There are days when I feel like I'm climbing up a mountain made out of sand. Have you even experienced that? When I was little we had this huge mountain of dirt in our back yard for awhile while it was being landscaped. It was a blast to play in. We got filthy. But getting to the top was a challenge. You'd take a few steps up only to hit some loosely packed dirt and slide right back. That's how I feel right now. I'm trying to climb my own little metaphorical mountain of motherhood and my progress is a little bit halting, to say the least. I'm a little sleep deprived, and having a hard time getting things done. I sweep and sweep but as far as I can tell, my tile grows crumbs and small bits of paper. My books are constantly jumping off their assigned bookshelves. The dishes seem to be multiplying faster than rabbits, although my dishwasher is actually doing a pretty decent job keeping up with them. And funny thing this, my kids actually expect me to be available for them during all of this stuff! I have a pile of clean laundry waiting to be folded in the hallway. Would you say I'm over-optimistic if I told you the good part of that pile is that it's getting bigger? I mean, at least I'm still getting the dirty piles of clothes clean, right? Right.
My current philosophy is this: You do what you can. You pray. And then you can do a little more. And then you try and go to bed early so that you aren't as inclined to yell at your kids when they drop their shoes and coats on the floor and leave them there as they come inside your house. Also, maybe then you remember that sitting down to read some Edward Lear limericks with your kids is, in the long run, more important than getting the laundry folded. And a heck of a lot more entertaining.
Somedays it's not easy. But I'm telling you, by the time my kids are grown and gone, I'm gonna have some really nice looking legs from climbing this thing. Metaphorically speaking.
My current philosophy is this: You do what you can. You pray. And then you can do a little more. And then you try and go to bed early so that you aren't as inclined to yell at your kids when they drop their shoes and coats on the floor and leave them there as they come inside your house. Also, maybe then you remember that sitting down to read some Edward Lear limericks with your kids is, in the long run, more important than getting the laundry folded. And a heck of a lot more entertaining.
Somedays it's not easy. But I'm telling you, by the time my kids are grown and gone, I'm gonna have some really nice looking legs from climbing this thing. Metaphorically speaking.
Keep climbing. Some days are better than others, but your children are worth it!
ReplyDeleteI had the same problem with my tile.. not that this post is about tile, but I will pass on a tip that a friend gave to me... put the broom away and use your vacuum instead. Vacuum everything, the broom just pushes it around. Good luck with the other stuff. I never did find a way to get any sleep until my daughter was about 3. I hope you have much better luck.
ReplyDeleteThanks for writing this post for me. Ditto.
ReplyDeleteLack of sleep was always my problem, too, when going through those "mountain climbing" times with a growing family. Glad that stage is long gone. Keep telling yourself, "This too will pass," and it does.
ReplyDeleteIt was fun visiting your blog today. I clicked on the Church link in my profile, and here I am! :-)
Hey, that sand climbing thing was exactly the metaphor I've been searching for lately. I wondered why I have NO traction at all.
ReplyDeleteI loved the line about your tile growing crumbs and bits of paper.
Exactly! I alternate between staying up super late (3 or 4am) to try and get on top of things, and going to bed early (10 or 11) so I won't be as impatient with them. Always feeling like I need to find balance - but never sure how.
ReplyDeleteAlso, my kids have actually grown out of clothes while they sat in the ironing basket!