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The Last Time I Put My Kids To Bed
A pep-talk on missed opportunities
Last night I laid in bed with my son while he fell asleep. It was the first time in almost two years. He’s eight years old now and likes his space, but last night he wanted my company. It was probably the last time that will happen.
When it comes to parenting, last times are inevitable. Dozens of experiences I once cherished will never happen again.
- The last time my kids ran to the door to greet me when I came home from work
- The last time I sat in their rooms until they fell asleep
- The last time I sang to my younger son when he woke up in the middle of the night
- The last time I spoon-fed them
We rarely remember those final experiences because we never know when they occur. They just happen, and then one day, something triggers a memory. You think, “oh yeah, I forgot about that.”
You realize you will never experience it again, and you kick yourself for not appreciating it when you had the chance.
When my son asked me to stay in bed with him as he fell asleep, I should have been happy. It was a chance to experience something I thought would never happen again.
