…ways to maintain quality when the seasons change.
Quality over quantity: It’s not a new concept, but it’s one I’ve been focused on for a few years now. As we wrap up the second week of July and find ourselves with just a few weeks left of summer vacation before the kids go back to school, it’s been on my mind. It’s a constant reminder that our calendar is quickly heading back into “overstimulated” territory, and I find myself wondering how I can keep quality at the forefront of my mind as we begin a new season with the kids.
More stuff, more plans, more noise, more commitment, and more things to clean (hello, sports uniforms and lunchboxes), more things to organize, and more things to maintain are on the horizon. Sometimes it’s difficult to find quality when there’s so much quantity, but no one said being parents to four kids would be a breeze.
Since I’m focused on quality, these are the four things I’m making a conscious effort to prioritize as August approaches.
- Quality Time Over a Packed Calendar
Sundays are sacred in our house. It’s family day. It’s the one day a week we don’t have to be anywhere or do anything, and I’m going to maintain that as the new school year approaches. Slow Sundays that might turn into a pool party with friends, or an impromptu dinner at our favorite restaurant. Or maybe just a pool day at home with the kids and a movie before bed.
Sundays are sacred, but I’m also making it a point to keep the calendar from becoming overwhelming. It’s good for everyone, but particularly my sanity (and therefore the sanity of all of my children as well as my husband).
- Quality Presence Over Physical Presence
We go to every game, match, set, whatever. We don’t miss those. But it’s also really easy to get distracted while watching our kids play. My goal is to focus more on being less distracted. Not answering emails or messages while I’m in the golf cart at a golf match or in the stands for a football game. Not being distracted by calls or anything else that can absolutely wait while I take the time to focus on my babies and their achievements.
- Quality Connections Over Superficial Conversation
Truth be told, I actually excel at this. I am so good at this; I don’t even know why I put it on the list. Unless you’re something I enjoy spending time with or sitting with in the stands, I actively seek out a place to sit away from everyone else. I don’t like people, so this is not difficult for me.
- Quality Moments Over Perfect Moments
So, this one will be a bit more difficult for me as a raging perfectionist who likes everything just so all the time, constantly, no matter what. Hey, I do my best (and then I perfect it). But I’m going to try really hard this year to focus on just enjoying the moment rather than attempting to make every moment perfect. So what if dinner isn’t plated to perfection? So what if my hair isn’t perfect before we leave the house? So what if my water bottle doesn’t match my ensemble? I will survive.
It’s more important for me to be fully present in the moments I share with my family than to try to make sure every last detail is perfect. Especially since I’m not even positive my kids even notice the perfect details (I notice them, so this will be an absolute test of my OCD, but I think I can do it).
Happy Friday, friends! Here’s to choosing quality in the quiet moments and the life we live.
Tiffany Raiford 