I’m not alone

I was reading one of my favorite blogs today, when I came across this picture of a mom lying on a rug surrounded by toys,  ”Ahhhhh so I’m not alone!” I said to myself.  It was so refreshing to see this picture to know that somewhere out there, there is a mom who tries her best and still the house isn’t tidy, the meals are not homemade and occasionally the kids go off wearing a stain or two.

I don’t think of myself as lazy and I would hope that one of my family or friends would say tell me to quit my whining and get busy, if I were.  But there are days that I feel like I am constantly cleaning up toy after toy after toy – you get the idea and yet I am still never done.  The tough part for me is that I am not taking that time to fully engage and play with my kids.  It is good for them to learn to play on their own for a little bit, but some days I wonder – how long did I actually sit down and “play”?!

Whenever I mention this challenge to a mom who has “been there” she confidently tells me that, “the kids are young and it will all come in time”.  So I know there is a light at the end of the toy tunnel! I even received some great advice at my girls night this month, from a non mom, who said so casually, “Why not ask your kids to help you clean up the table after lunch and dinner?”  Hmmm what a novel idea!!  I tend to think that they are too young to help, but that slowly changes.  So since that piece of advice we have been doing just that.  ”Come on boys, help mommy clean up!”  And the best part is that now my husband even pitches in, guess he doesn’t want to feel left out, thank goodness