Being a Balanced Mom - Is it a myth or is there a way?
I’ve been having a hard time trying to balance my life and all the hats I wear.
How much time do I spend on the floor with the kids? How much time do I spend cleaning the house? How much time do I spend helping my friends and family and ignoring my own issues for a bit? How much time do I dedicate to my husband and our relationship? How much time do I spend on myself and my own hobbies and interests…and showering and wearing something resembling jeans…?
What is normal? What is acceptable? What is my problem? Should we be Jack of all trades?
So I posed the question to my friends and family via social media. And got amazing answers! But they all fit into 3 categories which is how I’ll organize them here.
But first, pin this for future reference…
IT’S FREAKIN’ NORMAL
Chaos is okay! That’s life @danielle anderson & @allyson imam
Join the club @heather floyd
Being human is overwhelming. Day by day is the way @julia hill
Welcome to motherhood @cindy palmer
For me it isn’t ever equal. Some days are more house, some are more kids. Some days I put emotional energy into my husband, some days less @lorren lemmons
Absolutely how it is! Nailed it @ashley shope
Motherhood is so hard @haley morley
MINDSET SHIFT
Live with imbalance and be okay with it. Redefine your expectations and redefine your success @rebeccaj414
There are times and seasons in our lives and sometimes a season is just a day @weholman
Once you have an idea or plan, life throws you a curve ball. Just try to be perfect at trying and you will find success in that @deanna forsell
It’s okay to just be okay at everything and excel occasionally in one area @caitlin jensen
Life happens in chapters. But you choose how long the chapters are and what the focus is @john curtis
I think we just have to be kind to ourselves and remember that we can't be everything for everyone all the time. It's not possible @kristin curtis
Someone told me that when you can't do everything, you do a little of everything. That is a good definition of balance @cari mcclellan
Your husband is your partner in crime! Your challenges bring you closer and just might be your glue! @leeann lyman
I think the biggest thing we all struggle with is giving ourselves grace & recognizing all of the good we are actually accomplishing @paige nash
Two pieces of advice. 1. Moderation in all things. 2. No one is everything @sydnewilk
A balanced life isn't full of perfection. If it was, it wouldnt be balanced. It is allowing room for good days and bad days (or hours, or minutes, or weeks) and recognizing you are enough on all of them @kambriebarney
You can really only do one thing at a time. And, if you are only doing one thing everything else is being neglected. Therefore, can you at any moment ever be in perfect harmony? The answer is no @david a bednar
SOLID PLANS TO PUT INTO PLACE
Fill your love tank to be able to stand rough days @joyfulfamilylife
Check out the minimal meal plan by @livefreemiranda @rebeccaj414
Pick the things that are important to you in the moment. Give yourself grace for what you can’t finish or handle at the moment @heather floyd
Focus on the 4. Family, friends, feelings and fun. Who can I help? Who can I help feel love today? How can I bring joy to myself and others? @julia hill
Every day is a new day that we have to choose what needs our attention the most @ashlee anderson
See if others can help pick up the slack. Or include the kids and husband in serving others so you are still spending time together @candice sanders
Make a double batch of at least one dinner every week to save and freeze for a busy day @candice sanders
Ask your husband, “What is the one thing that would be most helpful for you today? Is it a clean kitchen? A nice meal? The laundry done? Watch a show together?” Then that takes priority @caitlin jensen
Time block your days. Give more time for things you love, like cooking and move the things you hate doing all on one less stressful day. Emotional days are still bad or good and life happens but it gave me a sense of control and peace knowing I was making an effort towards doing a better job @hayley bailey
If I feel burned out, I let myself have a chill day @haley morley
Be flexible enough to change plans when needed (I often have a "plan B" for things). Check out flylady.net for ideas you hadn’t considered @paige nash
For me, I can't schedule more than one thing really per day. If I schedule more than one thing I'm a goner. Pathetic, but true. I know my limits right now...and those are them. (That is what helps me be flexible because when something comes up, if I feel good, I can say yes.) @sara stout
Funcheaporfree.com/blockschedule You just have to budget your time and hope for the best! @kotiloss
When you say no to something that is nice but not necessary, ultimately you are saying yes to something that is essential @david a bednar
I am a Christian woman and many of my friends are too. There were a lot of great tips about asking God for help and advice and relying on Jesus. But I’ll just put this one quote here.
AMAZING advice right?! I’m working on figuring out what works for me and changing my mindset and making my expectations my own, not ones that someone or society has put on me.