(Disclaimer: I know that I am blessed to be going on a vacation soon, away from my family, work, etc. I am not looking for sympathy or 'You're going on vacation....suck it up". I am just pondering the life of a working mom)
Now that that is out of the way... I have been thinking this weekend about how busy life as a full-time working mom really is and what would it be like to truly have a day off!
A friend of mine is a nurse who is doing clinical work as practicum for her Nurse Practitioner. She was saying that one of the common discussions she'd had with women over the past while was how overwhelmed they are with their lives. Sometimes I can totally relate.
I get up about an hour before my family so that I can get ready and have a bit of time to myself before getting everyone up and going for the day. We all leave for school and work at the same time. I am at work all day. Then it's running kids to work or sports, trying to pick up groceries or run other errands, get home, create an amazing meal with all the food groups (ha ha), drive kids more places, do laundry, tidy the house, do the household admin stuff, like bills, book appointments, etc., make sure the kids have their homework done, fold one last load of laundry and fall into bed! The weekend comes. Hooray! 2 days off work. Time to sleep in, relax over a leisurely breakfast, then curl up on the couch, read a book, or go for a walk along the beach, or come spring, work in my garden. haha, yah, right! Nope, there's more laundry, cleaning the house, more groceries to buy, kids to drive hither and yon, more cooking. Oh yah, also trying to get the energy to cook a great meal and host some people from the church. Then Sunday, go to church, hope for a bit of downtime in the afternoon, when the kids aren't requesting a ride somewhere....and then the week starts again. Maybe I got a chapter or 2 of my book read on the weekend if I'm lucky. The other thing I notice is that every time I turn around or open a drawer, closet , or whatever, there is another cleaning project that rears its ugly head and cries for my attention. I wish I didn't notice everything so much or that I could let it go more often and ignore it. Somedays I can, somedays it drives me crazy and I have to clean it up/deal with it.
Sigh...sorry, it must sound like I am complaining. My family is amazing at helping around the house. They all do their chores without complaining and are very helpful. It just seems like sometimes there is no downtime in between work and family and church. I guess that's why I like when I actually have a few tv shows that I can get into, to help me 'turn off' all my other responsibilities.
But to have a whole day at home all alone without doing any housework....that would be heaven.
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Maybe I should follow this: heehee
*******************
The following is from a 1950's home economics textbook intended for high school girls, teaching them how to prepare for married life:
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1. Have dinner ready: Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal - on time. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him, and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospects of a good meal are part of the warm welcome needed.
2. Prepare yourself: Take 15 minutes to rest so you will be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your makeup, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people. Be a little gay and a little more interesting. His boring day may need a lift.
3. Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives, gathering up school books, toys, paper, etc. Then run a dust cloth over the tables. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift, too.
4. Prepare the children: Take a few minutes to wash the children's hands and faces if they are small, comb their hair, and if necessary, change their clothes. They are little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part.
5. Minimize the noise: At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of washer, dryer, dishwasher or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet. Be happy to see him. Greet him with a warm smile and be glad to see him.
6. Some Don'ts: Don't greet him with problems or complaints. Don't complain if he's late for dinner. Count this as minor compared with what he might have gone through that day.
7. Make him comfortable: Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or suggest he lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him. Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soft, soothing and pleasant voice. Allow him to relax and unwind.
8. Listen to him: You may have a dozen things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first.
9. Make the evening his: Never complain if he does not take you out to dinner or to other places of entertainment; instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure, his need to be home and relax.
10. The goal: Try to make your home a place of peace and order where your husband can relax.
Now that that is out of the way... I have been thinking this weekend about how busy life as a full-time working mom really is and what would it be like to truly have a day off!
A friend of mine is a nurse who is doing clinical work as practicum for her Nurse Practitioner. She was saying that one of the common discussions she'd had with women over the past while was how overwhelmed they are with their lives. Sometimes I can totally relate.
I get up about an hour before my family so that I can get ready and have a bit of time to myself before getting everyone up and going for the day. We all leave for school and work at the same time. I am at work all day. Then it's running kids to work or sports, trying to pick up groceries or run other errands, get home, create an amazing meal with all the food groups (ha ha), drive kids more places, do laundry, tidy the house, do the household admin stuff, like bills, book appointments, etc., make sure the kids have their homework done, fold one last load of laundry and fall into bed! The weekend comes. Hooray! 2 days off work. Time to sleep in, relax over a leisurely breakfast, then curl up on the couch, read a book, or go for a walk along the beach, or come spring, work in my garden. haha, yah, right! Nope, there's more laundry, cleaning the house, more groceries to buy, kids to drive hither and yon, more cooking. Oh yah, also trying to get the energy to cook a great meal and host some people from the church. Then Sunday, go to church, hope for a bit of downtime in the afternoon, when the kids aren't requesting a ride somewhere....and then the week starts again. Maybe I got a chapter or 2 of my book read on the weekend if I'm lucky. The other thing I notice is that every time I turn around or open a drawer, closet , or whatever, there is another cleaning project that rears its ugly head and cries for my attention. I wish I didn't notice everything so much or that I could let it go more often and ignore it. Somedays I can, somedays it drives me crazy and I have to clean it up/deal with it.
Sigh...sorry, it must sound like I am complaining. My family is amazing at helping around the house. They all do their chores without complaining and are very helpful. It just seems like sometimes there is no downtime in between work and family and church. I guess that's why I like when I actually have a few tv shows that I can get into, to help me 'turn off' all my other responsibilities.
But to have a whole day at home all alone without doing any housework....that would be heaven.
--------------------------------------------------------
Maybe I should follow this: heehee
*******************
The following is from a 1950's home economics textbook intended for high school girls, teaching them how to prepare for married life:
--------------------------------------------------------
1. Have dinner ready: Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal - on time. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him, and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospects of a good meal are part of the warm welcome needed.
2. Prepare yourself: Take 15 minutes to rest so you will be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your makeup, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people. Be a little gay and a little more interesting. His boring day may need a lift.
3. Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives, gathering up school books, toys, paper, etc. Then run a dust cloth over the tables. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift, too.
4. Prepare the children: Take a few minutes to wash the children's hands and faces if they are small, comb their hair, and if necessary, change their clothes. They are little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part.
5. Minimize the noise: At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of washer, dryer, dishwasher or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet. Be happy to see him. Greet him with a warm smile and be glad to see him.
6. Some Don'ts: Don't greet him with problems or complaints. Don't complain if he's late for dinner. Count this as minor compared with what he might have gone through that day.
7. Make him comfortable: Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or suggest he lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him. Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soft, soothing and pleasant voice. Allow him to relax and unwind.
8. Listen to him: You may have a dozen things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first.
9. Make the evening his: Never complain if he does not take you out to dinner or to other places of entertainment; instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure, his need to be home and relax.
10. The goal: Try to make your home a place of peace and order where your husband can relax.
Comments
That 50's thing made me smile.
WHEW! You just described my paradise, woman!!!
**hugs**
I understand why so many women I know feel so overwhelmed. I am overwhelmed and it's just Rob and me... we don't even have kids!
I'm praying your vacation time is exactly what you need.
I have to add this... one of my favorite memories as a kid was snow days home from school. My mom would say "Forget the house work - pull out the games!" and we played all day long. The house was never horrible but it's still cluttered to this day - because to her - people are more important than a clean house. I have carried that into my life.....
Still want me to send comments? =)