"Don't miss the life that happens in the middle zone--between now and what you think your life should be like. When you miss those moments when you'd rather be doing something else, you are missing your own life. Those moments are gone. You will never get them back."
~From Women, Food and God by Geneen Roth
Today, February has shown its nasty side - the world is covered in ice and snow and antsy school children are home, most likely driving their caregivers crazy. As a kid, if we had a day off from school, we could be found frolicking through the snow-covered fields, oblivious to the wind and cold. Later, as a mom, I remember those "cabin fever" days well. Then, the temptation was to turn on the videos to keep them occupied and out from under my feet. Now, parents stand by helplessly as kids turn to screens aglow with games and hypnotizing YouTube feeds and Snapchat posts.
Studies show that high technology use contributes to associations with obesity in kids, sleep problems, depression, anxiety, language delays and even aggressive behavior. I know how difficult it is to drop our to-do list and engage with our kids on a personal level. Getting out the floor puzzle, the Sorry game or Uno cards seems like such a sacrifice. When you're stuck inside, unable to go anywhere because of inclement weather, it seems like those nitty-gritty days of childcare will never end. But they will end, and you will never get those moments back. Devices and screens will be around for decades to come, but your young children will not. You will blink and they will be high-schoolers, dealing with acne and peer pressure and SAT's. You will blink again and they will be off to college or moving out and getting their own place. Welcome to the "Middle Zone" my friend, with all its interruptions, annoyances and dreams of the grass being greener on the other side. You have been given today- to love and guide your children, and yes, to set boundaries for them when they have not yet learned to set them for themselves. The "Middle Zone"- embrace it whole-heartedly and don't miss one moment!