Work and Play

I am not a structured parent.
Well, I like some structure, but not so much.
I'm a fun-seeker.
I realized this today when I wanted to cut off my arms and legs going from
homework,
jobs,
piano practice,
reading,
then dinner.
Because my kiddos are relatively young I'm still a prominent participant in getting through some of these tasks.
And it might be killing me...ever so slowly.
Not that the kids were bad.
They're so sweet, accepting their lot.
But,
I wanted to play (which fact I kept to myself). 
And if I wanted to play, you better believe that THEY wanted to play.
It's gotta be hard being a kid these days. 
I don't remember ever having this much to do. 
Do they get more homework than we used to?
My only memories of elementary school are playing and . . . playing.

I've been thinking about kids who grew up on a farm a generation ago. 
They were busy working all day. 
Did they get a little free time every day or was it every few days? 
Is it okay for kids to just work some days (barf)? 
You know what they say, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy."
Well, I feel sorry for my kids because I believe that chores and homework and piano and reading are necessary. 
However, I also believe that riding bikes and laying in the grass and playing in the tree house and listening to nature are necessary. 
I'm thinking that my solution is to wake them up even earlier to get some things done before school.
Poor, poor kids.
Poor, poor Mom (who just wants to play).