Seriously - all you moms and wives out there: HOW DO YOU DO IT?! I have become suddenly overwhelmed with all of the things I want to do - the mom I want to be. I read other people's blogs and see them doing crafty stuff, cleaning their house, taking their kids all these places...blogging!...I'm lucky if I get Lily and myself dressed for the day! I have fallen into this really bad routine. And now that summer is over, winter is coming...which means cold and snow and only the necessary outings. What do I do inside?
There are so many things I want to get done, but I never have the motivation to start or finish it! For example, around the time when Lily turned 2 (May), I decided that I wanted to make a picture book for her of the important people in her life. My plan was (is) to use it as a church book to keep her occupied and quiet, as well as get to know her family and friends that don't live nearby. So I sent out an email for people to send me pictures...well, I got, like, 2 back. The project just kinda slipped off my radar and has been in the back of my mind ever since...but I can never find the time or motivation to put it together. I know exactly what I have to do - I have it envisioned in my head...it's just doing it. I'm horrible at starting projects and never finishing them...unfortunately, that's a trait I inherited from my mother (sorry mom!). I have papers piled up around our computer desk, waiting to be filed...it's just always a bigger job than I think it'll be. And I'm not the kind of person to do little bits at a time. Just get it done!
So, to all you reading this out there, how do you do it? Also, how do you do crafts and things with your kids on a budget? I just can't take my kids to the zoo, or to the movies or something...at least not all the time, or as often as some.
Any hints/tips would be great...anything to help me feel less overwhelmed!
I'm not a mom and never have been so I don't know how much I can really help. I understand about having a project but not doing or finishing it due to being overwhelmed with other things.
ReplyDeleteHowever, you don't have to go out to have fun! I know you mentioned being unable to take them to the movies so bring the movies to your house! Set up a theater with tickets, popcorn, candy, juice, pillows on the floor. You do have Netflix so you have a decent amount of movies to choose from. Being creative, and don't overwhelm yourself to make it perfect. Just have fun.
As for doing crafts and whatever I don't know what I can do to help. I also don't know how your kids are, how they act, or anything. If you could occupy the kids somehow you might be able to get some crafting done.
But like I said, I'm not a mom and I don't know how to help much but I will try. If I lived closer I would help you out with the craftyness definately. But sadly, I don't live close by. Just don't get too overwhelmed, do your best to relax. Life is a marathon not a sprint. You have a huge life ahead of you. I hope some of this helped, if not no worries but I tried. =)
Thanks Robyn! Those are definitely good ideas! I think my issue is not so much doing crafts for myself, but involving my kids in them - well, Lily. I feel like I use the TV too much as a babysitter - something I said I would never do. Lily is just so independent and stubborn that it's hard to sit down with her to do something.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the ideas though! I'll be sure to keep those on my mind - especially the Netflix one!
ok, that was really weird - I thought I was signed in as me...guess not! That last post was from me though!
ReplyDeleteWell... I can't give any tips because I feel the same way. I am worse though because I only have one kid and still don't know how to do anything. Geesh. I don't even know how to shower anymore, let alone do anything crafty. I'll give you moral support though. You're NOT ALONE!! :)
ReplyDeleteP.S. I like how there's a phantom hand on your chest in your picture.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree.. It's so hard to get everything you want to get done, done. I am new to all this and can't quite get into the grove of getting things done, playing with the baby and cleaning/crafting haha... Oh well some day hopefully it will become easier to fit it all into a day.
