If you are a parent......

Are you always finding a way not to be with your child? Telling your child you will be back as soon as you can, but really you are lying to them? Putting them to bed right after you get home with them? Leaving them in church nursery/or the like, so you can talk with your friends 15 more minutes without the little buggers around?

What are you teaching them, that they are a burden, not valued, not loved?
How can a parent be their child's role model if every time you turn around you aren't their when you CAN be. Do you Really know what others are doing to influence your child? Whether they are 1 day old or 25 years old they will always look to you. What will they really see? Will they see someone who valued their time, their family, or someone who was looking for a way out, minimal time spent with family?? The choice is yours. Will your child turn to others for love, comfort, advice, guidance OR will they turn to you??

Grandparents, aunts, uncles etc. are great but they are not mom and dad. It isn't their job to spend more time with your littles than you do. Sure have support, help etc. know where your boundaries are. Make a log see who your child sees most? Should be interesting.

This is no way is saying you shouldn't work or provide for your child/family just don't go over board. A child isn't going to say my mom or dad loved me so much that they always made sure someone else was watching me. I would rather have my child say, remember that time when...we raced our cart after grocery shopping, or we played Candy-land after school, or you left work early and we went to the park, or you had vacation days and let me play hooky with you, or we got a movie, made popcorn and snuggled on the couch, or you read the precious word of God to me.