I've been spending a lot of time thinking about GOALS and priorities. It seems like this motherhood thing is a revolving effort to properly balance my time between creating happy memories with my children, keeping my house managed, equipping my children with the tools they will need to contribute to a happy world, and you know I could keep going.
As I sit and feed Carmen (whatever shall we call her in the blog world?), I think about all of this. When I am done I think, "Oh crud, where do I begin?" I would so love to know how all of my friends and family find their balance. Maybe I can implement some of your game plans.
p.s. S#1's soccer--HILARIOUS! She is the frolicking queen. If there is a dandelion on the field, she WILL find it. If there's a good spot for a cartwheel--it's going to happen If there's a need to have a water break--she will find the water bottle. She has a great hop with her kick. Spring soccer--A BLAST!
8 comments:
Balance?? I like to think of life as a pendulum that occasionally swings past that place called balance. Sometimes we do too much on one side and not enough on another, sometimes vice versa. But as long as we're learning and adjusting and learning some more we're getting there.
This quote from Julie Beck's latest conference talk has haunted me lately: "In the past year I have met thousands of Latter-day Saint women in many countries. . . . There is much distraction and not enough peace and joy." I can identify with that.
I'm coming to see that being able to recognize and respond to our feelings is the greatest guide to finding balance. How willing we are to let go of the seemingly critical things in favor of the more essential ones determines how close we get to feeling peace.
Awesome pic of S - love the brooding look on her face. Great to see you online again!
Do we ever achieve perfect balance? I don't. Sometimes I start to feel worried or guilty that my house isn't perfect, or I should spend more time playing with Wyatt or teaching him more things. I have learned just to enjoy life and that creates balance for me: a little bit of cleaning, kid time, Kate time, and couple time EVERY day.
Balance is a myth. It sounds like you're struggling with time management. Try using the toddler eating rules. Rather than looking at what they eat each day, look at what they eat over the course of a week. So look at what you accomplish, learn, experience, and feel over the course of a week or a month rather than what you checked off your daily list. Don't sweat the small stuff.
I love that description of little S's soccer. I would love to see it. I have no advice about balance-- I'm at least a lost as you are, and actually quite confident you are doing a fantastic job (the problem is probably that you have three children, including a very little one).
Yay for posts :) Little Carmen is a cutie! And Syd looks so cute in the soccer uniform. Im sure excited to spend a week with your kiddos in June! :)
I love Elise's comments, especially the pendulum analogy.
You know that I, too, am overwhelmed with my three. I will say that it gets easier in some ways, but in others it gets crazier. Enjoy the down time when you are nursing, because when that is over, you will be chasing more:).
My Grandma told me Motherhood would be hard for me because I wouldn't see the results of my work for a loooong time. I think you and I are so goal-oriented that it is sometimes a curse. Perhaps we need to find more satisfaction in the little things that are good along the way. Let's throw away our lists!! :)
Love you!
My only insight is to think of yourself as a tree. Your branches are the parts of you that are able to bless others, care for your family, etc. Every now and then, check in with your roots and make sure they are strong and nourished enough to support your branches. When you have a new baby, I feel like your branches necessarily stretch, so your roots need to grow deeper too, which means more care and more nourishing for yourself. Where does it come from?? Let me know if you find out!
Balance, shmalance! I say do your best and forget the rest. You are a fabulous Mother and I know that you are harder on yourself then you need to be. I am often in awe at your ability to do all that you do with your kids, and all that you teach them. Love you.
Smash
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