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As Michelle has mentioned, this season has been a challenging transition for both of us. I’ve mentioned it as well sharing about our new events and my attempt at a new schedule. But, pretty much right after I posted my new schedule, I started feeling really overwhelmed with…well, everything. I couldn’t keep up with cooking or cleaning or blogging. And I just felt like a failure as a parent. I read some of your comments encouraging me to rest and I talked to friends and family about how I was feeling. Almost everyone affirmed, I am trying to do a lot. I have a lot of demands with 3 little ones practically all the same age. And I am with them almost all the time.
After those conversations and remembering encouraging words from my friends and my mom and my husband, I had to admit it. I can’t do it all. And I’m not failing as a wife or a mom just because I can’t keep up with this pace. This is a different season with different needs and challenges. I want to enjoy my family and my home, not be stressed and overwhelmed and guilty all the time. I’m a little teary just writing this because I think the Lord is freeing me from this heavy burden of responsibility I have carried to do it all, all the time.
So, these 3 precious little ones have started Preschool 2 days a week at a local church.
They just go for half the day. But I can’t tell you how amazing 4 hours to myself feels! Part of my challenge with the tasks that I have on my plate is I very rarely have a long amount of uninterrupted time to do anything. With cooking and cleaning, I have been trying to do a little (that feels like a lot) every day. And I basically feel behind all the time. So I’m going to try to do most of my bulk cooking on one of those days and most of my cleaning on the other day. Hopefully with this, I can feel the freedom to just play with my kids or sit down and rest during nap time. Those hours also give me a bit of a mental break from having toddler conversations. :) I’ll let you know how it goes.
Have you had to admit you can’t do it all?
Hi Stacey & Michelle,
Yes! I have had to admit that I can’t do it all. When the kids were little and even now. I remember meeting David at the door one evening when the kids were toddlers, crying that I hadn’t gotten anything done all day. He very calmly asked if everyone was safe and fed and happy. When I answered ‘Yes” he said then you have done your job. What a burden was lifted.
Now that they are 14 & 16, we still have days like that! Today was bill paying, grocery shopping and on top of that the girl and I are getting ready for a craft fair on Saturday. Guess What? The house is messy, not much school got done, but so what, the important things , for today, got done. Next week will be back to normal and they will be flying thru the bookwork.
Take each season of life as it comes, and know that things will change. Each season will have it’s own ‘normal’, whatever that is.
Hugs to you all,
Susan
Thank you Susan!! It’s always good to hear someone on the “other side” of the season I’m in. We’ll make it, huh?
I appreciate your words.