Wasting Time

Wasting Time

July 19, 2010 By Tracey

I agree that being a mom is a 24/7 job.  But all work and no play makes mom a big grouch!
I used to love to read, but once I became a mom, I somehow felt that reading was a colossal waste of time. There is so much to do, how could I possibly just sit there and read? Well, I had a a dear woman in the church library who set me straight on that one. She was a lover of books and was older and wiser than me. This dear woman told me that I was absolutely wrong to think that reading was a “waste of time” — reading allows growth and escape and is exactly what moms should do to help them make it through the week!
Reading allows your mind to rest from the busyness of the day and allows you to grow in knowledge and explore other possibilities — whether fiction or non-fiction.
I made an agreement with myself that I am allowed to read, and to keep it interesting, I take turns. I read a “fun” book, and then I read a “growth” book. You’d be amazed at the places you can find me reading. When you always have your book with you, there is opportunity to read in doctor’s offices, school pick-up lines, soccer practice, and even at band performances (when my child isn’t playing, of course).
It took some training, but once I learned that I could read in snippets, time that I once considered wasted while waiting I now enjoy because I see it as an opportunity to read.
And imagine this — you can read at night once the children go to bed. Did you know that you don’t have to sit in front of the TV every night to enjoy your evening? Because my children have always seen their father and me reading before bed, they, too, like to read to wind down.
Yes, there have been seasons where reading just didn’t fit into my daily schedule, and that’s okay. The point is, if you want to, you now officially have permission not to “waste your time” reading!
While we’re on the subject, please leave a comment and let me know your favorite books of all time!