Value of Time

Hans has a dance class on Thursdays from 4:30 to 5:30 pm. Last Thursday, we got there about 20 minutes early. While Craigley, Hans and I were waiting in the car, a Dad with 2 daughters arrived and parked beside us and got out. Hans wanted to get out of the car as well and hang out with the girls. So, Hans and I got out; however Craigley decided to wait in the car.

The 3 kids started running around and they didn't care that there was still a 15 minute wait! This Dad, the other parent, asked if he could leave his daughters with me. I responded in the affirmative and he took off! Craigley threw his arms up in the air in the car and looked like he was ready to take off as well! What a predicament!

When we got home, Craigley decided to give me a lecture on the value of my time. Craigley enjoys giving lectures. His lectures last several minutes and since this is a post on the value of time, I will summarize in a couple of sentences. Craigley was frustrated that I wasn't the parent who left her child with the other parent and bought us 15 minutes of time. Instead I was the parent who spent 15 minutes of her time!

I wasn't sorry about helping another parent; I would do it again! However, I sincerely apologized to Craigley for making him wait. My solution was to perhaps arrive on time and not be there too early?! That way, I don't have to put myself in a situation where others are taking advantage of my time!! Craigley felt like that is not the solution. He simply wanted me to be aware of the value of my time next time...translate that to "leave Hans with the other parent and leave"! I couldn't provide a guarantee of that happening right away; I am a slow learner.

Anyways, I decided to share this incident with ASid. There are always lessons to be learned even from his parents' disagreeing about things in general. ASid listened to everything and this is what he had to say...at least, I will try to capture his ‎perspective on the incident as accurately as possible.

ASid remembered something Craigley told him many moons ago, "Nothing in Life is free". Given that, ASid told me that I did not spend my time for nothing! He actually assured me that the 15 minutes I spent taking care of the 2 girls bought me the other parent's goodwill. ASid figured that I would be paid in some format in the future...it could be a ride I need or something else. Value of my time can be measured in many ways!

I know I brought up the lack of a frontal lobe in teenagers in a couple of posts, but I must confess that I was impressed with my first born!‎ Some days, he is brilliant!