[Image credit: Stuart Miles]

A year ago my daughter and I started making it a date to watch the show Parenthood together each week.  The new season began three episodes ago, and it’s something I look forward to every Tuesday.  Last week, however, my daughter was in a crabby mood.  Any time she made a comment that I didn’t catch the first time, she’d repeat with an edge to her tone.  It didn’t take me long into the hour to realize it was going to be one of those just enjoy being together mother-daughter moments.  During commercials we silently played Words With Friends with each other on our respective laptops.  When the show was over and she stood to leave the room, I thanked her for spending time with me.  I barely noticed an imperceptible softening in her voice.  Thank YOU, she said.  And that was that.  I can’t wait until tonight’s “date.”  Really.

Do you allow those just enjoy being together moments to happen, or try to force your own agenda?