Kids are tough; no one will ever question this. NO. ONE. We are raising little people, hoping that one day they turn into self sufficient young adults that are kind and productive members of society. We teach them everything from how to go to the bathroom, wipe their own bottoms, use a spoon, brush their teeth, bathe, share toys, and express their emotions in words. The list could go on and on and on. Bottom line there is nothing they do that they do not get from us. That is a huge responsibility, and it is down right exhausting.
Observing and Doing
Kids learn best by observing, or at least mine seem to. So that means I let go of my privacy and personal space long ago. The door is ALWAYS open for them. 
I have helpers in the kitchen and laundry room, I have helpers when I am picking up toys, and I even get visits in the bathroom. My daughter talks to me every night while I take a bath; she sits on the rug next to my bathtub and talks about anything and everything. So to say they are always watching is an understatement. I love when I see them do something just like I would; it means that they really are listening and watching me.
But one of the most frustrating things you can do as a mom is let your kids do things for themselves. We know how quickly things would get done if we did everything for them. Dressing themselves, brushing their teeth (we still “check” them), putting their dishes in the sink, getting their bath ready, putting up toys, etc. My children move at snail speed 100% of the time if they are doing something mom asked them to do. But they are building skills and independence that will help them to be successful. Not only are we sacrificing our energy while teaching our children, we are also sacrificing our time.
The Work is Never Done
Once the kids go to sleep the work is done and you can sit down and relax, right? Wrong. The wheels of a mom never stop turning. Bedtime is when the real fun starts for me. Laundry, cleaning house, cooking, dishes, meal planning, packing bags for vacation, blah blah blah. None of this is fun. All I want to do is watch Real Housewives on my couch with my feet kicked up and relax. Let’s just say that does not happen very often.
It takes every bone of will power in my body to not sit down once the kids are asleep. Because once I do, it is over; no chance of being productive for the rest of the night. Most nights I succeed, but some nights I don’t, and that is ok. Because that is the hard part. After spending the day “working” for your family at home and away, the show must go on even after the little angels close their eyes. Because someone has to do it for them, until they can do it all for themselves.
