Juggling Life

Shewwwww, this is a hard topic for me to write about because I still struggle in the area of 'time'.
Where in the world do mothers find time????? Time to be a wife, a mom, an employee, a cook, a housekeeper, etc. First of all, I had to ask The Lord to take guilt from my life!!!!
When Carter was first born I felt guilty that I wasn't spending enough time with my husband....and I was breast feeding so that took more time away but then I felt guilty if I didn't breastfeed because I felt I wasn't giving Carter a good 'start'.  Women, wives, mothers...please relax!!! We have got to quit being so hard on ourselves! There is joy to be had from being a wife and a mother. Our family and babies respond better to a happy person. :)) Plus, God gave us these blessings and He wants to enjoy what He's given us. He's going to see us through struggles. Why??? Because He cares!! It took me a while to realize this while adjusting to parenthood...

Once I returned to work I thought I was the worst person ever! I went from spending 24/7 with Carter and having him attached to me....literally :) to being away from him 8-5, Monday through Friday. The morning I was to go back to work I was sobbing while giving Carter a bath....shew, makes me cry just thinking about it. I was a mess. He was sitting there splashing and smiling at me and I literally felt like I was a horrible mom and I was abandoning him. Not only that, but I felt like he wasn't going to 'know me as well'. People kept telling me, "you'll get used to not seeing your baby as much". What an awful thought!!!! I never wanted to get comfortable with not seeing my child!....If you and your husband are on the same page you can make family time such a precious and fulfilled time that it makes juggling everything a little bit easier. Honestly, it took me a while to come to that realization. I cried every single night for over a month. I cried for more time... Time to spend with my husband and time to spend with my child.

First, I had to get over the fact that I have to work right now. This day and age sometimes you have to do...well, what you have to do. Once I accepted this, I learned how to juggle time better.
My husband works out of town a lot and so do I. We VALUE, PROTECT, and, MAKE SURE that we get time together. Communication is absolutely key in a marriage and parenting. Does this mean we wake up a little earlier to sit and have coffee together so we can simple hang out? Absolutely. I am selfish with the time I spend with my husband and I will be the first to admit that. I need to be with this man. Three years married and I still cannot get enough of him!!! So if you know it's going to be a busy day or busy weekend, carve out time in the morning. Or maybe you two can even squeeze a lunch date in during the work week?? Lunch dates make my day! We also send fun texts to each other through out the day... Communication, communication, and communication will make the time you spend a part not seem as bad.

As far as the evening is concerned, I make sure the dinner I am preparing is quick and easy! Who wants to spend precious evening hours cooking up a storm? I usually do bigger meals on weekends, though, so my husband can be slightly impressed by my cooking skills. :)) Our evenings are all about family time. Sure, you may have a load of laundry that needs to get done, throw it in the machine and go back to hanging out. Right now, Carter still take a small nap in the evening so that's when my husband and I run around the house to get things done. There are times that we have something to attend in the evenings so if the baby can come with us we're sure to take him! If he can't, that's okay too. Your child will not suffer because you all went out. Again, get over the guilt!! It's healthy for a child to see their daddy take mommy on a date. I'm not saying neglect your child and go out all the time. (That's a whole other rant) But, you all will be okay if you go out.

Also, I have really learned to PLAN AHEAD!!!! Get your stuff together the night before. After your child or children go to bed pack the diaper bag, get your bag together, lay your clothes out the night before (just like you did in grade school lol ) and lay your baby's clothes out too. I feel so much better when I get up in the morning and everything is prepared. I get more time with my hubby and baby in the morning while drinking coffee and watching 'I Love Lucy'.

All in all, I can't tell anyone what to do with their time but this is what has worked for me. Why does it always come down to bullet points or a numbered outline with me???? Lol but here it is!!!!

1. Stop feeling guilty. You are a good wife and mother!!!!
2. Protect your family time.
3. Prepare and plan ahead!