Tikkabik

James: "I'm bored. Don't we need to do something? Run errands?"

Me: "Sorry, I can't, I'm working."

Then, later that evening, he lit into me for not calling his friend's mother to set up a playdate.

I feel bad for James. At eight, he's not jaded like his older brother and sister are. He actually wants to spend time with his folks, even if it's just running errands, because it beats being bored at home. And I feel guilty, because I know it's time with him I won't get back.

Unfortunately, Bonnie and I are both working, and it gives us precious little time, during the day anyway, to do things with him. It's hard for me, because I work in the house -- so it seems like I'm around, and should be available, all the time. But I'm not. And when I'm working, I'm working.

I've been doing this since before James was born. So this isn't a new routine for him. But I think he's gotten a bit spoiled this summer because he's gotten a lot of one-on-one time with my mom, which I know she appreciates, and which he loves, but it means that he feels bored and neglected when an adult isn't paying full attention to him.

I'm planning on taking next week off. But three of the those days are pretty full already, so not even then am I going to just be able to lounge around and spend time as the entertainment committee.

But here's the thing: James has a room full of toys. Plenty of books. And we've had glorious weather, and he has a big playset in the backyard, a hammock, even a Slip 'n' Slide he can use (and which he did, for at least a few minutes today). So it's not like he's locked in the house and unable to do anything.