Dr. Seuss has always been very wise.  One of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite books of his (Oh, the Places You’ll Go!): “So be sure when you step, Step with care and great tact and remember that Life’s a Great Balancing Act.”

Balance means Kiran is sitting next to me in my bed right now, as I type this.  His hand is on my leg, and he is playing with his body, sitting back into the pile of pillows and pulling himself back upright to sitting.  He keeps putting his ear against the side, either because it’s cool and feels good or he likes to hear the clacking of the keys.  He has already tried to eat the laptop once.  He is watching me write.

Balance means fitting in self-care, even when it means I literally have to be accountable to another human being and have to put it in my calendar, as if it’s as important as all of the things on Kiran’s calendar (And it is.  I know.  It is, but I don’t treat it like it is.)

Balance means, after a day at preschool, a meeting with his school SLP right after, two therapies at Childserve this afternoon, and a very dedicated oral dinner practice time, we came downstairs to read.  Just to read.  I didn’t bring the button with “Turn” recorded on it.  I thought about it.  We “should” be working on it.  But balance means sometimes, we’ve worked enough on our goals for one day.  Balance means sometimes, I just want to snuggle up in bed and read some of my favorite books to my favorite human.

Next up: The Knowing Book by Rebecca Kai Dotlich.  This entire book is one of my favorites, but I will leave you with what may be my most favorite part: “Run often and fast, toward or away from something.  Trust yourself to know which.  And trust yourself to know when, by the chanting clocks that hang on walls of dreams.  This is called wise and this is called brave.”

Kiran is now lying down next to me, impatiently pulling at my sleeve.  As if he is saying – enough, mama, balance.

It’s time to read.