My kids are far enough apart that I can enjoy different stages in their lives.
I have a husband who helps a lot.
We have a nanny which means that a whole lot of weight is lifted off of our shoulders.
And I work full time.
Usually it is all fine.
Usually I balance getting up to go to the gym, coming home and getting myself fed and dressed and the kids up, chatting with the nanny, commuting to work, working all day, taking the train home, doing dinner, getting the kids to bed and spending half an hour or so watching tv.
I usually manage it with a smile on my face.
Sometimes I take a night off to go for drinks with friends or coffee with my sister. I spend time with friends and I do things for myself like get my hair done.
But this weekend I hit a wall.
My kids, who I love dearly, were driving me insane. My husband couldn't do anything right.
I'm stressing about Christmas. I'm stressing about work. I'm stressing about money. I'm stressing about an upcoming Disney trip. I'm stressing about what has to be done to get to Christmas. I'm stressed because I haven't given any thought to Christmas cards. I used to mail my Christmas cards, pictures and letter on November 1. Seriously. I don't even think I'm doing a Christmas letter this year. Will anyone care? Does that mean I need to do extra-long notes on my cards because I don't want to do that either.
I'm stressed because although we got awesome pictures of the 4 cousins this year, I don't have any pictures with Matt and Chloe and I should really do that.
And I've totally hit a wall. TOTALLY.
I'm at that point where I'm so busy being stressed that I'm not getting anything done. I assign myself so many tasks that I don't know where to start. And so I'm getting nowhere. Except I'm fighting with my family, and I may as well not even bother to go to the gym because I'm totally gaining weight. Really, I gained 2 lbs last week. I know it's cause I'm eating crappy. Don't get me started on my trainer who quit on me cuz my heart isn't in it. And he says I haven't made the connection to eating right.
Seriously.
It's like he thinks he's Jillian from Biggest Loser.
I have no balance with this crazy life I'm living. Right now anyway.
When I have balance I'm happy.
I feel like all the decisions we have made are the right ones.
I love my family more than life itself. But seriously.
And, I know this isn't what Christmas is about.
I know I should be watching the Santa Claus parade with my kids and sipping hot chocolate and trusting that everything will work out.
But, I'm not there yet.
And, I don't really know how to get there.
3 comments:
Think about it: do you read every Christmas letter you receive meticulously? Do you think to yourself, Darn, I wish so-and-so had included a seven page missive about all their vet visits? Leave the letter out.
As for the rest, Canada Post is a lot more efficient than when we were kids... your cards can wait.
Everything else? Amazon.ca now sells more than books. Shop online at work.
There. Now go home and be nice to your husband for a change. ;)
Balance is hard. Sci-Fi Dad is right, but it's hard for us mommies to give up our dreams of perfection. Let's make a pact to aim for 'good enough' instead....
Sometimes life sneaks up on us and bites us in the rear. Get yourself a bandaid and let the healing begin.
I rarely do a Christmas letter because I feel like I say all the wrong things and bore my readers. However, two people I know do an amazing Christmas letter every year. A few years ago one of them skipped on the letter and I was sad. I missed that part of the tradition. Anyway, I mentioned something and the following year she did a letter short enough to fit on a post card and I was pleased. It was nice to hear what had happened in the past 12 months.
It doesn't have to be elaborate. Just do the simple things. You'll be glad you got something done and your friends and family will be glad to hear from you.
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