I've been thinking about how overwhelmed I've been recently. Ever since I started work, I've been running on fumes. Baby + work + house + being a wife + laundry + grocery shopping + a baby that wakes up constantly at night + a baby that goes to bed late + everything else = exhaustion. It's visibally taking its toll on me.
I've been getting chronic plugged ducts since I started work again. I know it's stress-induced - with my Granny having a stroke and my nephew having kidney problems, me balancing working from home and caring for Madeline, etc. It's painful. It's discouraging. It's time consuming. It's disheartening. Have I mentioned how painful it is?!?
So, with all this going on, I've been thinking about a much-needed perspective. If the towels are clean, does it really matter if they are all folded the same? A quick-fix meal is a meal to enjoy. Hamburger helper is completely acceptable. My stove has permanent streaks on it, but at least it's clean. The slip covers come loose, the bed goes unmade, and there are still moving boxes that remain unpacked. Madeline's window is still curtain-less, I need to wash the rugs, and we're living out of laundry baskets of clean clothes again.
sigh.
But, we have food, we're healthy and our clothes are (mostly) clean. I'd rather spend the extra time with my husband (who completely organized our linen closet recently), and soak in all Madeline's quickly fading baby-ness, than wipe the streaks off my stove top. It's all about your perspective. What's important. To some, having a spotless house is important. Some may even be able to balance a spotless house and spotless children. I, however, cannot balance working and being a mother and wife without letting some things slip.
My choice?
The stove top can go on hold. I'll fold the laundry when I have the time. I'll go through the mail eventually. The coupons will get clipped before I shop. Because my baby is growing up and I want to witness it. My husband works incredibly hard and I want to take the time to listen to him when he comes home. I guarantee if you drop by my house you will see that we live here. There will always be something that needs to be done.
Yup, it's all about your perspective. And I'm OK with mine.
7 comments:
It's neat to read where you are now with your motherhood. I go back and read through my blogs and see how tiring that 4 month point it-trust me, it gets better and yes, it is all about your perspective.
This is an amazing post! So proud of you and the choices that you are making for your family.
Love you much friend!
Katie
I have a cross stitch framed and hanging on the wall in our upstairs hallway. It says:
"Cleaning and scrubbing can wait til tomorrow, for babies grow up, we've learned to our sorrow. So, settle down cobwebs, dust go to sleep. I'm rocking my baby, and babies don't keep."
Your perspective is spot on, Jennifer. And, eventually, Madeline wil sleep better, you will balance better, there will be less laundry.Hang in there.
Madeline is precious!
Mrs Ehrhardt
Amen to that.
I have that same saying that Granny bought me after Katie was born. I think it was moved into the attic. I may retrieve it, if I can find it, and give it to you. It shows a mom rocking her baby. Tidy homes are wonderful, but babies are better. Your wisdom is evident. I felt very stressed for at least 15 years trying to keep up. In the end, I should have let it all go by and life would have been more pleasant. Your heart is right. Love you. Proud of you.
Thanks everyone!
It's good to know I'm in good company :-)
Oh yeah. My home will never be perfect. Ever. Because we live, learn, eat, play, imagine, etc here, and some days I just want to play with my boys all day long because they aren't going to be these little boys forever. I've got a couple things I'll email you that are similar that poem mentioned above.
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