Time and Energy – my two biggest enemies.
I can’t seem to find both together, and sometimes I can’t even find them individually. I realize that complaining about being a Mom is like complaining about winning the lottery, but balancing it all can definitely be a challenge some days. Between work, the house, family obligations, and all the demands of life I’m always questioning if I’m dedicating enough time and energy to being an awesome Mom. I think I do okay, but some ALL days I wish I had more.
Then I stumbled upon a little blast from the past in Makenzie’s bookshelf that gave me an idea of how to deal with this. Hello One Minute Bedtime Stories by Sherry Lewis. This book was mine as a kid, hence the copyright of 1982, and it had an insightful story that I thought was worth sharing.
Snuggle up with a blankie, and grab a bottle and a binky… it’s bedtime story time on the blog.
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The Big Family in the Little House
Once there was a poor man who had many troubles. So he went to a wise man in the town and begged for help. “My wife, my father, my six children, and I all live crowded together in a tiny little house. We trip and bump into each other all day, have little room to sleep, and no privacy. What shall we do?” The wise man considered a moment and then said, “How many animals do you have in your barn?” “A cow, a goat, a pig and some chickens,” the man answered. “Good. Go home and take all of the animals into the house with you,” the wise man said. The poor man was surprised, but he did as he was told. And the following day he was back.
“What a terrible thing you had me do,” he said. “The animals are into everything. They have turned the house into a dirty barn. They have eaten our food and we have had to sleep standing up.”
The wise man thought again and said, “Now go home and take the animals out of the house.” The poor man hurried home and did so. The next day he was back smiling. “With the animals out of the house, it seems quiet and peaceful now,” he said. “And with no animals around it is so clean. And my wife and children, my father, and I have much more room in which to eat and sleep. Thank You for helping us. I’d give anything to be as clever as you are.”
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There you have it. I’m not exactly the wisest man in this town, but when life seems busy, think about adding more instead of stressing over what’s already there.
Volunteer for a few more committees, work longer, commit to more obligations. When your bank account seems scarce, add in a few more bills. When your house seems dirty, bring in some barn animals (Mommy McBlog can not be held liable due to damage of floors brought about by cows, goats, pigs and chickens). And when you feel like you can’t take any more, take more. I promise you won’t break. And just when you think you really truly will break, take a deep breath and go back to the life you once knew.
Your once crazy chaotic mess might suddenly seem a little calmer, a little more manageable and a lot more enjoyable. And if you’re lucky, those around you will appreciate the calmer, more manageable, more enjoyable you!
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A cow, a goat, a pig and some chickens have already liked Mommy McBlog on Facebook.
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