Making Time

We've all heard it. We've all said it. There is just never enough hours in the day. I give major props to the working Moms out there. Working a job, going to school, housework, kids activities, me time, the list could go on. I don't understand how you get it all in.

Maybe my lack of time management stems from a personality issue. I honestly don't like being rushed. I loathe changes to our schedule. I have to plan things in advance. I hate when plans go awry. Maybe if I just relaxed more it wouldn't seem so hectic?

I like the girls & us to have a routine. We may stray slightly from time to time but mostly we DON'T. I get so worked up the days we miss Gala's nap time or aren't close to home to get good naps in. I freak when we miss bedtime by a half hour. I refuse to have a phone upstairs. I don't need calls after 8pm interfering with our bedtime. Our house gets shut down by 8pm EVERY night except Thursdays.

I'd love to make playdates. Not just for the girls, but for myself as well. I'm such a creature of habit that I don't see where I can work it in. Honestly, I think maybe I just like it that way. When I was in the workforce, I managed my time well. Now that I am a stay at home Mom, I find that routines fit my girls better. If I really think about it, for me, it's not a time management issue at all but a routine issue. 

Tell me your thoughts. Are strict routines good, bad or neither?

I won't, but I do.....

Couple quick announcements first.......In case you missed it, there is a contest going....click here for details. Also, my darling Gala was chosen by Parents Magazine for a photo contest. If you could, please take a moment and VOTE HERE. You can vote everyday. There's no registration, just click, type, click....THANKS!! 

There are things in life you don't understand until you become a parent. You think you know. You don't. As a naive childfree person, I often criticized parents. Oh how many times I commented, "My kid will NEVER do that!" I thought I'd issue a spanking & be firm. That's all I had to do, right? I'm here to tell you it's not & they do everything I said they wouldn't. Here's just a short list:

My kid will never.......

Drink milk all day & eat nothing.

Eat fast food.

Drink soda.

Drink coffee.

Throw a tantrum in front of others.

Watch TV all day.

Watch SpongeBob.

Run around naked.

Make a mess & not pick it up.

Jump on the furniture or bed.

I'll never......

Let my kid say "Mom" more than once without replying.

Dress frumpy so they look cute OR leave the house looking that way.

Yell when I lose my patience.....I think I actually thought I'd never lose my patience.

Let them sleep w/me.

Have to count to ten because I might explode.

Wean my child from breastfeeding prematurely.


I'm sure my lists could go on. The point is, I said I'd never but it doesn't make me a bad parent because I do. It makes me more sane. If you're a parent you'll understand that.