Better to be busy than bored.

Better to be busy than bored. Or at least thats what I keep telling myself!

On top of our normal chaos, I have been incredibly blessed with several business opportunities recently, of which I am incredibly grateful for. I not only get to stay at home with my daughter, I am able to pursue my career and contribute to the family financially. I have confidence that I am following God’s plan, as when I had our daughter, we made a few big decisions to ensure our priorities were in the correct order according to what God put on our hearts.

I am still figuring out how to balance my time without running myself into the ground, i’ll admit, some days I pull this off better than others. My hubby works long hard hours that change each week, so is difficult to count on him for any sort of routine. I love periodically checking out other peoples (specifically other SAHWM) tips and tricks and what helps keep them on track during the day.

In my “limited” experience in this position, I’ve found that setting boundaries, scheduling work, mom, play, house, project, etc time is a huge help, otherwise at any moment of the day you feel pulled in EVERY direction all at once – which basically means you get nothing accomplished and are unable to give ANY area of your life the best of you. It’s a great way to burn out quickly! I am finding that when I “compartmentalize” my day in a sense, I am able to fully focus on what’s at hand and not feel guilty or pressured about the 2,922,938 other things going on (most of the time). Also, asking for help if you need it! It doesn’t matter if you have 1 kid or 8, if you need help or a break, ask for it. I’ve been blessed with so many people willing to help, and I find things go a lot smoother and quicker when you have reinforcements. My littlest siblings do a great job entertaining G while I work…  and she LOVES them! (That’s a big deal for her because she can be pretty choosy!) A cool side note – it’s given us a chance to connect and develop a fun relationship since I am out of the house now, plus it gives them the “little sibling” experience they never had being #’s 7 and 8 in the family.

Each night I have to reevaluate my priorities for the next day, what moves up the list, and what moves down. Some days I have to consciously take a deep breath and realize that all 13 of my to dos, can’t all be #1 on the priority list… the timeline for some things will have to be extended (SO against my personality) and that is okay. Hence my table full of half started craft projects, some of which are taking months to complete, the basement organization endeavor taking weeks to finish, etc… I’ve realized a lot goes on in a day and I need to cut myself a break; not cram so much into one day that I miss out on the simple blessings God has given us.

As a mom of a 10 month old, I know how valuable a schedule is to your baby. G really is a trooper, but there is an immense difference in how the days/nights go when I am able to give her the routine she knows. On the days we are home, we water the garden and read books before her morning nap, and go on backyard adventure walks with the dog before her afternoon nap. She is already GREAT at communicating her delight in these things! But at the end of the day I would rather be home for sleepy time than fight with an overtired baby…. everyone has many more smiles 🙂

While still on the quest to find the perfect schedule (totally laughing at myself right now knowing that is as likely as a flying pig), there are few certain areas that are suffering… mainly blogging, working out, and oh, sleeping. I know those last two go hand in hand with my productivity and energy. I am determined to get those back on track. The hubs works nights so I find myself staying up late to either work or spend time with him, and then up eeeaaarly to have coffee with the munchkin. It’s all a work in progress, and once I feel like I am getting close to the “perfect” schedule, something will change! That’s okay 🙂 I may be exhausted but at least my heart is full!

xox – J