Beyond Deathbed Regrets - Honouring The Seized Moments

Hello Hedge Schoolers,<br/><br/>The wind is threatening to blow the windows in as I sit. The kids are in bed and I'm really weary. Tired, I'm just not sure what to write. The fingers are hovering over keys but not committing to any future movement. As they hover, over the wind&#8217;s howl, a request is sung in my ear. <br/><br/>Dad, can you tuck me in? <br/><br/>The request, from my seven-year-old son Quinn. A boy who up until a year ago wanted nothing but the comfort of his mum's embrace (still a sucker for a Mum cuddle though). In his world, Mum was everything. Dad barely cracked the top ten. Then something shifted and I became his world. Poor Mum, publicly booted on every occasion. <br/><br/>Can Dad take me? <br/><br/>Can Dad read to me? <br/><br/>Is Dad coming? <br/><br/>The flattery is magic. I get it. My Dad is my idol and I still cherish the moments we get to spend together. And I cherish wholeheartedly the little moments from my youth. He is looking to me like I looked to my father. The inquiry that is most alive for me is not about a boy to man relationship. Family structures are so nuanced today and I have seen many different outcomes. The inquiry that is most alive for me is about seizing the moments. <br/><br/>When my kids would ask for my time, I used to find myself saying no by default. No to play opportunities. No to playful invitations. In my head, I would lord out a platitude of excuses. I'm tired. I'm busy. I'm just not interested in that particular activity. Whatever the excuse, it was met with a defeated glint in their eyes. This is not just for playing with my kids. I would also default to no with requests from mates and family. Upon reflection, there are a few items at play here. <br/><br/>Loose boundaries, doing too much, and the too hard basket. <br/><br/>Loose boundaries - I set up poor energetic boundaries. Work bled into home life. Work bled into rest. The squeakiest wheel overtook my priorities. We all need time to ourselves. To recharge. For introspection. For rest. Since reinforcing