Never Enough

I thought that when we started to homeschool, the boys would finally feel like they got enough time with their parents.  Instead, it seems to have increased their desire to spend every waking moment with us – especially for Zach.

When my parents asked the boys this week what they liked most about homeschool, Zach said that he couldn’t think of anything.  Then his face lit up and he smiled at me, and I was sure that he was going to say that he loved spending so much time with amazing parents. Instead, he said, “Riding bikes!”

I should have known that he wouldn’t say he loved spending time with us.  He doesn’t seem to notice how much time spend together.

When we are in Massachusetts, Zach starts calling Jeff’s cell phone around 4:30 in the afternoon, saying things like, “Daddy, when are you coming home?  It’s been like six hours since I’ve seen you.”

Every day, it’s the same thing.  He keeps track of how many awful hours he has to endure without seeing his father.  I might feel slighted except that my absence occasionally elicits a mournful response as well.

Today, when Jeff and I were tiling my mother’s bathroom, we sent the boys to play with their cousins.  Before they left, Zach hugged me and said, “Mom, I really hate it when you work.  It’s better when we’re all together.”

Which is a sentiment that is often overwhelming.

And always sweet.