The Value of Time

We often find ourselves saying "I can't wait to get to...", "I hope this goes quickly" or "We need to hurry so we can...".  I know these are common phrases around my house.  And our time is precious, right?  It is something that only we are able to place a price tag on.  Now, how do you think your children value it?

Recently, Amazing Kidz Therapy hosted a Daddy/Daughter Mother/Son dance as a way to promote family time while raising money for a great cause.  While we raised money for the cause I saw us raise something else.  The value of the time we spend with our children.  The value our CHILDREN place on that time.

I looked out over the room frequently to a sea of smiling, happy faces; both from the children and the adults.  And it was not because they were getting tasks done on their to do lists or completing chores or finishing a project.  It was not because they were full of treats (although the desserts were amazing!) or they had games to play or they were with their friend (in fact most children did not know any others there).  The reason was simple; it was about the time they got together.  That's it.  They were spending uninterrupted time together, having fun and and making memories.

Trust me, I get it. Life happens and things need to get done.  But I learned a valuable lesson that night: Plan for the just them time.  Shut down the electronics, wait to complete the To Do lists, and just be there for them time.  It does not have to be fancy; it can be 20 minutes in the park, a walk around the block or sitting at the dinner table as a family talking about the day with no phones allowed.  Children value our time more than I believe we do and the satisfaction they receive from getting that time from us...priceless.

Why I Became an OT

I find myself stunned these days when answering the question: How long have you been a therapist?  When I respond almost 15 years, I cannot believe my own ears.  But, this is the truth and it feels like just yesterday when I left college with that degree in hand ready to save the world.  And I guess you could say, the reason it feels like that is because I still feel like that!

I have known since the age of 14 what I wanted to be.  A very dear family friend introduced me to the world of OT and what it could do for children and I was hooked!  I spent a day with her seeing the little lives she was changing (yes, this was way before the HIPPA days!) and I knew there was nothing else I wanted to do.  And so then the question I am always asked is, Why?

In my opinion and in my experience, OT can literally change the lives of those that we serve.  I help children and families overcome obstacles, achieve goals and enhance their quality of life everyday!  Occupational therapists are trained in evaluating the strengths and areas of opportunity for each child, developing a plan for them and their family and providing skilled treatment to help them meet those goals.  No success is a small one and the look in a child's eyes when they realize they are able to do something...priceless!  And yes, it may look like I get to play all day (well, I do, BUT with a purpose!), however, each treatment is well planned and thought out with modifications made, situations manipulated and obstacles provided all to work towards continued development of strengths while enhancing weaknesses.

Now, I am no super hero (although I do still believe I can save the world, it just depends on what world we are talking about!).  I am an OT, down to the very fiber of my being.  It is who I am, not what I am.  There are several little faces out there that carry a piece of my heart with them always because I was given the privilege and honor of working with them.  I am inspired everyday by the determination and strength of the children and families I work with.  Not a bad gig, right?

So, on this 100 year anniversary of Occupational Therapy, I share in the excitement of my colleagues over where we have come, what we do today and what the future holds for our profession and the individuals that we will continue to serve.