Have you ever thought about how many times you will see someone before they die?
Think about that family member you see twice a year. Then make a rough guess of how many years they have left. Let’s say 30 years. So 30 years times twice a year equals 60. 60 times you have left to spend time with them.
Is that enough time for you?
Are you making the most of those times?
What about the time you have before your kid(s) graduate high school? Have you ever added up how much time you get with them?
If not, here’s the number: 936 weeks. That’s roughly how much time you get with your kiddo from birth until they leave for college. It seems like lot until you begin to factor in things like sports, activities, work, school, and time spent with friends.
I am just a few years away from my oldest becoming a teenager and our relationship beginning to change. Friends will become more important in her everyday life. Activities will take up her time so there will be less unstructured informal time at home.
How can I take full advantage of the time I have left?
By being aware of what little time I have left. This keeps me present in the moment, so I stay vigilant instead of passively letting the days pass by. I can make the most of the time we have together. I can make a plan to get one-on-one time instead of hoping it just happens.