Forced Family Fun Days

Last updated on: April 10, 2017 at 5:04 pm by Kristy Robinett

Forced Family Fun Days 2017-04-10T17:04:31-06:00 Kristy Robinett

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I never remember saying that I wanted to be a mommy, yet I knew that I wanted to have children. Nobody is prepared (are they?) to become a parent, and I think back to the time of holding my firstborn in my arms and what a child I was myself at 23 years old. Even though I had babysat, it is no replacement for what to do and what not to do under certain circumstances. There is no manual and every child is different and demands a different parenting style. Micaela would throw tantrums as soon as I tried to get her into the cars seat. Her screams so fierce and loud it was as if I was murdering her. And then came Connor, who was calm and patient. Micaela started walking at 6 months of age, which was a nightmare with baby proofing and trying to keep her in the crib that she endlessly climbed out of. Connor, it was on his first birthday when he took his first steps. Micaela likes her room messy, wears mismatched socks and wrinkled shirts, without apology. Connor has always liked everything perfectly arranged, color coordinated, and in militant order. Every child is different, but joyful just the same. Yes, even during teething, colic and after-curfew feuds.

I was a single mom for a long time, without any child support payments, and spent a lot of time just trying to pay for the roof over our head by working a full time job, a part time job, and going to college, but I didn’t want to miss time with the kids so I instigated “Forced Family Fun”. When they were little we would do it every other week, but as they got older it became more sparse to once a month, and/or during school breaks. It was a day to do something fun that didn’t have to cost much or anything. It could be playing a game of Yahtzee, going to the movies, attending a museum, etc. Most all of the time one of the kids would complain, because it wasn’t so cool to hang out with mom, but in the end we would laugh and have fun. It was 2012, and felt like yesterday when we had our Forced Family Fun Day that is in the picture above.

Although I really wanted to go to the zoo on that day, Michigan’s weather turned on us with snow, rain and cold temperatures, so instead we ventured to Frankenmuth, Michigan. Frankenmuth is called “The Little Bavaria” and is famous for chicken dinners and its small town charm, and we embraced all of it.

Since we didn’t go to the real zoo, we pretended with the stuffed animals. Dumb? Sure. Magical? Absolutely. And just so you know, we didn’t get kicked out of any stores.
It’s good for the heart and soul to just be silly and we don’t do it enough. Instead we focus on all the bad in life, the bills, and our worries. We often allow the adult energy to consume us.Our kids are grown and scattered around, and I miss all of the good, bad, and the whining.

Those with young kids – savor all the moments because what you complain about now will be what you will miss later on. Like most parents I wonder where the time went. I would give anything to turn back the hands of time and not worry about the senseless things I worried about then. Laundry will always be there. Dishes will too. An extra snack won’t hurt them. Or another hug at bedtime. It is just with a blink of an eye and they grow up, go to college, move out, etc. With all that I know now I would do it a bit different, but there are no second chances. Life is too short to worry about toys on the floor or messes being made. Life is too short to not take time off of work to go to a silly field trip or school programs. Life is too short period.

Believe,
Kristy Robinett
www.kristyrobinett.com

Previous Post

April 6, 2017

Embrace Your Inner Gangster and Radiate Love

Next Post

April 18, 2017 Can You Hear Me Now?

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Book Reviews Client Stories Full Moons motivational New Moon Oracle Paranormal Podcasts Spirit Visits Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2024 June 2024 February 2024 January 2024 November 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 December 2022 June 2022 April 2022 March 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 September 2021 July 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What was the rainbow a sign of in the flood story?

Select your answer to see how you score.

God's promise Famine Danger War