When it was just Blake he was on a pretty structured schedule (actually he still is), so I knew what time I had and I could have time to do the things I needed to do as well as the things I wanted to do. Colby... well Colby still doesn't have a schedule... or anything close to a schedule. So some days I have an hour with both boys sleeping... other days I'm lucky to have 5 minutes. I will watch some of my tv shows while Colby is awake and I can work on the computer while playing with him. But, when Blake is up Noggin, Nick Jr., or PBS is on (if the tv is on at all)... and if it was up to Blake I wouldn't go anywhere near the computer.
I don't like leaving all the cleaning and such for after the boys go to sleep. I would rather have that time to spend with Richard, or do something I enjoy... not something I HAVE to do.
I know I will find a balance... at sometime in the future... but until then... well... I can just do what I can do!
What do you do to find balance in your life?
It is very hard to find balance! It is a daily intentional process!! Good luck... when you find the magic pill... let me know!! :o)
ReplyDeleteI think if you could figure out the balancing act you could make some money off of it! I'm a mom of two boys as well - Gabriel just turned 6 and Jeremy is 2-1/2. I'm still working on the balance, especially on the days when unexpected things happen (like they get sick). What I have figured out is to schedule a babysitter in the evenings one time per week. 3-4 hours usually does it. During those times I go OUT of the house and do relaxing things like I enjoy (like walking on the beach at sunset). I think it's critical to schedule somebody else to watch the kids at a specific time. Unless an emergency comes up, the likelihood is that you will be guaranteed to have some time to yourself -- and that rejuvenation can last a whole week!
ReplyDeleteI know I don't have kids but it is still hard to find balance.. Between work and after school work and tutoring and cooking and cleaning and taking care of brian, LOL... it's hard to find me time!!hopefully i will get a new job that will bring some peace of mind!!
ReplyDeleteI feel like we are spinning out of control with 3 kids all in different activities, so I am no help, but it is kindof nice to know that other mom's struggle finding balance at times.
ReplyDeleteI remember the days when my kids were younger (I have 4 kids, ages 9, 8, 8, 5) and shared your fustration. When my oldest 3 were all under 2, I remember that I had to keep them all on a schedule, no questions asked. Sounds terrible, but, kids adapt. Even worked until the oldest went to school. They all had manditory nap time. Everyone had to nap, at least be quite in their room, between the hours of 1-3. Also, your oldest is old enough to start to help (take his own plate from the table to the sink after scrapping in trash first, or picking up his own toys). Kids are pretty good at doing what is expected of them, even if you might think they are too young.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with finding the balance- I know i strugge with it. I try, but it is so hard. I guess we just do our best and hope we don't completely mess up our kids :)
ReplyDeleteI am no help, things feel so crazy for me lately. I keep praying for some balance.. Not even sure what I can do at this point to make it better. Working from home with the kids still here is tough..
ReplyDeleteSomeone told me we should try to do our stuff when the kids are awake so that we have time for ourselves when they sleep. Easier said then done, especially when you have one like me that gets into everything.
If you figure a good solution, please share.
Oh my...if you could figure that out you would be a millionaire! Allie isn't on a schedule yet either and there are days(like today)that she doesn't want to be put down.
ReplyDeleteJust hang in there...it'll get alittle easier and the schedule will fall into place again. That's what I tell myself at least :)
Finding balance in my life... is accepting the reality that it is constantly changing!
ReplyDeleteEmbracing and appreciating today... because finding "balance" for tomorrow... will look and feel very different tomorrow.
(and I'll tell ya, there where days when the 4 boys were little that I clung to the hope that tomorrow would be different... if I could only survive that day!)
Sadly, I'm still searching for balance. I think if I get Christ to stay in the #1 position and have my quality time with Him each day, everything else will work out the way it should.
ReplyDeleteI struggle with that too. I found a cheap cleaning lady for just my bathrooms. That has helped a lot!
ReplyDeleteWhen my second child was born my entire schedule and day changed and I had to adjust! Don't worry balance will come with time!
ReplyDeleteBalance. I crave it. Still haven't figured it all out. It seems like when I'm really "on" at school, then home suffers. And vice versa.
ReplyDeleteI just don't know.
I do know that we try our best, and that we're probably doing better than we give ourselves credit for.