This isn’t a blog full of revolutionary thoughts and ideas. It’s more of an unscripted reality show put into words.
Last week, during that fall break that seems to cause more inconvenience and expense than a break, I completely forgot my son needed lunch to go to camp. He eats school lunch during the week so it was not part of our routine. When did I remember? 6:20 am, on my way out the door for my 6:30 am work shift. (I live 4 minutes from work, so I had “plenty” of time).
I ran back, threw a hodgepodge of snacks in his lunch box and told my husband to sell it like it was some cool “make your own box” full of delicious food.
At least I remembered to reserve a spot at camp, right?
This is just a 5-minute glimpse into the reality of trying to do it all, but barely surviving.
I try really hard to attend my son’s sporting events, make sure he learns good study habits and keeps up his grades and reading skills, participate in fun days at school, plan and cook dinner, workout, be a contributing member of my marriage, engage my dogs, and oh yeah, and run a business mostly on my own (that in and of itself is an overwhelming task).
This isn’t an invitation to my pity party. It’s a reality check for moms and dads whose plates are overflowing and feel like they are juggling, with very little wins in the mix.
Sure, I remembered to reserve a spot at camp. I just forgot my kid needed to eat. NBD.
To be honest, I’m surprised I remember half of what I do. This is hard. It hits me some days REALLY hard. If there’s a moment of silence that catches me off guard, I’ll probably take a moment to cry. I find amazement in my parents who really did do it all, and showed very little struggle. Sure, four kids in private school, we knew money was tight, but it was everything else they managed to pull off. We were involved kids. Sports, clubs, friends; it didn’t stop. My dad working three jobs, their marriage crumbling because of the inability to participate in their marriage, my mom going back to school to get a better career – pure amazement, I tell ya.
I can’t throw in the towel. I’m not sure I want to either. But man, some days, I could really use some help. Someone to answer the calls and the emails, to interview and hire staff, maybe even someone to plan the birthday party, to cook the meals and to make sure there’s lunch. Until then, the reality of doing it all will continue to be ugly.
But that “make your own” lunch box was a win.
PS – I have a really great husband who does more than I could ask for! We’re just busy people with busy lives, trying to do it all!
