Family time is a variable concept.
This week I learned a valuable lesson in the various concepts of quality family time. After an attempt to wear out my 8 year old son at the pool on a rainy Saturday, I took him to “Family Sports” at Oliver Woods. We tried out the obvious activities, badminton, basketball, hockey and soccer and had such a great time Cameron could not stop talking about it when we got home. I should have known better than to suggest to my husband that we return on Sunday for “Family Gym Time” to enjoy some quality family time when I saw the glint in his eye at the mention of badminton. I have learned never to play Monopoly with the man but his concept of “Family Gym Time” was a whole new experience.
When we arrived the badminton nets were not set up, much to my relief. The relief was short lived when John quickly remedied the situation. I have to say that I am very proud of my wise son who saw what was about to happen and quickly found another family to adopt him. While as a mother I was relieved my son escaped, I was also very worried about being abandoned with “Mr. Badminton”.
While I frantically attempted to return the fast moving birdie with feathers a-flying Cameron had moved onto a friendly game of hockey. As I was attempting to dodge the missile launch of the shuttlecock, Cameron and his new family enjoyed a new version of basketball played with a football. I was very grateful that Cameron was distracted in a fun round of “What time is it Mrs. Wolf” while Mr. Badminton practiced his Attacking Clear and Hairpin Net shots on me, all the time demonstrating sportsman like behaviour of laughing, jumping up and down pointing at me while making the shape of an “L” on his forehead.
I am happy to say that I not only survived “Family Open Gym” but my son thoroughly enjoyed it and want to go back. We will definitely participate in “Family Gym Time” again only I might try to bribe John into not setting up the Badminton. Oh, and for Christmas Lance received PRC passes to enjoy Badminton........perhaps Pickle Ball might be a good fit too.