Thursday, January 24, 2013

mental health day

My youngest son is home from school today. He's not sick. He just didn't sleep very well last night. He's been out of sorts lately - hard on himself and everyone around him. It just felt like a day off would be a really good idea.

We've a windchill of -35C at the moment (that's an almost as cold sounding -31F). It's warmer than yesterday but still not really warm enough to play outside.

This morning, I pretty much left him to his own devices. As per my stipulation of "not a lot of screen" (I'm convinced that watching videos and playing video games compound his bad mood, which would defeat the purpose of a day off), he asked me if he could make "pure juice" in the kitchen. I was hesitant but Tim said I could trust the 9 year old with a hand juicer and a paring knife (this is when I'm glad that the kids have two parents. The 14 year old would still not be leaving the house by himself). 

A short while later, Daniel brought me a tray in bed. He came back a few seconds later with a snack.



As we sat together and drank and ate, Daniel observed that food tastes better when you make it yourself. 

It tastes just as good when your child makes it for you.

I have just a little more writing to get done, then we're going to make soup (he bought a big bag of sweet potatoes for me with his own money, on a recent trip to the Farmers' Market in Guelph) and then do a yoga DVD. If there's time after that we may do a little spelling homework.



Or maybe not.

I'm having a mental health day, too.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love your description of the day. It really is the tiny, small, specific moments of joy, peace, well-being, satiation, understanding...etc....that join together to make a good day and, now that you mention it, life. Ain't it the truth?

XXOO,

The B in T

Anonymous said...

So glad to hear you're recuperating (relatively) well! (btw, I quite like the yoga photo -- with a great version of "downward dog")

with continued good wishes,

--Sarah

laurie said...

Thanks! It was a joyful day. And Lucy (my dog), really knows how to relax!