Three Things to do When You STRUGGLE TO JUGGLE

Whether you are a stay at home mom or working mom, odds are that you have things to balance to just make it through a day. Some days balancing is easy, it almost becomes a sport – you can multitask and get just about anything done – even with a smile. Then other days… well, those are the days when you struggle to juggle.

One ball after another comes crashing down – it feels more like the task of tossing eggs in the air and have them land on your face – one after another.

I have to admit that right now I have more good intentions than I have ability. My wishes outweigh my accomplishments. My “to-do” is growing much faster than my “all done”. I start the day feeling tired, and surprisingly enough, end the day much the same – or worse. I am tired of being tired – thank you, Narcolepsy. I am tired of feeling guilty – thank you, motherhood and work. Something tells me that I am just plain TIRED.

Driving home from work today (read: rushing at the speed of light to see my babies), I thought of three things that would help someone feeling the struggle to juggle.

• Be UNapologetic!
  I recently talked to another working mom about balancing work and kids. We threw each other a quick pity party before I reminded her to be UNapologetic when she makes choices. We are not just juggling family, kids, and work – but also friends, hobbies and maybe even school.
  • When you make the decision to leave work to attend your child’s school play, be unapologetic because sitting in the audience will mean more to your child than you sitting at your desk.
  • When you have to stay up late to work on a paper or work project, be unapologetic – because your success and education will help provide for your children.
  • Whatever the situation, whatever your choice – OWN IT! People will respect your decision much faster when they see that you are confident in your choice – so be nice and polite, but unapologetic.

[bctt tweet=”People will respect your decision much faster when they see that you are confident in your choice, be unapologetic. #Motherhood”]

• Learn to say “No”!
  Repeat after me: “No”! See, that was easy, wasn’t it?! You are probably really good at telling your kids, dog and spouse “NO!”… but when it comes to work, friends and extended family, for some reason we feel the need to please and appease.
  • All of a sudden the weekend we had reserved for the kids and spouse is turned into a marathon of brunches and cook outs with relatives and friends. If you had just said “no” with an unapologetic smile you would have had the entire weekend to yourself with your kids!
  • Just last week, a friend of mine (who doesn’t have kids) asked me to dinner on a work night. I now know my energy limitations and my family’s need for my presence, so to politely say “no” was FINALLY second nature and it felt GOOD!

• Learn to say “Yes”!
  When your kids want to you to play video games or read a book – just say “yes”! The dishes and the laundry can truly wait. When your spouse is suggesting a spur of the moment trip to Legoland, just say “yes” – the housework can wait.
  • Trust me, the dust bunnies will always be there. The water stains on the shower door will return right after your next shower any way – but your kids might not always want you near – and there will come a day when they won’t return home either.
  • So remember to say “yes” to the life you have right in front of you today!

Tomorrow when I wake up tired (because that’s a given) and start juggling one, two, then three, four or maybe more tasks, I will remember the sweet sound of “no”! When I come home from work, I will lovingly put away my “to do” lists and unapologetically say “yes” to my family. “Yes” to my happiness!

You should try it – what will you say “YES” to?