Monday, July 23, 2012

The Challenge

So, you know how some people say there aren't enough hours in a day?  Well, when you have 4 little kids, I think that's really true.  I am just now coming to the realization that there is no way for me to accomplish every task I set out for myself in the number of hours I am awake in a day.  Just feeding my kids alone, between making meals and nursing, takes up hours and hours (or at least it feels that way.)  Even when I abstain from things like Facebook and catching up on my favorite shows (only at lunchtime), I just can't seem to get everything done!

There are a couple solutions to this problem.  A big one, of course, is to cut back and lower expectations.  No woman, except for maybe Martha Stewart and my mother, can wash, dry, fold, and put away three loads of laundry, clean (or at least wipe down) 2 bathrooms, wash and put away dishes, make 3 meals for 6 people, nurse two babies, vacuum, sweep, mop, read to the children, read for herself, blog about that reading, catch up with friends...Ok, I've gotten a bit dramatic.  I apologize. It's just that sometimes I feel like my head is spinning in circles as I move from one task to the next without a break.  And the point is, no one can do it all.  And I, as limited as I am, can't even do half of it.  So I've got to slow down.

The other solution, and one that I like a lot less, is the Challenge.  I am not an early riser.  In fact, I am almost always the last person awake in the house in the morning.  (Thank you, dear Jesse.)  But I think it is time for that to end.  I can't see any way around it; I need more hours in my day.  And now is the time, with the school year starting in a few short weeks, for me to get down to business and get myself up before my sweet little chicks.  The Challenge is to wake up at 6 every morning (provided that my sweet hub has set up the coffee for me the night before...I can't make coffee to save my life) and get things done before the kids get up at 7.  What will I do with my new-found time?  I will definitely drink coffee and read my Bible.  I may start the first load of many in the washing machine, or make preparations for that night's dinner.  Some mornings maybe I'll exercise (I hope!) and some I'll read.  I'll lesson plan, blog, puree baby food, and catch up on emails.  Whatever I do, I know I'll be grateful for the time.  Will I hit a wall at three in the afternoon?  I may.  But I'll feel a lot less guilty about closing my eyes for 15 minutes if I know that I was awake, preparing for our day while my children slept.

There it is, that's my challenge.  Small, maybe even simple, and certainly something that so many mothers do already.  But for me, making this a habit could be transforming.  And I'm telling you, whoever you are, because I want you to hold me to it.  Thanks.  <3

5 comments:

  1. Oh Courtney! You are already one of the most amazing (and busy) people I know...
    This summer, I am definitely the last person awake in our house during the week. And I should probably at least get up with the kids instead of waiting for them to tell me they are starving after they've been up for hours already. hahaha
    Everytime I think I'll start getting up earlier than them, I fear that they will hear my alarm and get up with me- which would defeat the purpose- and so I never do. I will gladly read how this effects your life! I know LOTS of moms that do it and (mostly) love it, I am just not ready to take that step. I am NOT a morning person! Feel free to challenge me with this once you have gotten it down for yourself ;)
    Good luck!

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    1. Deb, that is totally me too. Although we have a rule in our house that makes things a bit more predictable. The girls are allowed to get up, but not leave their room until 7. They have a digital clock, so they can both tell the time, and now that Addy shares a room with them she has been staying in until 7 too...probably because she can't open the door on her own. ;) Anyway, I have always been just as hesitant as you are, and time will tell if I actually have enough energy to keep this going...also, now that you're not nursing, maybe it's time to take up the time-honored habit of coffee drinking! :)

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    2. Haha I tried the drinking coffee thing, and the caffeine crash at 2pm was NOT worth it! I had to detox to get over my addiction (that really was only a few months anyways) and I like not needing it so much better! I do have some sometimes, but I absolutely can not make it a habit again. And I was only drinking 1/2 caff at most because regular does crazy things to my heart. My kids are not allowed up until 7 either- though mostly they have learned to sleep until then anyways. But these days, I have been sleeping until way past 8. Ahhh!! I get some time to myself at night, so I'm not dying for it, but I dont make it as useful as I could, I guess. Productive most of the time, but not for just me.

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  2. Have you seen the blog www.inspiredtoaction.com? They host Hello Mornings... an accountability group of sorts online!

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    1. Kelly, I actually follow her on Facebook, but I haven't looked to closely at Hello Mornings. Thanks for reminding me, it sounds helpful and great!

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