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I’m being torn in different directions.
One part of me is saying, You need to savor every moment with your children and loved ones, right now. Life is happening. Now.
The other part of me is saying, That’s fine and dandy, but you need to get this house on the market in less than three weeks. You don’t have *time* to savor anything. No time to waste!
I understand and appreciate both voices — both voices ring true. Life is happening right now, and I {we} should never *wait* to savor it. You just never know how many days you’re going to get. But at the same time, I need to be getting things done. The front door ain’t gonna paint itself! The flower bed ain’t gonna plant itself! Someone has to do it, and that someone is me.
So I’m stuggling to find that middleground. Is there a middleground?
I don’t want to feel guilty for pausing to do a puzzle with my children, and I don’t want to feel like a neglectful mom when my kids are left to play with each other {gasp!} while I paint something.
What do you do when you’re in this situation? How do you manage?
This post has been shared with Chatting at the Sky…mostly, because I’m searching for gifts to unwrap during this busy time.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
don’t beat yourself up - you are working towards a goal. your kids will see that - this is only short term. let them know (which I am sure you have) that right now you have to get projects done. it is not that you love them any less.
I’m living this right now. We’ve had our condo on the market for about 3 weeks now and the stress is unending, but I make time in the middle of the day. I work in the morning to make sure we have the house in tip top shape and in the afternoon I take a walk, go to the park, have a picnic, read a couple stories. They may not think that one of those things are enough, but it will have to do… for now.
You can do it! It is stressful, but your goal will be accomplished and then you will all the more time in the world.
There really is a middle ground-but I know it looks different for all of us! When I find that there’s lots of things pulling me in lots of directions I usually get out my little notebook and make a list-of what I can/need/should do today. Then I give myself a chunk of time to do it-set the timer for half an hour (or whatever) and paint something, or clean something or balance the checkbook. Tell your kids when the timer goes off you’re all theirs, even if you’re not done yet. At least this works for us in our house, and little by little things get done.
Hope you find your balance, day by day!
Middle ground is the hardest. Walking a tightrope, or a fence, between two extremes, both of which exert their own pull. But being in the middle, though it is so hard, is the right thing to do.
We sold our house when I had a newborn with Down syndrome. She spent 7 days in the ICU during that time I was supposed to be prepping the house. I sympathize. This, too, shall pass.
@ Denise~ Thanks. The good news is that my two have become best friends, playing together. I keep reminding myself of that.
@ alita~ You too, huh? Good luck with your process. I can’t wait for it to be o.v.e.r.!
@ Gina~ Thanks for the good advice. Sometimes I use a timer and clean as many things as I can in a certain amount of time — sometimes I try to get the kids to join me. That part doesn’t always work out though… ; )
@ Kathleen~ Thank you so much for your kind words. It’s true that this too shall pass, and that I just need to remember what’s really important. Thanks.