My wife and I have slowly started easing into our own definition of a ‘new normal.’ So, yesterday, she took the kids out on play dates to some friends who she knew had locked down their families as well in the last few months. They were gone most of the day.

My younger son, who hadn’t seen his friends in months came home looking for me soon as he got home.

My older son did the same going as far as saying ‘Dad I missed you today!’ (Ok I’m sure he had an ulterior motive but I’ll take it all the same!!)

It made me realize one of the gifts of this crazy period has been the time we’ve spent with our kids.

Never estimate the importance of being in the same space with them. Never.

Yes, we’ve yelled at them as we’ve gotten frustrated (like ‘I-missed-you’ kid dropped his brand new laptop and now there’s a crack and we had to buy a new power chord on Friday) but there has been great bonding time as well.

In my case, teaching them how to play basketball every evening was one. The increased number of family movies we’ve watched with them was another. One of my favourite quotes is ‘If you want to be happy, be grateful.’

So if you’re a parent looking for some sort of joy during this period, remember you’re sowing seeds for your own later years that will yield a harvest.

@lokuneye