Ruth Bader Ginsburg explained her parenting strategy while she was in law school (at a time when women simply did not do such things) like this: Our nanny came in at 8 o’clock and left at 4 o’clock. I used the time in between classes to study, to read the next day’s assignment, but 4 o’clock was Jane’s time. We went to the park, played games, sang silly songs. When she went to sleep, I went back to the books. I had to make the most of the time I had. I couldn’t waste time.
Of course you’re busy. You have work. You have your spouse. You have your kids. You have all the obligations of adulthood. All these things are important. How do you fit it all in? The truth is, if you’re winging it every day, you won’t get it all in. Something will fall by the wayside, and too often, it’s the time with our kids that is the first to go. Because we can turn on the TV. Because we can strap them in the car seat and bring them along on errands. Because we can tell them, “Sorry, kiddo. I’m busy right now.”
This is why it can be a good idea to have very specific, scheduled time. So you can be sure that they have their time. Nonnegotiable time. Just as you do with work or anything else that matters to you.
What does it say about us as parents if all we give them is the leftover time? Nothing good. They are the priority. Remember that the next time you put another new obligation on your calendar.