Maybe it's a phase. Maybe Mark won't feel this way during Al's "terrible twos", potty training, or puberty. Maybe he didn't even feel that way this morning when Al was fussing at him on the way to daycare. But, Sunday, Mark missed Al.
I've told Mark before that I want to work less...and spend more time at home with Al. Turns out, my very "corporate" husband feels the same way. He doesn't want to quit his job or stop climbing the corporate ladder, but he does want to spend more than 1-2 hours each day with his baby boy.
It's hard...finding balance. Working hard to teach your children discipline, the value of earning their own money, and the pride that comes from completing a task. We both want that for Al. And, I'm excited that he will see all sides. In addition to Mark and myself, Al will also have other great examples in his life:
-A grandfather who started his own company and worked harder than most people can imagine to make it as an entrepreneur.
-A grandmother who taught for 10 years before taking time off to help her husband's business grow and raise her children.
-Another grandmother who worked as a single parent most of her life, sometimes working 2 or 3 jobs while raising 3 boys.
-An uncle who has sacrificed to have a job that is meaningful to him, and something he truly enjoys (while also serving our country in his "free" time).
-An aunt who tries to do everything for everyone and sacrifices so she can be a "stay-at-home" mother and wife.
What amazing examples of sacrifice, hard work, and love!
But sometimes it's hard to be those examples. You start to wonder what you're working for...money to buy expensive presents and trips? Or are we working to be examples and give Al every opportunity we can?
We want these things, but we both also want Al to remember US playing with him. That it was mom and dad who picked him up and kissed him after his first fall, his first steps, his first words, and his first...everything.
Maybe we will never feel like we are "there". But maybe it's more about the climb (shout out to Miley). The effort to do everything you can for the people in your life. To feel like you "miss" someone even though you realize you need to do things for yourself too. Maybe that is balance.
I've told Mark before that I want to work less...and spend more time at home with Al. Turns out, my very "corporate" husband feels the same way. He doesn't want to quit his job or stop climbing the corporate ladder, but he does want to spend more than 1-2 hours each day with his baby boy.
It's hard...finding balance. Working hard to teach your children discipline, the value of earning their own money, and the pride that comes from completing a task. We both want that for Al. And, I'm excited that he will see all sides. In addition to Mark and myself, Al will also have other great examples in his life:
-A grandfather who started his own company and worked harder than most people can imagine to make it as an entrepreneur.
-A grandmother who taught for 10 years before taking time off to help her husband's business grow and raise her children.
-Another grandmother who worked as a single parent most of her life, sometimes working 2 or 3 jobs while raising 3 boys.
-An uncle who has sacrificed to have a job that is meaningful to him, and something he truly enjoys (while also serving our country in his "free" time).
-An aunt who tries to do everything for everyone and sacrifices so she can be a "stay-at-home" mother and wife.
What amazing examples of sacrifice, hard work, and love!
But sometimes it's hard to be those examples. You start to wonder what you're working for...money to buy expensive presents and trips? Or are we working to be examples and give Al every opportunity we can?
We want these things, but we both also want Al to remember US playing with him. That it was mom and dad who picked him up and kissed him after his first fall, his first steps, his first words, and his first...everything.
Maybe we will never feel like we are "there". But maybe it's more about the climb (shout out to Miley). The effort to do everything you can for the people in your life. To feel like you "miss" someone even though you realize you need to do things for yourself too. Maybe that is balance.