Posts Tagged overwhelmed

Wednesday, December14, 2011

…I’m completely overwhelmed!

Poor donkey. I totally feel his pain. Talk about being overwhelmed and overworked.

Yesterday, I sat down to blog and I got up to tend to a sick kid. Later, I sat down to attempt to blog – again, and got up to help kids with homework, find basketball shoes for practice, and make dinner. Last night, I started to blog again – AGAIN – but got up to go to Wal-Mart for a basket to make a gift for my husband’s Christmas party that was today. Whew. (Yes, I would have scolded my child for the last minute gift request if it had been him that asked. This, I will shamefully hold over my man’s head as a you-owe-me-huge debt.)

This morning I had to cancel two appointments to put out other fires and chase some rabbits. Maybe it is because it is December. Maybe it is because I am traveling quite a bit this month. Or maybe it is because my time management is lacking something to be desired. But regardless the cause, I am feeling overwhelmed and way behind in my responsibilities.

And I feel guilty. I have committed to blogging everyday, because I am so appreciative that it is being read. And because it makes me feel connected, like someone can relate to what I am feeling on any particular day. But I also realize, I am going to have to lay some things down on occasion. Maybe one of those is simply blogging when I can for the rest of December.

In one of my messages for mom’s, Balance is a 4-Letter Word, I make the statement “No” is a complete sentence. You can throw in a “thank you” if it makes you feel better, but we are allowed to say ”no” at times. It is not a forbidden word. We are not only allowed to say “no” when we need to, we should say it. Practice. Say it with me. “No.” Good job. One more time. “Nooooo.” Doesn’t that feel good to say?

My problem is I forget to use that part of my vocabulary, as well. I am still cramming in shopping for family for presents. I said, “yes” instead of the other word with my children’s school parties, and now am committed to contributing to three children’s parties this week. We have a work Christmas party to attend, and I am packing to leave town for several days. Never mind I have children asking if they have any clean jeans anywhere.

So if you happen to stop by my blog and not see anything new, don’t give up on me. Just know that I am running around like my hair is on fire, loading astronauts and saving the world like you are. I know I will get back on track in January, and will just figure it all out until then. Thanks for letting me vent. I do feel better. And I even have 10 minutes to spare before picking up the children from school.

How is your December? Are you overwhelmed too?

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

I loved the Brady Bunch as a kid.  I still enjoy it, and actually bought my kids a couple of seasons for them to meet the Brady’s. I grew tired of there not being anything worthwhile on television for children. But that is another blog for another day.

I am fully aware I am preaching to the choir when I say this to other moms, but raising children takes so much time! And four children…well, it is a lot. I really – and obviously, naively – believed that when all four of my children were in school every day, I would have so much time to get things done. That the laundry would not be insurmountable, my house would be moderately less dusty, and I could actually do some things I wanted to do.

The hours fly by each day as I run between two schools, sporting practices or games, volunteer in three different classrooms, and chauffeur kids to doctor or dentist appointments. This doesn’t even include the grocery store, cleaners and odd errands such as the DMV, bank or my own appointments. And goodness knows I am NOT giving up my weekly Bible study. That is my scoop of sanity each week.

One day when watching the Brady Bunch, one of my boys noticed Carol’s unending patience and cheerfulness. He commented, “Their mom is always in a good mood. How come she is always happy?” My answer, “Because she has Alice.” I would be eternally giddy every waking minute if I had my very own Alice.

I wonder if I can get Alice out of retirement? I need her. I love her.

Then he asked, “What does the mom do all the time if that lady does all the work?” Exactly, my little friend! Exactly! Carol Brady was never overwhelmed with too much to do and too little time. Oh, to be Carol.

The truth is I know every mother goes through times of being overwhelmed and feels like being buried alive under laundry may not be such a bad thing. But we have to remember it is only for a season. And like the song says, there will come a day when we miss this time in our lives.

Take a deep breath, don’t worry about losing the fight with your kitchen and dirty dishes, and realize you are doing your very best. You know as well as I do, if you leave it for one evening to just relax with your family, there will be no fairy sweep in and do it before you can. It will still be there waiting for you. But when you do get back to tackling your too-long of a list, you may feel a little refreshed.

And don’t ever feel like all you do is going unnoticed. Your Heavenly Father is smiling down at you for the love and devotion you are showing to the ones He entrusted to you. There is a divine pat on your back. Feel it.

Question: What do you do when you feel overwhelmed?