How much time have you got left with your child?

I am a full time work-at-home-mum. This means:

I am a full time mum during the day to my 2 kids (21months & 4yrs).

I am also a full time entrepreneur (trust me, I have counted up the hours, it ads up to >42hrs weekly).

And some days are just plain hard, juggling it all.

Especially when I have something planned I want to do for my business and then suddenly one of my kids: gets sick, or has a massive meltdown RIGHT THEN AND THERE, or can’t fall asleep and needs cuddling or hand-holding four hours....

"REALLY?" I think in my mind, while keeping my composure.

"You have to do this to me RIGHT NOW?? When I have ALL these THINGS I need to do!!!"

(Full Disclosure: I know they are not doing it to me.

It is them that are having a tough time and I am their safe space, where they can be themselves and just "let it go" -- nevertheless my mind still goes off on a tangent...)

AND THEN, this incredible statistic comes to my mind - that always ALWAYS brings me back to the now.

75% of the time you'll ever get to spend with your kids is over by the time they turn 12.

90% of your time with them is gone by the time they're 18.

Honestly, it blows my mind that I only have so few autumns left....

And yes, I know how intense and exhausting these early years can feel—I’ve been guilty of wishing them away at times—but when I think about this statistic, it instantly pulls me back to the now.

Right now, we’re the rock, the guide, the one they turn to without judgment and with unconditional love. These years, even when they feel overwhelming, are the most crucial for bonding, learning and creating lasting memories. This is the time when we get to build our kids up, help them develop their potential, guide them in becoming their own person.

I’m actually tearing up writing this!

I know I want to spend this time in a meaningful way, and I get the feeling you do too.

Parenting is a developmental journey. One of the steps we need to take on this journey is experience a shift in our paradigms: how we perceive our kids.

Are we on the same team?

Or is it "US" vs "THEM"?

Are THEY deliberately pushing our buttons?

Or do WE not have enough tools yet to connect and bond with them to better support them on their growth journey?

Being a mother is the most challenging and beautiful and frustrating and inspiring and hard and incredible thing I have ever done.

Add running and growing a vibrant business to the mix and you enter the path of exponential growth and adventure.

So my question to you is:

How much time have you got left with your kids?

My kids will grow, our relationship will evolve, I will always be there for them and they will always be my kids. I want to invest in our relationship now, to make sure they know they can always count on me - ALWAYS.

So next time, you find yourself getting angry about a meltdown or another sleepless night - remember that we only have them for a fleeting moment.

Read more stats here