Ever since having kids and transitioning into this remote role, I have been able to keep that “Sunday Scaries” feeling at bay. In fact, for a while, I actually looked forward to Mondays because Ishu would go off to school and it felt like a break from a weekend filled with big emotions.

But now, I definitely feel some of that Sunday anxiety bubbling up inside of me when the weekend comes to an end.

I also used to want to get up and get out and go go go do the things first thing in the morning. I think back to the summer we moved here and, man, Ishu and I were out and about, exploring every bit of Chicago from morning ’til dark.

And now, because the weekdays feel so full of work and getting things done, I really crave time at home doing a whole lotta nothing.

It makes me feel guilty. Like I should be trying really hard to find the best winter activities for our kids. The best places to go to give Ishu a fun, memorable experience.

But all I want to do is rotate between time on the couch watching a movie and time on the floor playing Uno.

This weekend reminded me that I really don’t need to try all that hard.

My kid wants to spend time with us.

However that looks.

Whether that’s out doing the coolest thing there is to do in Chicago.

Or lying on the floor playing 84 rounds of Uno.

He’s happy because he’s with us. He’s building great solid memories of spending TIME WITH US. And that’s what I need to remember.

This weekend, I got some 1:1 time with Ishu in and that felt so special.

Weekdays can feel so rushed and crammed. And if you missed this post, I felt less-than-present with him this past week.

So having that quality time together felt SO NICE.

And something will always happen during our time together that makes me know that HE can sense the difference too.

For several days now, Papa has been his best friend. He’ll make several comments about wanting to be on Papa’s team because he’s his best friend. Wanting to sleep next to Papa because he’s his best friend. Wanting to watch the movie next to Papa because he’s his best friend.

He usually changes his best friend frequently. So the fact that Papa had this long of a streak was surprising to us both.

But then on Saturday morning, Ishu and I had a solo date. We were walking over to Target at one point and he said, “When we cross the road, Mama, do you want to go the secret stairs way?”

Our Target – for whatever reason – has two steps on the side that you can take to get to the entrance (or you can just walk around the curve and go straight in.

I think, usually, I have the stroller when I’m walking with Ishu. But Ankur will always indulge Ishu when the four of us are together and take those two extra steps to walk into Target.

I nodded at Ishu. “Yeah! I’ll do the stairs with you!”

He looked at me for an extra second. “You never done the stairs with me before!”

“Yeah! Today I’m going to do the stairs!”

Five seconds pass.

“Mama, you’re my best friend AND Papa is my best friend.”

And that was that.

I knew.

My mission was accomplished.

I didn’t know it was my mission ’til I accomplished it.

But when he gave me the badge of best friend, I knew. It doesn’t take much to make my child feel loved. It’s quality time. Quality time, quality time, quality time.

Not the coolest exhibit at the museum. Not the weekend filled with activities and events. Not the toys or books we’ve bought him.

It’s time together. Time in his little world.

So, anyway, yeah. I’d say our weekend was pretty great. 🙂

How was yours?