Last night, way past his bedtime, my little boy came wondering into our kitchen with his bunny and said, "What you doing, Mama?" When I told him I was cleaning up, and he should get back to bed, he told me "I want to stay with you."

Have you ever wondered why your child, or children, never want to go to bed, when you ask them?  Not that I want my 6-year-old Mini Me to crash immediately, but why in Heaven's Name does he want to stay up any longer than he has to? I looked at him, myself in dire desperation of much needed sleep (that seems to dwindle by the minute). I'm a little frustrated because, let's be honest, it's simply easier to get 10 things done, and done right, without the little munchkins about.

But you know what I discovered? It's not that they want to defy or disobey us.. they just love us so much and want to be with us every waking moment of their day. And how better to acccmplish that than to stay awake and stay engaged with us in everything we do, even if it does slow us down. I look at my son and within my frown I silently smile. I know these moments are precious and one day he won't want to be around me and so, I cherish those moments.

To know that the sun rises and sets on your face for your little ones, is not only a wonder but it's a privilege, that is easily forgotten by us moms who have a career (or two) outside our homes. We take it for granted that our kids are as burnt out as we are and longing for peace.

May we never forget who we are to our charges and what we mean to them.  Let's take that extra minute to hold, cuddle and sing lullabies to our kids, even if it means leaving the dishes in the sink.