when my two oldest were younger, i was married to my ex-husband. i was so miserable that i 1/2 listened to them or didn't listen at all. thankfully, they were still little when we divorced. i realized exactly what you are saying...time is short, they are only little for a very short time, the laundry, dishes etc...will still be there after sitting and playing or reading or cuddling. i am so incredibly thankful that i still had time to do all that with them while they were still very young. through that experience, when my youngest one was born, i make sure to sit and play, read and talk to him, whenever he wants me to. to hell with everything else in the house! except for my kids!!!!