When I was pregnant I had a friend give me a good piece of advice that I have put into practice. She had left the corporate world to be a stay at home mom and knew that I would have quite a transition ahead of me. She told me to continually do things that had definite beginnings and endings because the things you do as a mom are daily and never ending.
That has turned out to be great advice for me. Dishes have to be done everyday. No matter how many times I do the laundry and put it away, it seems like our clothes keep getting dirty and I have to do it again. My son likes to throws bits of food on the floor and one of his favorite activities is throwing his “spill-proof” sippy cup on the floor. I have no idea how many times I sweep the floor each week, but no matter how many times I do, my floor always looks messy. The dust returns and can you believe my husband expects dinner every night? Are there any moms out there that can identify with the day in, day out routine? It can certainly start to feel overwhelming when you feel that no matter how hard you work, it will just need to be done again tomorrow.
Just when despair was setting in, I remembered the advice given to me before I really had a clue. Do things with a beginning and end. So I dusted off my library card, and headed to the public library. I read a book, which coincidentally has a beginning and end. When I closed the book for the last time I felt such a sense of accomplishment. It was finished and the book wouldn’t demand to be read again. I had actually finished something. I enjoyed it so much, I picked up another book and read it too. I have always loved to read, but have always been too “busy” to read as much as I would like. Well, not anymore. My days are busier than ever, but reading has been one way for me to feel accomplished.
I’ve never been a big “to-do list” person, but I am now. Anything that I can do during the day, and check off makes me feel like I’m moving forward and not just spinning my wheels. So now I’m passing this advice on to you. Read a book, complete a do-it-yourself project, take up a new hobby, paint a picture. Whatever you do, add something to your daily routine that you know has a definite end. It will help balance all the things that moms have to do everyday that never seem to be finished.
27 October 2008, 3:16 am
Marinda,
Motherhood is something you truly understand with on the job training. Having been a high school English teacher for several years, I just recently made the transition to become a stay at home mom after the birth of my third son. This has been a unique and wonderful experience for me. One of the things I have learned in this transition is to take it day by day. Sometimes even moment by moment. This truly has helped me to keep my perspective and to just enjoy being a mom.
with blessings,
Minister Mamie
10 November 2008, 5:54 am
Oh my! I wish someone would’ve told me that when I stayed at home! I understand you completely.