To the Parents Who Don't Feel Like They Can Get It All Done

[crunchymama11]

One of the Christian radio stations has a little recording every now and then and it goes something along these lines:

You have bills to pay, laundry to fold, shopping to do, dinner to make, etc etc and instead you are playing with your children? You have your priorities in order!

I heard that one time when I was driving home from a playdate, thinking of all the things I had to do. As the recording started, I was like "yup, yes, so true! mmm-hhmmmm...ooooohhhhhh- I get it".

Sometimes it is hard to remember though and I get all caught up with what "needs" to be done "rightthisveryminute". It also helps to see my mom-friends' houses and know I am not the only one with a messy house lol! And trust me- I am not the only one with a messy house. And you are not either!

[PA Mom]

I needed that. I find myself not savoring the moment and instead thinking of the thousand things I have to get done. She just wants to hold me, and I am thinking but....the dinner, the dishes, the papers I MUST get done when she is the only job that must get done

[crunchymama11]

Mar 30, 2015 22:08:37 GMT -5 deeds1017 said:

The thing with me is that dd is always my priority. My house is a mess and a lot of times we eat order dinner or eat something just easy to throw together, but my mom makes me feel like crap. She doesn't get why I can't do it all. She's forgotten what it's like to have a baby and she didn't work when she had me and my brothers.

Not saying this is true of your mom, but it was common parenting practice for our generation and the generations past to not be with your kids all the time. You know, the whole "spoil a kid by picking up" and "kids should be seen and not heard". The focus was on keeping a clean house and making meals and "adult time", not playing with your kids, who were supposed to be "independent" at keeping themselves entertained at a young age. So a lot of older women don't "get it" because parenting is different now.

And the fact is- if you are playing, reading, holding your kid all the time you aren't doing other stuff so you cannot do it all. SOMETHING has to be put on the back burner. Balance is key, of course, and yes- sometimes you have to put the kid down so you can put in a load of laundry, make lunch whatever. But I am of the mindset that being with my kids now is more important than keeping a 1950's- June Cleaver- spotlessly clean- sanitized house.

The cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow,
But children grow up, as I've learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs; Dust go to sleep!
I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep.

[crunchymama11]

Mar 31, 2015 15:04:58 GMT -5 deeds1017 said:

Mar 31, 2015 14:55:56 GMT -5 crunchymama11 said:

Not saying this is true of your mom, but it was common parenting practice for our generation and the generations past to not be with your kids all the time. You know, the whole "spoil a kid by picking up" and "kids should be seen and not heard". The focus was on keeping a clean house and making meals and "adult time", not playing with your kids, who were supposed to be "independent" at keeping themselves entertained at a young age. So a lot of older women don't "get it" because parenting is different now.

And the fact is- if you are playing, reading, holding your kid all the time you aren't doing other stuff so you cannot do it all. SOMETHING has to be put on the back burner. Balance is key, of course, and yes- sometimes you have to put the kid down so you can put in a load of laundry, make lunch whatever. But I am of the mindset that being with my kids now is more important than keeping a 1950's- June Cleaver- spotlessly clean- sanitized house.

The cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow,
But children grow up, as I've learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs; Dust go to sleep!
I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep.

I love you.  and I'm having the bolded tattooed on my forehead 

Love ya Deeds! Plus remember, a very clean, sterile house is thought to lead to more allergies and asthma. A little dust/dirt is a good thing

[lia1303]

Dammit it now I'm all sniffly at my desk. Allergies right??
Thank you for posting this deeds. I really needed that today (even though you posted it several days ago). I have been feeling so overwhelmed lately. I spent 2 hours last night at the stores getting stuff to make a pinterest worthy snack for school today. I got home with just enough time to get declan to bed. As I was in the kitchen making the snack, I was so sad that I didn't get to spend any time with him yesterday and I realized all this stupid stuff to try to be the perfect mom/wife/housekeeper/bill payer/chef are not worth the cost of losing time with him.

[lia1303]

Apr 2, 2015 10:32:34 GMT -5 deeds1017 said:

Apr 2, 2015 9:51:12 GMT -5 lia1303 said:

Dammit it now I'm all sniffly at my desk. Allergies right??
Thank you for posting this deeds. I really needed that today (even though you posted it several days ago). I have been feeling so overwhelmed lately. I spent 2 hours last night at the stores getting stuff to make a pinterest worthy snack for school today. I got home with just enough time to get declan to bed. As I was in the kitchen making the snack, I was so sad that I didn't get to spend any time with him yesterday and I realized all this stupid stuff to try to be the perfect mom/wife/housekeeper/bill payer/chef are not worth the cost of losing time with him.

ugh! I'm right there with you!

You're a great mom and you're doing a great job.

As are you. We got this!

[azieber]

Thank you for sharing this ♡