Tag: parenting

Can you relate to wanting a slower 2024?

January 2nd, 2024

Who felt the busyness of 2023? I know I did. Now, I am speaking to those working moms out there. I started back to work full time in March 2023. This was a goal of mine to work full time when my youngest went to kindergarten. I think I thought the transition would be easier but let me tell you, it was rough. I’m pretty impressed with all my working mom friends who can juggle all the things. Side note: I was also a stay-at-home mom and that crap is freaking tough…but for now let’s stay on the track of working moms.

So much stuff to do all the time! The school projects, the work, the housework, the work, grocery shopping and oh yeah work. I’m going to be real with you that I took the worst nursing job possible just so I could jump back into work full time. I just said “how bad could it be.” I’ll say this…this job was the most amount of death on a unit I have ever experienced so no I wouldn’t call work fun. If you are in a job that is so emotionally draining, I get it. You really don’t have much left to give your family let alone yourself.

As we all head into the new year, I like to think about goals and expectations for what I want to accomplish this year. I think I need to look at 2024 differently. It is already packed with way more than I want or have time to do. I think we need to slow down as working moms. WTF does that even mean, I know. The to-do list is never ending and if you are like me, you get to the weekend and you have to work. All week long we take care of our families and then take care of patients on the weekend so it doesn’t leave room to fill up our own cups.

What does that look like if we slowed down? For me, I have been doing yoga in the morning before everyone wakes up or enjoying that cup of coffee in silence. I will say for all you moms with very young kids and working, you are in the trenches. Call on your people to vent and also ask for help. I did a crap job of this when my kids were little and I wish I could have told that version of myself to just ask for help. You aren’t weak, you are a bad a** biatch and asking for help just shows that you know your limits. We already know that you can do it all but you will leave nothing left for yourself and that isn’t good for anyone in your family or your job.
Can you relate to being pulled in different directions?

December 29th, 2023

Doesn’t it feel like sometimes life is pulling you in so many directions. Quick! Get up and go to work. Rush home in time to do bedtime. Make a home cooked meal. Connect with your husband. Clean the house because there is pee all over the toilet (thanks to all the boys in the house). Another school project, make lunches, entertain the kids and also BE HAPPY about it!

Feels like a lot of pressure to do all the things and do it well. I know for me, I hold myself to such a high standard of being a mom, a nurse and a wife that yes, I am doing all the things but the question is…am I doing it well? The answer, if I am honest, is nope! The annoying part is you can’t say no to the kids needs or to going to work. You HAVE to do all those things because it is necessary to work to pay your bills and it is your job as a parent to support your kids emotionally, physically and spiritually. Oh yeah…hey husband I see you over there too giving me the eye.

Do you ever just want to be alone, you know, no responsibilities. What a life! Just kidding, all these things are good and enjoyable too but sometimes it’s too much on our plates. Why do we feel guilty about letting the kids watch a little more TV than we want them to so we can rest. I think because we know that they become monsters and it isn’t worth it. Something has to give a little! Every job is stressful at some point whether you are a stay-at-home mom or working in the hospital. I have done both jobs separately and I am currently trying to find the balance between the two. You know what, I can’t seem to find that balance. Something is always screaming “give me more attention!”

Can you relate to this feeling of being pulled in so many directions? I think it is nice to know that when we are in these seasons, we aren’t alone in this. When we call that friend who can relate and they say “yeah I get it” or “that makes sense” it really validates that feeling of being human. We can’t do it all even if that perfectionism in us wants to because something has to give. In the process though, we will lose ourselves if we don’t find ways to put ourselves first.

Recently, the question was asked “what do I like to do for fun?” and you know what? I have no idea. I just do all the tasks, all the time and expect to be joyful about it. Why? Work is not fun. Being a parent can be fun but sometimes it freaking sucks and that is ok. I guess the a goal would be to find ways to have fun throughout my day so the mundane and annoying parts of work and life don’t seem so bad.

Tag: parenting

Can you relate to wanting a slower 2024?

Can you relate to being pulled in different directions?