I'm sure the answer is yes for a lot of us.
The thing that makes me wonder this is that I want so much to do things that fulfill me that I wonder if it affects my children. We don't do very many structured activities at home. If DD wants to craft she can choose what to do and she goes at it. DS just plays with whatever toys he wants.
I guess I'm guilty of comparing myself to friends who do structured crafts with their kids (glue piece a and piece b together to make a butterfly, etc).
I was reminded of this today because my friend isn't responding to my texts to her today, at least not as detailed or timely as usual. I know she is very busy today but even when I am busy I respond to people, provided I get the message. I can't say I blame her for not responding fast, it just instantly makes me wonder if there is something wrong (that's my paranoid self coming out). Then I make myself feel better by reminding myself that she's busy but then I feel kinda guilty that even when I'm busy I still manage to spend time online and responding to people and wonder if I should be doing these things less, if it's my priorities being out of whack or just my personality.
I hope that makes sense...I'm horrible at keeping things from getting to me so it helps to be able to "type it out" and get it off my chest. Now I'm going to go watch my redbox movie during naptime and hope my children are awake in time for the appointment that I need to leave for in a freaking hour...Mady went down later than normal so I'm sure I'll have to wake her ![]()
Re: Do you ever feel like your priorities are off?
I'm not very good at keeping mine straight. I'm trying to get better with it but it's definitely a struggle.
Oh and I'm HORRIBLE at returning text messages. I take forever. I promise I'm not ignoring you but I'm notorious for hearing the sound and then forgetting. Mine doesn't beep if you don't read the message so sometimes it's hours later before I check my phone. (Apologies to CC and my sister)
Miles (6 year old Maine C00n mix), Boots (5 year old Lab mix), Darla (4 year old GSD/Collie mix), Frankie (1.5 year old DSH mix), Peanut (15 months old - 09/11), and Bean (arriving Feb 2013).
I definitely struggle with finding a good balance - you do need to focus on stuff that makes you 'you' at times in order to be a healthy, interesting adult. Do you really want your children to grow up with role models that never focus on themselves and don't put enough value into their own wellbeing? Definitely not!
I will say that at work, yes, my priorities are off (hello, bump!), but at home, while the kids are awake, they are my focus. It helps, though, that I'm not always at home with them, and by the time I get home, I only have a few hours to get my 'fix' in, so good or bad, I try to make it count.
We don't do a ton of structured activities, either, although we have occasionally. I admit, I'd like to do more, just to expose DS to stuff. It's hard to fit everything in on weekends, though. DH does some stuff during the week, but I think he struggles with what to do for him (although he has done a phenomenal job taking care of #1 and expanding his knowledge/skills with just DS's self directed activities).
Sometimes, I guess, I don't so much feel like my priorities are off so much as I feel ineffective. Like what activities I have for DS aren't varied enough. I think as the weather continues to get warmer, though, we will work on broadening his experiences more.
Rated "L" For Life Blog
I feel that I spend most of my time and energy on DS. We either have an activitiy (swim class, gymboree, preschool co op) or I take him to a museum or aquarium or zoo etc so that is 5 days a week at least. I do activities for him 7-1:30. And then he naps until 5 and that's my time to do my stuff. Sadly its usually just bump, facebook, watch tv or clean/cook. I really wish I spent more time on myself but there just isn't the time. I need a hobby but right now DS is just my hobby and I spend all my time making sure he's entertained and learning. I don't do crafts with him but I really do spend a lot of time engaged in what he's doing.