Tuesday, July 19, 2011

How?

How is a woman supposed to

- do everything she's supposed to do

- keep the budget between fences

- get to all the appointments and meetings

- change all the clothes, wash them and return them to a location to be worn again

- keep the home clean enough to not drive her crazy (whatever that standard may be)

- change the diapers, do the toilet training, and wipe the butts

- keep the kids safe from predators, injuries, and relationship-ruining arguments

- train children to be upstanding and reliable, to love Jesus, and treat others kindly

And still have time for herself? How? It's not possible! I just cannot do it. In fact, I can't even get close! It's all I can do to get to the end of the day and not pass out on the couch. Every moment I sit down I feel guilty because my to do list is longer than my body.

I am so far stretched, I can barely think straight.


12 comments:

  1. Susie,

    I am right there with you. I do work full time so I get the kiddo 'mental break' during the day but Im working so its not exactly "me" time. On top of working and being a mom, I also 'attempt' to manage my husband's business and do our bookkeeping. I fail so badly on that end 99.9% of the time. I don't even think about me time anymore unless you count telling my husband Im going to bed early lol.

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  2. You do DO it every day, you just don't realize it! And when you don't, you pick up the next day, and move on. BREEEEEEEEATHE............

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  3. It's is amazing at how little time you get to yourself. My house is never really clean up to the way I would like it but i have time with my little ones and that is really what counts in the end!

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  4. Don't stress the small stuff, make lists, and realize you aren't perfect. There aren't enough hours in the day to try to attain perfect mommy status. All you can do is your best at raising your children, pray to God that how you are raising them is the "right way" and let go and trust in Him. I found that when I let go of my worries and let God take them that my life feels more manageable.

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  5. Praying for you. I know how you feel, I have 4 and a lot of times i think "if I take the mom out of who i am, whats left?"

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  6. I have been a mother working outside the home and I have been home with children. Without doubt -- without a HINT of hesitation -- being an at-home parent is more difficult.
    Orders. Of. Magnitude. More difficult.
    It's not the children and their sass or their melt-downs or their constant demands. It's not just the housework. It's not just the expectation that because you are home, surely, you spend your days enriching your children and grabbing lunch with your girlfriends and doing yoga and keeping your house sparkling like a Pledge commercial. (Although those expectations really do suck.) It's all of it together, plus that feeling that your not doing any of it well and you and your needs just don't matter.
    I think you are correct: It truly is impossible. "Woman's work" has sadly taken a back seat to the things everyone thinks are so important: gaining status, "doing stuff," making money. But woman's work is the very essence of maintaining society. Woman's work is the thousand of things that must happen each and every day to maintain civilation. To raise good children. To maintain standards of decency. To feed. To clothe. To love. There is no end to this work. It's like swimming -- when you stop, you sink. But Susie -- and I don't even really know you -- it's most important that you do not burn out. You are the keystone to this whole important operation. Your needs must not be forgotten because you simply cannot do this vital work running on fumes.

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  7. I am right there with you! Mothering is not for the faint of heart, that's for sure! My kids are 5,3,& 1. We are starting homeschooling. And I am sitting here wondering how in the world, I will do that, and continue to get anything done. As I sit here not showered at 10:00am still in my jammies, wasting time on the computer. Sigh.

    Hang in there...you are not alone : - )

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  8. I am so sorry, all I can say is...it does get better. You are a good mom and your girls will always remember that, maybe not now, but later in life.
    Keep your chin up.
    Susan

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  9. All I can say is they do grow up !
    Enjoy them while they are young.

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  10. Hey Susie,

    You are not alone!! I have been struggling with this very thing all year - and I went as far as to BUY a book (which is a big deal for me!) It's called "A Mother's Rule of Life"" http://www.amazon.com/Mothers-Rule-Life-Bring-Order/dp/1928832415/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1311215517&sr=1-1
    I'm only a few chapters in, but so far it has been really helpful - practical and motivating, just what I needed! And also just a great reminder that being a mother and a wife is not only a holy calling and something we have to work at, but also appreciate (not always easy).
    Anyway, just a thought, I'm sure it would be in a library near you :-)
    Back to my housework while the little ones are sleeping!
    Katie (Christchurch, NZ)

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  11. I found your blog through MckMamas chat tonight. I just wrote a similar post!! I have 6 kids and feel totally overwhelmed most days! I think it is just part of being a mom. Good luck!

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  12. Hi Susie, I just wanted to introduce myself. I popped over from MckMama's chat because I saw your comment about homeschooling and your husbands fears. I could write the EXACT same thing about my husband. I've read through some of your posts to get to know you a little and I think you are just the sweetest, funniest, Momma ever and I love your haircut! :0) I can't seem to figure out how to get it all done either, but I look forward to following your blog and getting to know you better in the future. Maybe we can help each other through this crazy homeschooling adventure!

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