ReplyDeleteI know it was a long time ago, but I LOVE that picture of Lily eating the blueberry! It could be on a card or an advertisement to sell blueberries. About keeping on top of things and trying to find things to do on a budget... It takes a little to figure everything out. You have to remember that you have two very small chidren, babies right now and to get through the day right now is a huge accomplishment! You may look around and it seems like it's so much easier for everyone else and everyone has more money to do more stuff than you guys, but we each have our own talents and a better budget will come with time. I'm not quite sure what plan will work best for you, but this is what I try to do when the world is going to ens because we have just moved, the kids are starting a new school, I'm trying to get the house settled, establish new doctors (for Dude mainly), find new places for the girls to take their activities, keep up on laundry, cleaning, cooking, church calling, just to name a few. I think I get depressed, cry and swear that I never want to do this again or I will never let the laundry get this bad again, whatever it may be (but I do). I then try to make a list and attack one thing at a time. It's hard when you want to get a project done that may take you 2 hours without chilren, but 3-4 days with those sweet little things. Just keep chugging along. I much prefer getting it ALL done right NOW, but with kids it's just not like that. It's a whole different season in your life and changes take place that require adjustments. Enjoying your babies and family is number one, it goes by fast. Try to plan out your day, when you see things getting marked off your list it's so empowering! It will come, little by little. I really had to work at it. We were in the same situation about 5 1/2 years ago and I thought my house was never going to be clean again. As far as trying to find activities on a budget, we had to do that and are still doing that. The library is SO fun for kids and is actually pretty painless, there are tons of other moms. The dollar theater is always a good option. The park, even though I never do it, it's just one I've never been good at, kind of like me and the computer. Reading books together, playing with the girls on the floor, they will forever remember that! Cooking with them, yes it's a challenge, but it's an activity and it's so fun for them. As they get a little older, you will find more time for you. You will be able to read again, crochet, etc. Then you will look back and be sad that the time went by so fast. I know this was a novel and I could go on, but I remember being in you EXACT situation and it's very hard sometimes. It can be very lonely at times, but seek family and support, it really helps! Or, you could just send Lily and Hannah to us! Love you.
ReplyDeleteHello from your neighbor! :) Projects are eating me alive right now! Especially with Christmas just around the corner I feel like I have so many big projects that I want to get done by then and I"m not making much head way. I realize one of my problems is jumping from project to project instead of sticking with one until it's done. Hence it feels like I never get anywhere with anything :) So...none of that is very encouraging but just so you know I can relate :) As for the activities....we use the library. Actually for Lily's age they do a wee read class that is 30 min and then they let you read with your kid for awhile after that. We go on thursday at 11:00 if you want to come. You have to have a library card and register but it's free. They are just starting another class this week. Hang in there!! You are doing great!!
ReplyDeleteI totally hear you Lorna! It is so hard to stay on top of everything. The only advice I have is to take it one day at a time. Making lists help, especially if there are things to do that are out of the ordinary or for projects. AND do not discouraged! Some days will be more difficult than others. Sometimes I have a couple of bad days in a row where nothing gets done! For days like that I keep a frozen pizza in the freezer for dinner and I concentrate on relaxing. A relaxed mommy is better than a uptight one! Then the next day I will start to work on my list.
ReplyDeleteFrom my experience as the oldest of 5 and a nanny for 5 it will get easier as Lily and Hannah get older. They will become your helpers and help entertain the younger ones. I hope this helps!
This comment will be way after the fact, but I am big into sewing these days and since Emily sees that Mommy loves it, she, of course, wants to do it whenever the maching is out. So I take some of my scraps, sit her on my lap, and we get to do some "sewing" together before I work on the real stuff. She has no idea that she isn't actually sewing the real thing since the fabric is the same. Another thing that I have been trying to work on: I only involve Emily in crafts that are not important if they go well. When I try to involve her in things that I really care about, I get really stressed and upset if she does something "wrong." So I don't do those with her anymore because it's not fun for either of us. When I sit down to make her hair clips with the glue gun, I make sure she has something that can be done with the glue gun too. Sometimes I give her extra fake flowers that I have and some beads. Most of the tims, she doesn't turn out anything except a stack of beads glueds together, but she loves it (I do the glueing, of course). Anyways, those are just a couple of things I do, but hopefully that helps!
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