Family Matters By Traci Matt Operating a small business or work- ing from home has wonderful advan- tages. Yet lately, I’ve noticed the nega- tive impact the seemingly endless stream of work has had on our young- est son, four-year-old Ethan. He likes to work more than he likes to play. And who can blame him with the examples we give? If it’s not house- work, it’s computer work, and if we’re not driving to piano lessons or Wal- Mart, we’re driving to the office to pick something up or drop something off. Then there’s the weekend. Working on the car with Daddy, picking up sticks so big brother can mow the lawn, cleaning the basement out for a garage sale… I first began thinking something was odd the other day. As I was busily watering the plants on the back porch [heard the little boy on the other side of the fence call, “Hey, Efan, can you come over and pway?” Ethan, swing- ing his pint-sized hoe at the mulch un- der the tree fort as ifhis life depended on it, answered without even looking up, “No, I can’t come over today, I’m working.” Working? What kid would rather work than play ina friend’s yard ona beautiful spring day? Well, “Efan,” obviously. When I do take time for a special “date” with Ethan—just us, just for fun—I throw out all the choices, McDonald’s, a movie, the park, a bike ride. He chooses a trip to Home De- pot every time. His idea of a great evening is sitting on the riding mowers (all of them), educating me on the finer points of nail gauges, handling every hammer and saw on display (to the horror of passersby), and saying “‘hi” to Mr. Colwell, a friend who moon- lights in the tile department and is Ethan’s idea of true hero because he gets to wear an orange apron. This kid is truly special (and a cheap date). Before I became completely con- sumed with guilt over the fact we’re so busy my four-year-old thinks pick- ing up sticks is outdoor fun because he’s only flown a kite once, and the other day had to ask what that base- ball mitt in his room was for, Iremem- bered some of the positives. Working at home, although a tre- mendous distraction, allows me to be there when Ethan invites me to join him on the floor with the Legos (for just a minute). If had been doing 9 to 5 the other day I would have missed the opportunity to study a butterfly flitting from flower to flower and to explain that he was having his dinner. These things weren’t a trip to the zoo, but they were precious moments in time that can never be replaced. So whatever your circumstances, whether you have all day to be with those you love, or every other week- end, do what you can to make time to “pway.” If even for a moment. JUNE/JULY, 2000 Page 1 of 1