Hang in there, Mama.
Well, I’m wondering if your days look anything like mine. Today, I worked through about five loads of laundry, then had the boys come in and put away their clothes. Now, when I called them in to get their shirts to put in their shirt drawer, I promise that the shirts are neatly folded on my bed in nice piles. I really do not hand them a big wad of shirts and say, “Please go stuff these in your drawer as quickly as possible. If you can’t get them all to fit, just leave the drawer hanging open with the wad of shirts sticking out.” So how is it then, that when I go into their rooms with the shirt that fell out of their pile on the way to their dresser that I find a wad sticking out, when I know that I just folded those very shirts mere seconds ago? It happens every time.
In between loads of laundry, I promise that I have also fed the children. So why is it that right after lunch (when I am folding another load of clothes) that my five year old comes in to say, “Mama, I’m hungry.” Of course the seven year old hears him, perks up, and says, “Hmm, me too.”
Do you ever feel like you can’t win? Like you can never get ahead? Like no matter how hard you work and how much you do, it’s never enough to stay on top of everything?
I try. I really do. So why is it that I have more dirty plates beside the sink after I wash the dishes than when I started? Doesn’t even sound like it’s scientifically possible (or would that be mathematically?).
And let’s not even begin to talk about the bathroom. You remember don’t you, that I have four boys? I might as well just go back to the kitchen to work on those dishes and pretend I don’t have a bathroom to clean. Doesn’t seem to matter anyway- if you know what I mean. And don’t tell me about the “put cheerios in the toilet to give ‘em something to aim at. Wouldn’t work, and I don’t need soggy cheerios stuck to the bottom of the toilet seat.
Well, maybe your day doesn’t look much like mine. Or maybe you’re just so tired from trying to keep up that you don’t even remember what your day looked like today. (Huh? I’m sorry, were you talking to me?)
All I know is that even though I can’t seem to get everything done that I would like to – and the spiders really like my house because they can build a web and settle in for a while before my broom has time to find it’s way to the corner to knock it out – I’m happy. God is good and I’m really happy. I have four beautiful children and a wonderful husband to take care of.
So, hang in there, Mama. We’ll keep working on training the kids to take the extra 30 seconds to put their laundry away neatly. We’ll find a snack for the 14th time today if they’re hungry. Someday, we’ll even get an uninterrupted night of sleep. (What might that be like?)
In the meantime, we’ll just remember that mamas all over the world are standing at the sink wondering if there really is an end to the dirty dishes. We’ll remember that wads of clean clothes are stuffed in drawers all over the world as mamas sigh and mumble to themselves that they might as well not even go to the trouble of folding them at all. And we’ll remember that God is good to have given us the privilege of being a mama. And then we’ll smile and grab the toilet brush and go clean, again.
Char says
I really needed this one today! You made me laugh and you encouraged me to keep on, keepin’ on. I’m off to send this link to all the Mamas I know who need to read this too! :-)
Oh, and the picture – THANK you for that. It was just as encouraging to see that picture as it was to read your words.
Carrie says
Great article, very encouraging too! Makes me think of Creating a Charmed Life by Victoria Moran – which I should really re-read. That book and your super article are just a reminder (when I really need one) that the messes, chores, and to-do lists are all evidence of a very blessed life. Thanks Char for linking me up!
Kari says
I’d comment and say, “I hope I can always pull this article up mentally when needed” but I’m too busy figuring out why my baby is crying so much today and trying to get “everything” done before my family leave is up and I go back to work. Here’s to all the mamas (including yours Laura who would be so proud of your work and ministry with this site). And here’s to practicing the discipline of thanksgiving for the bounty that creates the dishes, the laundry, etc.
Tana says
Love it.. Soggy cheerios ugh… I’m goining to clean my toilet now and just appreciate that there are no cheerios in there!
Mette says
Hello, I just found your blog and just wanted to say that I’m really amused and encouraged by your writings. I love it when people can look at parenting and family life with a pinch of humour – and you certainly know how to do that :)
This post is just awesome – I am one of those mamas standing at her sink and I can so realte to all you are saying and it is so true. best wishes from Mette ni Denmark. oh and ps: I use a piece of folded toilet paper for little guy to aim at – has the advantage of just being flushed out with the rest *lol*!
Meg says
So I just read thru this post, and am in tears from laughing so hard…
Its been one of those days…
Thank you for your encouraging and upbeat postings – nice to know I’m not alone in the “Bathroom? What bathroom?” corner. :) {and I only have 2 boys!}