This is the hardest part...: My favourite little man

Not to be confused with my favourite big man...

Being off work means our mornings are a little more enjoyable. There isn't a pressing time frame we need to stick to like wake up, breakfast, get dressed, and get out the door, with many, many power struggles and or tantrums interspersed throughout! It is hard, having to be out the door before 7am with a toddler, who is in the middle of discovering ~~stubbornness~~ independence. I was usually driving to work already stressed out!

Now most of our mornings can be more relaxed, with some playing in our "dammas" (aka pyjamas). Reed does however continue to go to daycare two days a week, which I consider to be essential for both mommy and Reed, so I continue to follow some structure and routine in our day. Daycare is essential; I need some free time (me-time) and Reed needs to be his own independent little man with his friends and caregivers.

This morning we played and mommy wasn't just pretending to play, because she was really busy doing something else, like getting herself ready, or cleaning up breakfast etc etc. You know the "pretend playing", where you have a little car in your hand and intermittently roll it on the ground or the counter or wherever you are, and you sporadically throw out: "Hey buddy! How's it going? Let's go to the car wash!" or whatever is appropriate for the chosen toys... I'll also often "pretend" play during bath time, when I'm simultaneously cleaning the sink/toilet/floor...I know, I know, multitasking is terrible, I should give complete undivided attention to playtime ... But he doesn't even notice (flash forward fifteen years from now, psychiatrist office ... "My mom never paid attention to me or cared about my games ...") and let's be honest, the house needs to be cleaned, this is a reality and I have more than put in my share of playing cars or trains!

Anyways this morning I was actually playing, enjoying my morning tea and my favourite little man...