How to Have a Perfect Morning with the Kids ?

Sunday morning I did something different to normal. My Type A personality means that my mornings generally start at somewhere between 4am and 5am (yes, even on Saturday and Sunday). I don't have time for that sleep-in stuff. I've got blogs to write, books to read, a bike to ride, a business to build, and whatever else. Life is short. Get lots done. That's how I roll. 

for that brief few minutes on a Sunday morning as the sun streamed through the windows, we were one of those families in the magazines. But on Sunday I changed all of that. 

It was 7.30 when I realised I'd somehow slept through the alarm (or forgotten to set it). Lilli, my two year-old was giggling with her mum in bed next to me. I'm not sure there's a more pure, delightful sound than a toddler laughing and being cuddled. I savoured it for a minute and then Annie, aged four, sleepily meandered into our room and hopped up onto the bed next to me. I reached for her hand and started to draw a little circle in her palm. Round and round the garden, like a teddy bear... Annie was already giggling. By the time my fingers had taken their two steps and begun to tickle her she was squirming in rapturous bliss. I grabbed her toes and started reciting This little piggy went to market, this little piggy stayed home. This little piggy had... Annie didn't let me finish. She squealed "ROAST BEEF!" and so of course I had to start all over again. Daddy can't be interrupted doing the little piggies. 

We played for twenty minutes or so, and even put a call in to my 82 year-old grandmother so she could hear the laughter and joy her great-granddaughter was experiencing. It made her day... and for that brief few minutes on a Sunday morning as the sun streamed through the windows, we were one of those families in the magazines. 

 It was perfection. 

I couldn't have asked for anything more. 

Of course, my Type A personality eventually took over. I mentioned our agenda for the morning. I indicated that beds needed to be made, children needed to be dressed, and we needed to eat breakfast and be out the door by 9am. 

Chaos reigned. Children cried. Knots had to be brushed out of hair. No one wanted to do all of that. Because just for a brief moment there had been no agenda, no rush, no commitments. We were together, and that was all that mattered. 

I've already planned next Sunday morning (yes... Type A coming through again). The agenda is set. It involves a little less focus on deadlines, a bit more tickling, and lots more cuddles. I don't want 20 minutes of perfection next Sunday. This time we're shooting for 30!