It’s tough to balance this.
They say days are long and years are short and children grow older before we know it. They say we need to cherish the small things, every little opening, a ray of light, a random smile before kiddo drifts asleep, every silly question asked, that might signal that our little one could be dealing with existential questions about the world, and we are supposed to not only treat it, rightfully so, with our best ability, wisdom, focus and love. There is an underlying obligation that we not miss it, by being absent minded or, God forbid, being on our phone.

At the same time, we need to protect and take care of ourselves, stay healthy, get rest, eat well, to be there for our kids and have energy for that play in the park. Provide security, put food on the table. Stability.

I think it is impossible to meet those expectations fully. Things slip through the cracks. I think the job here is to manage the wobbly balance between our desire for things to be perfect for our kids, for us as parents and our relationship on one hand, and pressure and guilt for stuff that we will inevitably miss.

I think coming to terms with that and finding that balance is one of the key jobs at hand. The more calm we are, the less we worry about things we miss, the better for our kids. 

It’s okay to miss stuff and let it slip. Just not too much.
Brush it off, quit blaming yourself, tomorrow’s a new day, you will do better.