I want to give my kids my full attention

For me it works very well if I think of what a small amount of time we have left together and if I am conscious that it is just for a few years. When they are 15, they will not talk so much anymore, at least to me. It sounds kind of dramatic but if you think about it, many kids will be gone when they go to college. Let's say 18 years. That is 18 x 52 = 936 weekends from birth to leaving the house. Not much, is it? I live as a mum with the idea that there is a countdown timer and I need to pay attention to them now because now is when they need it.

Also this quote made me think a lot (from Catherine Wallace): “Listen earnestly to anything [your children] want to tell you, no matter what. If you don't listen eagerly to the little stuff when they are little, they won't tell you the big stuff when they are big, because to them all of it has always been big stuff.”

Of course, there are times when you cannot stop with what you are doing but at those moments, I always try to make an attention-date. Mum cannot help you now as I need to finish this for work but as soon as I am done, I will help you, and of course do it.

I also found it very useful to go back to a simple phone with no internet on it so I cannot be checking on the net when they are around. I have fixed a few hours when I am lost in the internet but if they are around, the laptop is off (unless we go to watch something on Youtube).

I am sure you wonder how it is possible I have written so many posts these two days, haha. I cannot walk at the moment due to a muscle that was painfully hurt during sporting so I am lying in bed while the kids are at school.

Can I cheekily add (coming from a helping profession) that watch you don't burn out on your blog and web page! You have created energy and by looking at the site, an amazing community. Although you are the Head Keeper of The Bilingual Zoo, I am sure the CEO and chair people of your board (wife and kids ) would like you to use up your long overdue annual leave to reconnect and also recharge.

I seriously don't know how you personally reply to every quote and so quickly! If you step back a bit you might be surprised to see how others step up. I worked as a Community Development professional and learnt some of the most powerful changes were made when I created opportunities for people to connect rather than try to "be all for everyone". You are seemingly trying to diversify your employment into Life Coaching, but I am wondering if you already give this too much via your feedback. Maybe you will see a growth in this area if you step back a bit too. At the same time you will remind us all that we cannot be all and everything to everyone and therefore need to mindfully prioritise our time....assuming you have been learning CBT or MCBT .

Please look after yourself, health and family as we all have a lot more to learn from your diverse experience and practical trialed methods...hey, you are also still too in the trenches.

P.S. My uncle went to Japan for one year and it has been over 30 years. He lives in Yokohama now. You remind me of him, especially with your comment of proofreading prior to posting. He constantly corrected my English...I am hopefully better for it.