we feel that we aren't getting enough time with our children. Parenting has become more time intensive, these days parents are expected to do more than just provide food, shelter, and lots of love. Today's parents take on more responsibilities in regards to planning children's activities. Infants start taking classes and toddlers start organized sports making parenting a full time profession. Society is telling you that despite you spending significantly more time on child rearing than parents of the past you aren't doing enough. Marketing campaigns are telling you that for your child to succeed you need to do more, schedule more, and spend more time with them.

THAT IS NOT TRUE. Spend quality time with your children but give them some space, free time, and don't feel guilty taking time for yourself. As Sarah Robbins of Real Simple Magazine Says "Some parents believe a good mother needs to but her child's needs before everything else and that's not healthy. Nor does it make us good role models. After all, if our ultimate goal is to have our kids find personal fulfillment, perhaps we should lead by example." Taking time for yourself and waiting until elementary school to start organizing sport schedules isn't going to hurt your children. They need our love, support, and encouragement but not our 24 hour servant services. Unstructured play is important for children too! We all need space and time to relax, take yours and give your children some!