A Balancing Act

I cannot dwell on the fact that I average 2 posts a year. I must forget my failed attempts at blogging and jump right in ....

This morning I set small goals for myself and completed them. The goals consisted of making the girls lunches, getting through the morning without yelling, and offering each of my three children 5 physical signs of affection... These goals may be simple for the average pinterest supermom, but for me, I knew this would be a challenge.

I made their lunches with only a few hurdles. One being the fact that we only had enough loaded baked potato pringles for one lunch, and I had two lunches to prepare. I went to the girls expecting a fight about who was to have pringles that day, but instead, Ava politely said, "Claire, you can have them." ... I was thrilled about this small act of cooperation and selflessness. I hugged Ava and told her good job. My second hurdle was Miles. As I was spreading mayo and cutting up strawberries, he was playing in the dogs water/food bowl and eating old macaroni noodles that he found under our kitchen cabinets. Distraction doesn't work for this kids. He is nothing if he isn't persistent. Ava and Claire came to the rescue to watch him while I finished the lunches. One goal complete.

The hugging came easy once I made a conscious effort to do more of this. They each got a hug and a kiss to say good morning. I hugged them both when they got out of the car to go to school. I rubbed Ava's shoulders as she did her hair. Claire got a massage as she brushed her teeth. I was surprised at how many opportunities there were throughout the morning to offer my children affection. This will be a goal everyday from now on. Miles gets more than 5 physical signs of affection because of his age. I, of course, pick him up and change his diaper, snuggle, cuddle, and kiss him multiple times throughout the day. It's harder with the girls and I will make more of an effort. I hope I'm a better hugger than blogger.


No yelling. All I can say is Rome wasn't built in a day. I did less yelling, but no yelling was a goal I did not meet this morning. I was surprised at how many opportunities there were throughout the morning to yell at my children. The horrific state of their closet, the lipstick the 5 year old slathered on before school, the oldest child's refusal to dress in clothes that are weather appropriate. The boy torturing the dog and eating old macaroni. The bathroom sink with blue toothpaste smeared from one side to the other. The clothes left on the bathroom floor after Ava's shower. The cereal bowl left in her room after her breakfast. The fact that she ate breakfast in her room instead of at the kitchen table.....


A healthy balance is what life is all about.

I will hug more, blog more, yell less, and make more lunches.

3 kids = chaos

Three kids is really hard. Someone always needs your time and attention... ALWAYS. As I write this I can hear Miles stirring from his crib and Claire has interrupted me 4 times in that last 2 sentences. There seems to be no time left for me or my relationship with my husband. I don't feel like I can balance it all. The demands of breastfeeding, playing with and disciplining a 9 and 4 year old. Dinner making. House cleaning. Trips to the doc and dentist. Puzzle putting together. At the end of the day, some days, I just want to cry. Then I feel guilty for not being blissfully happy 100% of the time.

Where did all this pressure come from? It feels like I'm being pulled in a thousand different directions and all I want to do is get some rest. Sleep all day. Go 5 hours without someone needing something from me. I want to be selfish. Yes yes I know... I had 3 kids. What did I expect?

My point is ... my children and my life are wonderful but I still feel the way I described above. Honesty people! Parenting, working, life in general is not a bed of roses. Its hard. Sometimes you want to walk away, straight down 64 all the way to California.

Right now Claire is singing "Rudolph the red nosed reindeer" in her most high pitched singing voice and while it's music to my ears, don't judge me because at times I'd rather be listening to the new Jack White album.