Questions from a mom on the run - rescuing quality time

Family quality time is the best. It helps our families bond, talk, share but sometimes family quality time isn’t all that. Can quality time go bad?

So here’s me on the ski slopes at a local ski hill, husband and 3 year old in tow, this is quality family time, right? Not for me, not today.

I'm trying to help a 3 year old who keeps stopping and refusing help from a proffered ski pole. Still a novice myself I ski behind her, skis cross, grumbles and cries are uttered; we land in a heap. I’m left wondering if my body isn’t just too old to do the splits! Then my hubby guides us onto a slightly steeper run and through stubborn shouts of "I can't do it" which we both know are shouts of "I won't do it because I'm scared to try" I take both our lives in my hands and ski downhill with her between my legs singing "we pizza to the left, we pizza to the right" to hide my own fear. All the while I'm thinking, "this isn't fun".

So, by the end of the run who’s having the tantrum? That’s right - it’s me. The clocks have sprung forward, I’m tired, in pain and an all round grumpy mama. My husband sends me for a timeout! What a man, he knows the cure: a decaf latté in the sun, breeze on my face, ski boots off my feet, carrot cake in mouth and no-one else to consider. Works a treat. 30 minutes later, after hubby and 3 year old have whizzed down from the chairlift, with their best run ever. It seems all I needed was time to breathe and I’m fit again.

Quality time saved.