We missed the school bus today.
We missed it because my 8 year old refused to put her shoes on without my help. Not just help tying them, which she can do just fine. But help actually putting her feet inside of her shoes.
This should tell you two things about me: 1) that my kids are accustomed to having me do just about everything for them – things that they should be willing and able to do independently at ages 5 and 8. And 2) that I cut things so closely, especially in the mornings, that the slightest deviation throws us all into chaos. Foiled again by two of my biggest shortcomings.
So I had a meltdown. The really ugly kind that makes you cringe with shame about 3 seconds after it’s over. You know the kind I’m talking about, right? Or maybe you don’t. That’s what I’m wondering this morning. I mean, I know I’m not alone. I’m not the only mom with a messy house or uncooperative kids. I certainly can’t be the only mom/runner/blogger struggling to do it all.
But.
What about you moms out there who are able to train for triathlons, cook dinner every night, manage successful blogs…many of you while working full-time outside of the house? And then there’s me…a full-time stay at home mom who misses the school bus, has muddy footprints on her kitchen floor, screws up blog deadlines, and is almost out of clean underwear?
Moms who have it together – What is your secret ingredient, and where can I get some?
I know that I’m comparing my insides with other people’s outsides. And I know that I’m not being patient with myself. But, man, I sure wish I could press the rewind button today.
Or a housekeeper. If I could wish for anything right now, it would have to be a housekeeper.
kimberlycushman says
I could not agree more about the housekeeper! Sign me up! 🙂
sharon says
I know, right? My financial goal for this blog is to make enough money to have someone come clean my house once a month. 🙂
Debbie L. says
I dont know of any Mom’s that have it all together – they just do not admit fault. I think that is the only difference – I admit and laugh at my screwups they say nothing! LOL
sharon says
Laughing at your screw-ups makes you my kind of friend. 🙂
notmuchofarunner says
I’m not a ‘Mom’ …but I am a dad who stays at home and I could have written this.
(Just to be clear, that means, ‘it is like it is me in this scenario’…not “pffft, I could have written that!” I couldn’t have written that. If I had tried it would have been incoherent waffle. I’m good at incoherent waffle. Can you tell?)
sharon says
Woohoo, a dad who reads my blog who’s not my actual dad! 🙂 (I’m not exaggerating. My husband doesn’t even read it.) I have a real admiration for stay at home dads. In some ways, you face even more obstacles than stay at home moms do, don’t you think? Also, I just think that dads who willingly spend that much time with their kids are pretty awesome, meltdowns included.
Marie Oliveira says
You are most definitely not alone. I homeschooled my son for a few months (long story) and I got so many comments of praise for being able to manage everything. It actually really annoyed me because I felt like they were taking away my one justification for feeling so horrible… I wasn’t managing everything well at all! I had a horrible and inexcusable mommy meltdown and then I put my son back in public school the next week. It’s a journey and we’re all doing the best we can 🙂
sharon says
I so appreciate your honesty. We’re all doing the best we can, but I don’t always feel that people see me that way. Then again, I’m my own worst critic. It’s so nice getting to know you! xo
Neatly- Packaged says
Aww sharon! This post really tugged at my heart! I bet you are a GREAT MOM!!! It means the world to your little ones that you are there for them and years from now, they will look back and be so thankful that you were there. My mom was never there so I know what it feels like to wish you had someone there to help you put your shoes on. You are doing great! Keep your head up 🙂 I am not a mother yet but I am a child who knows how it feels to want a mom who helps me with everything 🙂
http://neatly-packaged.blogspot.com/
sharon says
Thank you. That means more than you know, especially after the kind of week I had. <3
Glo. says
You are way ahead of the game. You said you were *almost* out of clean underwear, not ‘completely’. Give yourself and that 8yr old a hug and start all over again tomorrow!
sharon says
Ha! Thanks for the smile. I’ve still got a couple pairs of socks left too. 🙂
Brianne says
I’m not a mom (of a human), but I do know what it’s like to be running late all the time & to have small things like trouble with a contact lens make you 20 minutes late instead of 15. :-/
Maybe since Mom is such a stickler for being on time, our lateness is an act of rebellion of some sort?
I agree with the posts above that moms in general who act like they have it all together, are full of crap. I think it’s just a matter of them being better at hiding the mess and muddy footprints. And no one cooks dinner EVERY night. I don’t care what they say.
Just remember, you can always try again tomorrow.
*hugs*
sharon says
Lateness is definitely a genetic thing in our family. 🙂 xo
Michele C. says
Any mom who allegedly has it all together is a big fat liar, and some part of their life is falling apart. NO ONE is perfect. I am with you – but don’t beat yourself up. I am learning to not compare myself to other moms. I do what I can do, with what I have. Some days work out well, many days end up rushed and insane. ((hugs))
sharon says
I’m my own worst critic. 🙁
Kris says
I’d wish for a nanny 🙂 You are doing a wonderful job. Go sweat out your frustration and forget about this morning!
sharon says
I was so thrown by the whole morning mess that I didn’t even make it to the gym. Ah, well. I’ll try again tomorrow.