I went to a work conference last week and the speaker brought up the term "superwoman." She was referring to those moms who somehow do it all. You know, they cook, clean, play with the kids, work and somehow manage to have a fun, social life. This post in no way is intended for me to sound like superwoman. Trust me. Now that I'm only working part-time I'm beginning to learn a new way of life. That tricky balance between work, playing with the kids to give them a happy, educational, memorable childhood and remembering that the house somehow needs to get and stay relatively clean.
So, because I often look around the house and see all that needs to be done (especially the floors, even though I just vacuumed and mopped them 18 hours ago), I thought I'd make a list of everything I accomplished this morning, all before noon. This isn't meant to brag or boast, but more serve as a reminder that even when it doesn't feel like it, I am productive. Because, let's face it. Motherhood is hard work. And when you clean the table 72 times in one day, it doesn't seem like much. But it's important to give ourselves the credit we deserve.
Nursed the baby 3 times.
Took a shower, got dressed, drank some coffee.
Made the bed.
Did a load of laundry.
Fed the dog.
Fed the toddler breakfast, 2nd mini-breakfast and a snack.
Fed the baby breakfast and a snack.
Played dress-up, cars, puzzles, baseball and pretend baking in the play kitchen.
Rocked baby to sleep for a nap.
Baked pumpkin chocolate chip muffins.
Played with play-doh and finger paints.
Yelled at the toddler for painting the chair.
Apologized to toddler.
Gave toddler a bath after finger paints turned into full body paint.
Cuddled with toddler while watching cartoons.
Changed 5 diapers.
Wiped off the kitchen table 8 times.
Read 6 books.
Helped toddler go potty 3 times.
Cleaned up bathroom after potty/handwashing mess 3 times.
Got toddler dressed 4 times.
Followed baby up the stairs twice and saved her from falling down the stairs 3 times.
Took dog toy away from baby's mouth 3 times.
Put toddler and baby down for a nap.
Made homemade jam.
Snacked on some trail mix while checking fb as kids slept.
As hectic as life can get, it's nice to remember that the days might go by slowly but the weeks/months/years continue to fly by. Despite the chaos little ones can bring it's still important to me to forget about the stuff that "needs" to get done and sometime focus on the stuff that "wants" to be done. There will always be time tomorrow (or rather tonight after the kids fall asleep) to finish the laundry, clean the garage and wash the dishes. But, finally after 2 years of me desperately wanting to be home more with the kids, I'm going to take advantage it and enjoy the fun. And, remind myself that superwoman doesn't exist and that's okay.
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