Home is where you start from: Mom, getting it done badly

Monday, July 19, 2010

Mom, getting it done badly

I can't do it all. Most of the time I don't do it all. Some days I do well with juggling all the different tasks/cares/responsibilities/fun. Many days I limp along and get it done ungracefully.. -and then there are the days when it all comes crashing down on my head.

We call it, living the Jen life.

Sky says I'm my own worst enemy, and I know he's speaking wisdom there.

{photo by Alexander Somma -used by permission}

I struggle with how real to be here on the blawg- I want to be honest...and yet, I kind of doubt many come by to hear me whine.

I have this feeling though, that there are many moms & specifically homeschool moms who struggle like this. I don't have any easy answers, I'm figuring it out as I limp along. But, I wanted you to know that I'm just like you, that I have horrible days. I have days when I am late to everything and I hurry through a lesson and get it done 'good enough'.

Mostly, I feel like I bounce from one big event to the next. First it's getting my homeschool records done for end-of-year, to next getting Meg to an Irish Feis. Next getting ready for vacation and camping. Then I have a breather of a few days before I have to start epic cleaning for our Bible Conference and having people stay here. Then they leave, more arrive, finally a quiet house and bam- we have 2 weeks of youth Bible school for my 12 year old. This means 2 weeks of driving her around every night and hosting the kids for dinner at least one of those nights. Then bam- it's Irish feis time again. Then bam- put oldest on a flight to Washington for her Bible camp, and then I'm getting on a flight to join her. Then bam, it's start of school again.
Whimper.

In between I have paper work to do for the beginning of school, laundry, cleaning, cooking-when I remember. This week I had two days where it all came crashing down on my head. One of those days I cried.

Sky was good though, after he lectured me on my own folly (linear brain that he is, he couldn't resist) he took me to a favorite restaurant for girl food to soothe the soul. He's good like that.

So, here I am...sitting on a ton of laundry, tired and disorganized-trying to figure out how to get any of it done.

Working moms- total hats off to you, I do not know how you do it. I have all day to somehow get it together, and I don't.

So, I'm still a continued work in progress.

How about you? Have you figured out a good, workable system for family life? Or are you like me, keeping the plates spinning-except on days when you don't?...

Labels: homeschool planning, Jen's world

posted at 7:25 AM
13 comments

13 Comments:

At 8:22 AM, Theresa said...: It seems like just when I think I have a system that is working I get thrown off. So I can relate to the spinning plates thing.
At 8:46 AM, Anonymous said...: Exactly what Theresa said.. My systems work for so long then suddenly something changes and something new gets thrown in there... On top of the typical SAHM duties (Im a single mum) I have a child with a lot of medical needs so its very common that we multi-task and I do schoolwork with my oldest while we are at therapy for my middle son or we do schoolwork whenever we can fit it in which most days means while I am in the middle of medical care for my kiddo... Its not the best choice but its what works for my family and its what keeps us as near caught up as we can be :) And thats all that matters... right? (Though I do wish I had a more organized system some days)
At 8:52 AM, Jonnia Smith said...: I'm wondering if I wrote this post!!! Most of my days are running from one fire to the next, and I have forgotten all about dinner more times than I will ever admit to anyone. Listing on paper (or blog) what was actually accomplished sometimes helps me a great deal. Usually I am not nearly as useless as I think!
At 11:47 AM, Blessed Mommy said...: Our Summer has been a little slow around here, but my oldest is only 8 yrs old, the twins are only 3yrs old. This will change come Fall when all three will be playing soccer, probably practices will be different days and at different times, smiles. Also, co-op classes will start up again and then there are those speech therapy days. Trying to figure out how our daily rhythm will look in the Fall. I do want some kind of daily/family rhythm in place. It is core for our family, otherwise chaos, dropping all those balls.
Jennifer- I think you are amazing and your blog is inspiring. I like when you get raw. Love these posts, it is not whining, but real. It takes a little weight off my shoulders to know there are others out there who feel like I do. Thanks. Many blessings.
At 1:29 PM, Aimee said...: I feel the same way! Especially on days like today when I hardly got any sleep at all last night. I feel like I just go from one big thing to the next. This last year I tried very hard to say no to things and not do as much...try to devote more time the the family and homeschooling. It helped. Its hard to say no though. I think I need more practice!
At 3:13 PM, The Mom I Want To Be said...: Thanks for your honesty! It's always refreshing to hear that other moms have the same 'mini-meltdowns' that I do :)I'm finally learning to use mine as a reminder to slow down and focus on what matters. But, I only have two young children that are still in very few activities, I'm sure it only gets harder from here!!
At 4:53 PM, Hen Jen said...: khourt,

thank you for sharing- I am in awe of you- I struggle with the things on my plate, but I cannot imagine adding in medical issues, too.-and doing it all alone, too- wow.

Multi-tasking is a must on really busy days, I totally agree.

have a blessed week, I am so glad you stopped by and commented
At 4:55 PM, Hen Jen said...: Blessed Mommy,

yes, things are a bit slower in the summer but do pick up for sure in the fall! I try to keep the lessons/outside activities to a minimum, but with 4 kids plus a highschooler, it is getting crazy!

you have a really good point about rhythms, I tend to gravitate toward rhythms for the day as opposed to schedules, just more gentler and natural, I think.

I'm glad my honesty is helpful..there could be a lot more where that came from...!

I'm glad you stopped by and commented, your encouraging words are balm to my heart, thank you.
At 4:59 PM, Janettessage.blogspot.com said...: I am smiling and hear the song.."Your gonna miss this" playing in my head. I am on the other side...had four under age 7, homeschooled all four through high school graduation...afraid they would never succeed in the real world because of my inadequacies...guess what? They have..went on to college, own their own businesses, financially taken care of themselves since age 18 and still love their family.
Now I have two left - age 14 and 4...life is slower and I worry less. I made it through 21 years of running everyone everywhere and we all made it!
Blessings...you will also...God wants our obedience and He is responsible for the outcome...He does a great job
Enjoy...because this grey hair woman can tell you..."Your gonna miss this"
At 5:02 PM, Hen Jen said...: Aimee,

thanks for commenting. I agree about the worth of saying no more. As mine reach the teen years though, I'm finding it's harder, so many things to prepare them for college/life...

I hope you get more sleep! I remember those days...
At 7:45 PM, Liz said...: I could never homeschool. I truly am amazed at all the women who do. But I think we do have a good routine for our family.
At 8:15 PM, Theresa said...: We are only human, we all feel that way sometimes. Thanks for being real :) I always think it's good to admit to our shortcomings even in blogs so that we all feel less alone :-)
At 12:37 AM, Hen Jen said...: Janette,

congratulations on successfully graduating from your homeschool! Thank your for your encouraging words..yes, I'm already realizing that it goes by so very fast- my 'baby' is 8! I keep asking myself, "where did the time go?"

thanks for commenting and sharing.

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