Oh my goodness! You ever feel like you are being pulled so thin that you are going in 15 directions? There are days where I don't know where I start or where my kids end. My days start and end the same. Mornings are so hectic with getting 2 of my boys off to school. Then there are Kloe's needs and the dogs. Getting kids dressed and fed...man, by 10:30 I am spent and I still have about 10 hours left to my day.
I don't know how many times I have said "There is only one of me...and 5 of you." Who takes care of Mom? Who cares about my needs? The answer is no one! I am solely responsible for everyone's needs, including my own. I am the caregiver, the cook, the cleaner, the organizer (ok, I am not very good at this but I am trying), the scheduler, the chauffeur, the bath giver, the grocery shopper...and the list goes on and on. You all have seen these lists before. Oh, I know, I chose to be a Stay at Home Mom, but when does the madness stop?
Just today, we all had dentist appointments. I realized as I was sitting there, after one of the hygentists had to go into waiting room and clean up the mints that my 18 month old dug out of my purse and spread across the entire floor, and then proceeded to eat them...that I am also solely responsible for their dental hygiene. At what point do these little humans take over? At what point do you let them go and spread their wings? When do I stop and they begin? I am having a hard time figuring this one out.
I know they are young yet, and I don't plan on shoving them out the door tomorrow, but if I don't give them some more responsibility, then they will never be able to take care of themselves. My
fear is my boys will grow up and their wives will be talking amongst themselves, saying "They are such Momma's boys. She did everything for them and they expect me to do the same." I am working on it...I promise. It just seems easier for me to do it myself, but doing it myself is not parenting, and my goal is to be the ultimate parent to my children.
I think what I need to do is relax. I need to enjoy my children while they are little. I don't think it really matters that they left all their blankets on the living room floor, or that they didn't shut the bathroom door or flush the toilet and Kloe stuck her hand in it... ok, that one matters! But, in the long run, what I want is to raise responsible, happy, loving, caring adults, and I think it all starts with a little bit of letting go. I think I need to delegate more and care less about things being perfect. I need to make sure "Mommy" has time so I can enjoy everyday, all day with my children.
So, for the days I feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and just plain frustrated...I need to remember that these days do not last forever, and that some day I am going to miss this crazy life. It is hard to believe my first born is almost 10...They are little for such a short time. But for now, I am going to give them the tools they need to spread their wings and fly...because my future Daughter- in- Laws will really appreciate it:)
Just think about all the working Mom's that have to do all those things plus work! That is why the average amount of children per family is 2.5, down from 7 in the 1800's. Lucky for you, you have weekend get-a-ways. I never treated myself with such a thing. I think it is typical for about 90% of the child rearing responsibility falls to the Mom.
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