For years, I’ve heard mom’s refer to themselves as a shuttle service, taxi cab, chauffer… but I have to admit, I never really felt that way before. And what’s more, I/we committed early on not to live life that way—kids being part of a million different activities/clubs/sports, and just shuffling various family members from one place to another. There’s no need to crowd our lives like that, I said. And I still stand by that. Except here’s the crazy thing… it totally sneaks up on you. After a nice and laid back summer, we told our kids that they could each choose one thing to be a part of. Abby chose piano lessons, and Carson chose karate. So we sign everyone up. Then I realize, that will actually entail three nights of the week (TWH), not just two. Oh well. Then last week, we added after school tutoring to Tuesdays and Thursdays for Abby, and I’m feeling pretty outa’ whack.I feel bad because the second we get home, I become a drill sergeant. “Go do your homework. Have you done your reading time? Where is your reading log? Okay, now clean your room. Stop playing right now, we’re in a hurry! You’re not done with your homework? You said you were done! We’ve got to go in five minutes. Where are your shoes? Just do your reading in the car and let’s go!” (Did you hear me escalating with each question?)
Deep breaths.
In a moment of honesty, I know I can’t really get on to them much for not being “on top of it”. I’m a bit of a distracted mess right now, myself. I feel like I can’t focus and do any one thing well (nevermind the two, three, four things that I have on my plate). And I don’t know how to navigate this phase, except to say:
- God, help us. And I mean that not as an expression, but a prayer.
- It is just a phase. Life has it’s busy seasons and it’s slow seasons. In December, we’ll take a break from karate, and tutoring will also be over. And we’ll re-evaluate it all when spring rolls around.
- Kids, go play for a while. When we get home, just go be kids. Homework can wait a while, and the house can just be messy--go have fun.
I hear you on the limiting of extra activities. Pretty much outside of church stuff and Awana, our kids don't do anything extra. This gives them much down time after school & homework each day. They want to do more (like scouts and clubs) and I have just had to say no. With a new baby on the way, there is NO way we can add more to our lives. I worry that I'm shortchanging them, but I trust that these are the right choices for now. Happy moms = happy kids, right? Hang in there!
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