" I'm gonna be like you, Dad "

 

The Gift of Time: A Reflection on Spending Time with Your Children

In the rush of daily life, it’s easy to get caught up in responsibilities—work, chores, commitments, and the never-ending to-do lists. As parents, we often tell ourselves that we are working hard for our children, providing for their needs, and ensuring their future security. But while these efforts are important, we must remember that the most valuable thing we can give our children is not material wealth or possessions—it is our time.

Time Is the Foundation of Love

Children spell love as T-I-M-E. More than anything else, they crave our attention, our presence, and our engagement in their world. Whether they are toddlers discovering the wonders of the world, school-aged kids eager to share their thoughts, or teenagers seeking understanding, our time with them shapes their emotional well-being and sense of self-worth.

Spending time with our children doesn’t always require extravagant trips or expensive gifts. What truly matters are the simple, everyday moments—the bedtime stories, the shared laughter at the dinner table, the walks in the park, or the quiet conversations before bed. These are the moments that create lifelong memories and strong family bonds.

Cat's in the Cradle

Song by Harry Chapin

My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talking 'fore I knew it, and as he grew
He'd say "I'm gonna be like you, dad"
"You know I'm gonna be like you"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
"When you coming home, dad?" "I don't know when"
But we'll get together then
You know we'll have a good time then

My son turned ten just the other day
He said, thanks for the ball, dad, come on let's play
Can you teach me to throw, I said-a, not today
I got a lot to do, he said, that's okay
And he, he walked away, but his smile never dimmed
It said, I'm gonna be like him, yeah
You know I'm gonna be like him

Well, he came from college just the other day
So much like a man I just had to say
Son, I'm proud of you, can you sit for a while?
He shook his head, and they said with a smile
What I'd really like, dad, is to borrow the car keys
See you later, can I have them please?

 

I've long since retired, my son's moved away
I called him up just the other day
I said, I'd like to see you if you don't mind
He said, I'd love to, dad, if I can find the time
You see, my new job's a hassle, and the kids have the flu
But it's sure nice talking to you, dad
It's been sure nice talking to you
And as I hung up the phone, it occurred to me
He'd grown up just like me
My boy was just like me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5u-KWa3tL-0&list=RD5u-KWa3tL-0&start_radio=1&ab_channel=RHINO

Quality Over Quantity

It’s easy to say, I’ll spend time with them later. But later is uncertain. Work, responsibilities, and obligations will always be there. But childhood? Childhood has an expiration date.

Spending time with our children doesn’t mean grand vacations or expensive gifts. It’s in the simple things:

• Reading bedtime stories even when we’re tired.
• Sitting down for family dinners and truly listening.
• Going for walks and letting them lead the conversation.
• Playing their silly games even when we don’t understand the rules.
• Laughing at their jokes even when they don’t make sense.
• Holding them close because one day, they’ll stop asking for hugs.

These are the moments that matter. These are the memories they’ll carry with them into adulthood.