If you’re a millennial like me, you were taught that you’re only valuable if you’re being useful. This has left an entire generation unable to truly rest because we believe that you have to earn it. This also left many feeling like they had to say yes to helping everyone—something I’m slowly unlearning.
So you have scores of millennial moms, mentally running through to-do lists instead of being present for their families. I’m here to tell you: The laundry can wait; the kids cannot. We are only given a finite number of years with our kids, and that’s when core memories can really be built. Trust me, it is incredibly hard to be present when spending time with my kids. I work full-time, and although my husband helps and my stepson has chores too, I still carry the bulk of the housework. Which means when I should be present with my family, I’m still running through what groceries we need, meals to make, appointments that are coming up or that need to be scheduled, and the never-ending list of chores.
You are valuable even when you are resting. You do not need to earn rest. Your body needs rest. It is always important to listen to your body. While the laundry isn’t as taxing as vacuuming and mopping the house, it still requires energy. Your kids deserve your energy.
Look, I get it: raising kids, working, paying bills, keeping a house it is a lot. Unless you want to be homeless, you have to work. Some of us, like myself, can work remotely from home; unfortunately, people like my husband do not have that option. So when you’re home, you need to be maximizing your time with your kids.
A shift in parenting amongst millennials is more hands-on, involved dads. Whereas in the past, most of the early child-rearing fell on the mom: the late nights, the diaper changes, even taking the kids to activities outside of the home. I’m lucky because my husband is incredibly hands-on with our one-year-old. We’re also seeing parents taking their kids on trips for their birthdays versus throwing parties. Honestly, the shift from parties to taking trips and making memories is great. Give your kids lasting memories rather than more toys and a sugar high that they’re just going to eventually crash from later. Save yourself the set-up and the clean-up
All in all, the laundry can wait: your kids cannot. So put the computer away and go spend time with them.
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