With four kids at three different schools, our days are full. Between sports practices, music lessons, clubs, rehearsals, games, meets, and playdates, it feels like we’re constantly heading somewhere. I love that my children are involved in activities, but occasionally, it’s nice to have some downtime. When I get a text or email that a practice has been canceled, it’s usually a huge relief.
Last week, after-school sports were cancelled due to heavy rain. When I picked up my youngest son from school, I told him we’d be going straight home for the rest of the afternoon. He looked surprised. “You mean we don’t have to go anywhere today?” he asked.
When I said no, his face lit up. “Mommy, can we please go play with my stuffed animals? Just you and me?” He started jumping up and down right there in the parking lot, in the pouring rain. He was that excited.
On the drive home, I kept thinking about how rarely we have unstructured playtime anymore. We still spend time together as a family. We hike, ride bikes, and play games, but lately it feels like we’re always rushing to the next practice, game, match, or rehearsal. Had I forgotten how important it is to simply let a child be a child? How valuable it is to have unstructured play?
Don’t get me wrong, activities and sports are wonderful. But as the youngest of four, my son often gets dragged along to his older siblings’ activities. Most of the time, he doesn’t seem to mind and enjoys watching his siblings, but I know there are other things he would prefer to do. After all, he’s still little. He’s just a child.
That rainy afternoon, we sat on his bedroom floor and played with stuffed animals, using silly voices and creating nicknames for his animals. It was simple and joyful. I don’t know if I’ve seen him that happy in a while.
For me, it was a needed reminder to slow down and savor the one-on-one time with each of my children. These years are moving much too quickly. One day, he won’t ask me to sit on the floor and play stuffed animals with him. Hopefully, not too soon.
For now, I’m grateful for rainy afternoons that give us permission to pause and just play.
by Lauren Eberspacher 
by Carolyn Moore 
