As a mom I often feel conflicted. Should I focus more on keeping a clean home, or more on doing fun things with my daughter? I remember reading a quote by Elder M. Russell Ballard, “I am impressed by countless mothers who have learned how important it is to focus on the things that can only be done in a particular season of life.” I try to remember that principle when I am tempted to think that dusting (or whatever chore) is more important this week than doing something that can only be done at this time in my life…especially because she probably won’t want to be doing water painting with me in a few years. But the other day I was able to resist the urge to keep a dust free home (impossible anyway), and we did water painting instead. And we both had a great time. (Don’t get me wrong…we still do plenty of chores. There are great benefits from learning the value of work, especially when they are young and still think it is fun to do silly voices while pretending to be cleaning ladies).