This is what I have been telling myself over and over the past few months, I just need to slow down and smell the flowers (so to speak). My little world is spinning so fast and time is vanishing before my very eyes! I have created far too much hubbub in my every day life, I am over committed, and under rested. Every morning as I roll out of bed and grab my cup of coffee I reluctantly look at my calendar to see when I need to be where (is it a gym morning, a bible study morning, a MOPS morning, I doctors appointment morning, or is it a school night, a bring someone dinner night, a baby shower night, a birthday party night or a night I committed our family to be somewhere?!) All thing I love madly, but just too much of them. How will I ever find the balance I am searching for? I feel that as soon as I find it we will have another baby to shake it all up again or I will have one in school which will swoosh everything around.
Lately I have been wanting my boring little schedule back. The schedule that let me leave my children in PJ's until after their first naps, the schedule that did not require me to shower until after noon nap time, the schedule that allowed frequent spur of the moment play dates with my dear girls, the schedule that allowed me to daydream while blowing bubbles for Peyton to chase outside, the schedule that prioritized tickling and cooing with a baby that would not be a baby for much longer, the schedule that did not require me to look at a schedule ALL DAY! I need to blend these two perfectly wonderful and opposite lifestyles together to make a perfect little mix ... ANY SUGGESTIONS?!
7 comments:
Amen, amen, and amen. When you figure out the answer let me know. :) Last week we ditched Aubrey's ballet class b/c I just couldn't do it after the busy Easter weekend. I do think that the commitments come in clumps, so I'm sure things will slow down soon. Actually, that's why I haven't made a playdate calendar since last fall...because I would end up feeling guilty if I couldn't (or didn't want to) make the playdate I scheduled. I think every other week would be good in summer though...and it's always optional. :) So my advice...maybe schedule one busy day a week. Get everything done in one CRAZY day and then rest for a few days afterwards.
Have one activity a day and leave one day a week that has nothing scheduled so you can make appointments for that day. That way you get out and do but you also get your down time at home. Family stuff in the evenings is a little different. Good luck!
I remember when my oldest boys were your boys' ages, I went through the same exact thing. I'd been lonely so I got involved in playgroups, MOPS, Bible study etc. and one day I realized that we had somewhere to be pretty much every day. I talked to someone about it who told me that I was missing out on the best things because I was so busy with all the good things. I spent some time praying about what should go and the Lord really did show me what I should drop and what I should keep. You'll find your balance where you get the time out that you need but also the precious time at home with your family. :-)
You've already gotten good advice here already so I'll just say amen to those things! Having four has forced me to cut things out of my life and I'm so thankful for the lesson its taught me and the blessing of slowing down. Weird - I'm more busy with four in the dailyness of life but much more content with the busyness of being at home versus the busyness of running around. It's a lesson I think I will always be learning, always be making mistakes on, and always be tweaking but I'm glad I'm on the path! And for sure for me, I need one day of being home all day to keep me sane! You're a great mama with great kiddos!
Hey there! Found you through Barbie's blog.
I just wrote a book (coming out this summer) and have a section of four chapters devoted to Taking Care of Mom - spiritually, physically, spiritually and in the marriage. I mention more than once in those chapters - cut stuff out - even perhaps good things. Obviously you need to pray and figure out what needs to go, but if you are feeling overwhelmed and overscheduled you gotta kick something to the curb. I wish I could say it was the housecleaning or cooking, but dang it. I think those are keepers. Good luck! AND get some decent sleep cuz that helps everything.
oh, I wish I had some good advice, but I'm trying to figure this out myself lately... I feel like I'm just trying to find my balance and failing miserably. So, as I'm sure every mom can, I SO relate to this. I love some of the advice that you've gotten, and the one thing I can say is that the idea of giving yourself ONE day at home each week is such a good one. Tuesdays have rather ended up being that for me (usually. Unless I need to run errands), and it's perfect, because I'm usually exhausted by Tuesday after a busy weekend and Monday. I try to make sure there is no running around, no makeup, just me and the kids at home, getting school done, catching up on putting laundry away, playing outside, a quiet afternoon for me where I might actually read a book or watch TV or do some crafts... gah, I love it. I need it.
I'll be praying for you, friend. :) Miss you!!
I agree with the others. My kids and I so NEED a day that we just stay home and don't leave the house. We usually have two days a week, Monday and Friday that we do this. Raymond will come home from work and the kids will STILL be in their pjs! But when we are running around every single day other than that one or two days a week, it is really nice for the kids to stay in their pjs and have a relaxed day at home. I've always been such a homebody and in the last year with school and the gym our life has gotten significantly busier. I think every mom struggles with finding a good schedule that balances it all out. All of those things you mentioned in your post that you are trying to do are good things to do, but when you have too much of it, it is hard to get the rest and quiet moments you need to keep your sanity. I hope you find the right balance!
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