I've been praying about one of my biggest problems: I have so much that I would like to do in a day, and I want to do everything perfectly, and then I become resentful of my children because they take up a lot of time (ages 6, 4, 2.5, and 1). How selfish of me! I would welcome any suggestions in the comments, but a few things are being revealed to me.
First, as small as this sounds, I need to go to bed on time. Proper rest means that my patience and energy do not run out at 4 o'clock when my husband walks in the door. That's another area - how to properly serve and support my husband - but we'll get there in another post. Bedtime for me should be right at 10 p.m. How often do I push that back to 10:30 or 11 or even later? Probably 5 days of the week!
Second, I need to just do less. That is a hard pill for me to swallow right now. I immediately think of the amount of time I spend on the internet, I can cut time to at least half! I mean do I really need to read through so many Facebook updates? What I really need to do is prioritize (per my husband's suggestion). What do I have do get done during the day (my personal quiet time, kids' school, cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc.) and then work backwards from there. You can see why this is a work in progress, and this post is certainly not about to fix the situation. I'm just getting some thoughts down that will possibly help someone or be able to receive some help :)
Third, the time spent on the floor with the kids is important. I thought of this because I just sat on the floor today with all 4 of my kids, and they just kind of flocked around. I sit on the floor every day with them, but many times it is just for a minute or two. I think I need a little more of soaking them in.
Lastly (for now), I need to make even more use of my calender. Mapping out the next day, when I actually do it, helps me stay on task. Checking things off as done is a pretty fun feeling too.
Well, just a few thought on a warm Wednesday afternoon. Would love to hear from some you!
xoxo
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I have struggled with this as well...the rest is HUGE and a number of people ha e been challenging me on my daily devotions/prayer.
ReplyDeleteLeigh
Sounds like you have a good handle on what to do! It's just the doing that is hard (I know from experience)!
ReplyDeleteThere has been a path of dying to self since baby #3 came along (and he's almost 5 now!) of realizing that there is a lot I CAN do, and many things I LOVE doing, and other things I'm good at and enjoy, and those don't always make it to the list of priorities. I have had to learn to love doing what needs to be done. I haven't sewn a thing (except a small baby gift which took me a week of sewing in 5 minute spurts) in 6 months, although I love that, and I even think I'm good at it. I find comfort in knowing that this is short-term. I will not be having babies for long, and already the children are so much more helpful with an almost-8-year old as the leader. So keep re-evaluating, asking your husband, and remembering that soon you will be in a totally different season of life, with your kids vying for your computer and sewing machine! ;-)
I don't know if you do this already, but I get up 1 or 2 hours before my kids do. I take time for devotions, then exercise and then jump in the shower. Having some alone time before they get up is really nice and I feel more ready to face my energetic bunch! It is hard to juggle time though and I don't think any mom does this perfectly. Being a mom is tough business, but the most rewarding too! Keep your head up friend, just the fact that you are home with them is priceless!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing Sarah. I'm glad I'm not the only one who struggles with this, and I only have a baby who is just 5 months old, not really mobile yet. It's probably less of an issue of how much there is to do as it is attitude, mindset, and habits.
ReplyDeleteWe will be returning to your neck of the woods this summer to live with Matt's parents for an undetermined amount of time until he finds a job somewhere. I would love to see you and the family! Think we can make that happen?