One of the poignant things about the whole process of considering changing jobs has been Jadon's matter-of-fact perspective on the importance of time-off from work, at least in comparison to salary. When I've shared with him the two main options before us, with one making more money (over time) but with less paid time off & the other making less money but with much more paid time off, he's repeatedly stated what to him is the obvious answer: the job with more time off to spend with the family. Earlier today when I told him of our decision (which happens to be the one with the less time off), he even cried briefly, not realizing that the decision was far more complex than thinking about money vs. time off. In fact, we made this decision in great part because it would mean a lot more daily time together with family (eg: before school & after work) than if I stayed with the job with more time off but had to make an hour's commute each way.
I'm currently (slowly) reading "The Five Love Languages of Children," which lists physical touch, affirming words, acts of service, gift-giving, and quality time as the five love languages that people (including children) 'speak' & understand, with each person often 'speaking/understanding/desiring' one over the others. I already knew that physical touch & affirming words loom large in Jadon's understanding of love. Quality time, I'm realizing (& am humbled by), is quite important to him, as well.
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