When my daughter was in kindergarten, I relayed to my boss something undesirable that she did.

“Where does she get this from? I just don’t understand.” I insisted.

My boss laughed. By the look on my face, he quickly realized I was not joking.

“You’re serious?” He said.

“Yes!” I said emphatically.

Silence. I walked out of his office and thought about it all day. When I got home that night, I told my husband what happened. “Please tell me … do I do that? Does she get it from me?”

He waited a moment looking gently at me, and then said softly, “Honey … you’re getting better.”

I appreciate greatly his honesty. It was after that moment that I took the not-so-desirable behaviors or attitudes I saw in my daughter and put them to thought and prayer asking, “Do I do this?” The majority of the time, I was guilty.

Have you ever had one of those moments where you realized your child is mimicking you? Usually they don’t pick up on the magnificent qualities we possess. Instead they pick up on the little irritating things we tend to not see ourselves.

Our children are a mirror for us. We cannot do one thing and expect they will not follow suit. They watch our every action, move, behavior, and attitude — they are great copycats.

Let’s work hard to be a great example for our children.

Your example is much more powerful than anything you can ever say. — Elisabeth Elliot

Typically, at this time each year I find myself baffled at how quickly summer has passed and how little I did on the list I hoped to accomplish. This year is no different.

How is it that each day is quickly consumed and we find ourselves at the end of the day wondering how we spent our time? I often find myself discouraged when the day ends and my list did not budge. But when it comes down to it, I have to ask myself what is more important — my list or my influential role as a mom?

Obviously being a mom is most important, but I wish I could readily say each evening, “Today, I made my role as a mom my top priority.” I’m human and I fail at times like everyone else. Life crowds in swiftly and at times I find myself giving in to its push.

It is times such as these that I have to stop and remember to not forget the little things that matter. Breakfast together. Listening to my daughter without multi-tasking. Joining her interests for the day, rather than finagling her into my life demands. Just hanging out, laughing, talking, and being together.

These things matter every day. It’s the little things that make a big difference. Even though not mapped out on our to-do list, they should top a parent’s list.

Do our children know by our actions that they top our priority list? Perhaps some days, but if you’re like me … some days not so much.

God’s plans for parents are significant and I’m pretty sure checking off a to-do list isn’t at the top. As parents, let’s remember the little things God has purposed us to do and be for our children.

As a reminder to me of my powerful role as a mother, I wrote out my heart’s prayer and set it on my desk for me to see every day.

“Guide me Lord to do what You desire me to do this day! May it not be just a list of things to accomplish, but a day to fulfill Your plans.”

Do you ever feel like if you blink, a month will go by? I blinked and now it’s the end of April. Granted being very sick this month didn’t help. Days flew by as I daily melted into the couch and a 15 minute run to the grocery store caused me to need to take another nap.

Now that I’m on the mends, I realize in one month — school is out. How did my daughter’s first year of middle school fly by so fast? Time just doesn’t slow down.

Each summer, my daughter and I come up with a plan. Some days the plan works, other days it’s a bit faulty. Working from home has its difficulties at times as my office door is usually open but does not display a sign, “Don’t interrupt me, I’m busy.” Nevertheless, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I just need to keep my priorities straight.

When it comes down to it, I’m a mom first before I am an employee. My responsibility is first with nurturing, teaching, and raising my daughter. Working for my employer is secondary.

When my daughter was born, never were my thoughts, “Great, now she can tag along through life while I do my thing.” Instead, my convictions circled around how to be the parent God intended me to be.

There are days, I have to remind myself of that. Days when work demands turn a relentless squeaky wheel. Days when chauffeur duties and errands consume my time. Time flies …

My daughter and I sat down this week compiling a list of things we’d like to do this summer, how we’d like to spend our time, activities we’d like to do. I’m not sure how and when the working hours in each day will play out, but those details are secondary.

After working eighteen years in the legal field, I’m grateful for the opportunity to work from home now. It’s been two years since I made that decision. It meant giving up much, but in reality … I was only trading for something better.

This summer we’ll be making memories, learning new things, and building our relationship. That is my priority.

Take time for your children. Show them they top your list!

We need time to dream, time to remember,

and time to reach the infinite. Time to be. — Gladys Taber