I started this week like any other week which consisted of a lot to do and a daily routine like none other. Monday came. It was productive. Tuesday came and it was also very productive. Wednesday came, however, to my surprise it was like a freight train coming to a screeching halt.

I woke up Wednesday morning, took one look outside and knew right then we were not going ANYWHERE! A blizzard came and there was 18 inches of snow that fell overnight. Normally in this situation I’d think that I won the lottery, but knowing that I have a lot of work to complete with an upcoming vacation, its mid-week, and we are going full steam ahead, I clearly didn’t have time for a blizzard!

I laugh at this now, but I really thought it was possible for me to work from home for the entire day with my husband and kids home as well. As the day began, I quickly realized that even though I had a to-do list, my family’s to-do list and needs were completely different.

I spent the first couple of hours getting frustrated because I couldn’t do it all. My kids needed my attention, but my work did just as much. In the midst of this, my phone rang. Who of all people was it? My boss. How, oh how, was I going to tell her just how productive my day was going the first couple of hours? The conversation was actually exactly what I needed to hear. If I didn’t know better, I would have thought she was a little mouse in the corner watching us. She advised me to give my children the attention they wanted and deserved and to work in-between the times when they were napping or sleeping. I hung up the phone and my day continued on a different path.

I ended up completely focusing on my children. We played out in the snow, took pictures and videos, set up a train table, played with that, and the list goes on. We created a day full of memories. In between all of the fun, when the kids were napping, I worked like crazy. In the end it ended up being productive at work and at home.

So what is the lesson learned here? A to-do list will still be there when you have time to get to it. An opportunity to spend a day with your children mid-week because you are stuck home due to a blizzard doesn’t come often. Just enjoy it when those opportunities become available. Children are only little for a short time so be present in the moment and embrace every giggle they have to offer you. The benefits will far outweigh accomplishing a to-do list. And chances are, you’ll be recharged and work even harder when you resume to your daily routine.