When was the last time

Do you have kids?  When was the last time you watched a child? I mean really just watched them. What are they doing?  What are they thinking?  What wonder of this world are they learning this day, this moment?  When was the last time you just put your phone down and watched.  Don't get me wrong.  I love having my phone.  I shouldn't as much as I do, but none the less I it's always with me.  As is my daughter.  I love that I always have a camera at my fingertips.  And not just for stills, but I can get video with it as well!  When I was little, I remember my mom running to try and find the camcorder when a child was doing something fun.  I know we missed getting a lot of moments on tape just because of how inconvenient it was to always have to lug around the massive piece of equipment that it was back then.  I also love that I have the ability to share the pictures that I take with my family and friends immediately whether it be on Facebook or Instagram or just sending a message.  We truly have the world at our fingertips.  I have games on my phone for my daughter to play when I need a few moments to finish something.  And even she knows how to unlock the phone and take selfies.  Which, by the way, are way better than mine!  But with all the wonders of having that lovely device, it also makes it way too easy to get distracted.  It is way to easy to hop on really quick and play a game of solitaire, or whatever your game of choice might be.  I have found myself numerous times playing a game while I'm also playing with my daughter.  Which I know I need to do better at not doing.
Now, being a student, and a single mom, my life is full of double duties.  I am constantly multitasking.  Sometimes it is almost a necessity.  But is it really necessary for me to play a game rather than playing a game with my child.  Some will argue that for their sanities sake, yes it is a necessity.  And maybe it is.  But I don't think it should be as much as we allow it.  Even at the park I notice that there are so many that are so focused on their phones I wonder if they notice just how many wood chips their child has eaten. We live in such a fast paced world, where honestly, it is sometimes hard to keep up.  But why can't we enjoy a few moments.  We take it for granted the things we have around us.  Yes, I know we have seen the seasons before because we are older.  But why not trying to look at it through a toddler, or any child's eyes?  Remember, everything is new to them.  They might have already been through the fall season once or twice before, but last year, they could only crawl through the leaves.  Now, they can run through them.  Now, they can see and identify the birds and animals around them.  When it snows, they will be able to walk through it, without having to hold someone's hand this time.  Everything they are doing they are learning.  Constantly watching, and taking it all in.  Even with day to day things.  From learning how to feed themselves, to helping to prepare dinner.  Watch and see how they enjoy it. Even the hard things, like falling because they were just so sure they could climb the stairs like mommy (or daddy) does.  They imitate everything.  Just the other morning, my daughter was playing with my makeup brushes and by golly, she was putting them on her face in the right places.  I thought I had a few more years before the makeup part came.  She was thrilled with herself that she was doing it.  How is it that life has changed so much and we don't appreciate the difficult tasks put before us now.  We are so easily distracted and we don't really seem to mind.  But are our kids missing out on anything because of that?
I am so very far from being a perfect mother.  I will never claim to be that.  And I am not meaning to put anyone down with this post.  I just know that to me, I think my daughter deserves a little bit more of my FULL attention.  And if that means that I have to dig around for a second to catch something on video rather than always having it in my hand, I will.  She is so amazing, and is always learning.  I don't want her to remember me always being on my phone.  I want her to remember that I would play with her.  Yes sometimes, I will have to be on the phone, or computer, because as adults, we have to do things that have to be done.  She is my world, and far more important to me than anything else.

P.S.  Did you get to watch General Conference?  Have you ever watched or rather tried to watch it with a 2 year old.  Oh what a joy that was.  No seriously, she was a gem.  She danced with every musical number.  And knelt when she heard the prayers.  It was such a wonderful conference.  If you didn't get to watch it, you still can!  They have it online.  And soon it will be out in print.