"When you comin' home dad?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son, You know we'll have a good time then"
These lyrics are from a 1974 hit song by Harry Chapin - Cats in the Cradle. Ever since I was a young person listening to this song, I've been impacted by the lyrics. I've said it before and I'll say it again! I REFUSE for this song to represent how I live my life. What about you?
The Theme of the Song
The song follows a man and his son through their life together. It is about a man who has a son that desperately wants to spend time with him. Like many busy families, the dad does not "have the time" to dedicate to his son and tells him that they will get together another day. Despite this, the son still very much admires his dad and wants to grow up to be just like him. In a twist of irony, as the dad gets older, he wants to spend time with his son, but the son now has his own family and says they will get together soon. Soon does not seem to happen though.
How Much Has Changed Since 1974?
Wow! You would think that with all of the new technology that has come out since 1974 that this song would not resonate with many people anymore, yet, decades later many of my clients have the same concerns when they take the time to look at where they spend their time.
I REFUSE This Song to Represent Me!
You know from reading my various posts that I am a mom and I love doing things with my son. Yes, there are times he has to hear "no," but I make a conscious choice every time I have an opportunity to interact with him. In fact, he is one of the biggest reasons that I started Calahan Solutions, Inc. Prior to that, I lived a very hectic corporate life. Had I stayed in that life pattern, I surly would have had to mimic Chapin's song.
What Things Do We Teach our Kids Unconsciously?
This song also illustrates how we can have a huge impact on our kids even when we are not trying. We teach our children through our actions and our inaction. What do you teach children? Is it a lesson that you want them to learn?
What You Can Do Today!
Take time today to identify 3 things that you do with your time that are less important than those that you love. Now, work on a way to eliminate those things so that you can spend time with people that are important to you! Want ideas? Check out our Delegation section for more thoughts on action.
Other Singing Saturday Posts
- If I could save time in a bottle, the first thing that I'd like to do
- Introducing - Singing Saturday!
What are some “tricks” or "tips" that you use to help you keep focused on what really matters to you? How do you make sure you have time in your life for the important things? What has worked? Any songs that inspire you? What has not worked? Where do you struggle? Let me know what has been working for you!
To your success!
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For Your Fun -- The Lyrics
My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talkin' 'fore I knew it, and as he grew
He'd say "I'm gonna be like you dad
You know I'm gonna be like you"
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home dad?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then
My son turned ten just the other day
He said, "Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on let's play
Can you teach me to throw", I said "Not today
I got a lot to do", he said, "That's ok"
And he walked away but his smile never dimmed
And said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah
You know I'm gonna be like him"
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home son?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then
Well, he came home from college just the other day
So much like a man I just had to say
"Son, I'm proud of you, can you sit for a while?"
He shook his head and said with a smile
"What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys
See you later, can I have them please?"
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home son?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then
I've long since retired, my son's moved away
I called him up just the other day
I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind"
He said, "I'd love to, Dad, if I can find the time
You see my new job's a hassle and kids have the flu
But it's sure nice talking to you, Dad
It's been sure nice talking to you"
And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me
He'd grown up just like me
My boy was just like me
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home son?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then
