cake of sunday

I had a bit of a moment last week. Tilly, at bedtime one night, looked me in the eye and said, this family is so busy. Always busy. We never do anything together. Nothing fun. You say we're going on a family adventure then we go to the Co-op. 

Well. 

I dare say she's right. 

A little part of me gets riled up when people keep ranting against busy. Slow down, simplify, declutter, chill out. People enthusiatically post links all over Facebook about the evilness of glorifying busy. Yeah fine, I get it. There's no glory in it. I'm not proud of our schedule. But with three small children and a business and a farm and a farmer's market committee and doggedly cooking all our food from scratch, I'd be lying if I said I was taking it easy. Enjoying a slow day. Sorting out my cupboards. 

However, if you get feedback like that from your middle child, I think you'd be foolish not to listen. And change something. Because this particular middle child is a strong and sensitive minded small person. At some point she'll give up talking to me if I don't pay attention. 

And so we're going to have a go at quarantining Sundays. Hang out together. Have a roast at lunchtime. Go for an afternoon picnic. With cake. 

We started yesterday. And it was lovely. I bought cake, very unusual for me but I drew the line at baking something delicious that I wasn't even planning to try. We drove to Kangaroo Valley and skipped stones under the bridge and paddled and nibbled and played. 

I'm grateful to her for the push, because I think without it we might find ourselves adrift later on. Besides, they're some of my favourite people to hang out with. Particularly that middle one who doesn't love the Co-op and thinks she can skip a 2kg stone across the river.

 

And the dude who can skip just about anything. Favourite.

xxx

Comments

[Merryl Chantrell]

Out of the mouths of babes as they say in the Classics. Great spot for a 'Lazy Sunday Afternoon'.

[Naamah]

Good on you for listening and am glad that you enjoyed yourselves. This is a lesson that I too am trying to learn.

[Angela]

Woah...you went to KV and it wasn't Xmas or an extended family gathering!?! Times are a-changin'... ;)

[Carol]

Was disappointed when there wasn't an amazing cake recipe,then I read the story.
I totally get it quality time with the family best of all

[Fiona]

absolutely. we felt the hurry of family life and made the decision to hibernate ( live in a remote spot in bali) with the kids and nothing but time. after 6 months of all the time in the world I asked the kids what we had learned and would take back home with us. The request was to plan only one thing a day. The first thing booked in will be it. no rushing to another. just enjoying what we are doing without thinking of the next thing. I did say it would be tricky and might mean you miss out on something you would like to do occasionally. No worries they said it would be great not to rush. lesson learned and we mostly succeed. Sounds like your little one is already streets ahead!

[innerpickle]

Haha! I thought about calling in on your parents but didnt want to swing in unannounced. It was so lovely there, well go back, and Ill call beforehand! Love to you lot xxxx

[innerpickle]

Also, when I reply from within email, I apparently lose all my punctuation. Apologies. x

[cityhippyfarmgirl]

Ahh, those moments. They sneak up on you, with what feels like a slap, fair and square on the head. Glad you had a wonderful family day out and hope there is more Sunday's like that to come.

[islanddweller]

I have a middle child who keeps me accountable too! Good on you for listening. We have banned phones on Sunday, that gets everyone into the family mood. Looks like you had a great time.

[Joanne]

Thank you for the photos. I had forgotten just how lovely KV is. Made me quite homesick.

[Tracy]

Wise woman - excellent plan!

We have a "no homework on Sunday's" for those of us in the house working on VCE and Uni (me and two of my kids) and we all organise our study and other commitments around that 'rule'. I need a day when I can stop and read/cook/sleep/hang out with my family/watch movies/spend time with friends without feeling like I should be doing something else. It's a healthy, sane way to do an otherwise hectic life, I think.