Motherhood is a demanding calling. Not only are we the nose and bottom wipers, we are also the cooks, the taxi drivers, the educators, the listening ear, the encourager, the maid, and countless other “labels.” With all the demands put on us caring for our family’s and other’s needs it is all too easy to forget to take of ourselves. Is it any wonder then that we feel like running away from it all, locking ourselves in a room to scream or cry, feeling as if we can’t carry on anymore? Does the following poem sound like what we are unrealistically trying to do each day?
by ‘Dr. Sue’
(a.k.a. Vickie Gunther)
Look at me, look at me, look at me now!
You could do what I do
If you only knew how.
I study the scriptures one hour each day;
I bake,
I upholster,
I scrub,
and I pray.
I always keep all the commandments completely;
I speak to my little ones gently and sweetly.
I help in their classrooms!
I sew all they wear!
I drive them to practice!
I cut all their hair!
I memorize names of the General Authorities;
I focus on things to be done by priorities.
I play the piano!
I bless with my talents!
My toilets all sparkle!
My checkbooks all balance!
Each week every child gets a one-on-one date;
I attend all my meetings (on time! Never late!)
I’m taking a class on the teachings of Paul,
But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all …
I track my bad habits ‘til each is abolished;
Our t-shirts are ironed!
My toenails are polished!
Our family home evenings are always delightful;
The lessons I give are both fun and insightful.
I do genealogy faithfully, too.
It’s easy to do all the things that I do!
I rise each day early, refreshed and awake;
I know all the names of each youth in my stake!
I read to my children!
I help all my neighbors!
I bless the community, too, with my labors.
I exercise and I cook menus gourmet;
My visiting teaching is done the first day!
(I also go do it for someone who missed hers.
It’s the least I can do for my cherished ward sisters.)
I chart resolutions and check off each goal;
I seek each “lost lamb” on my Primary roll.
I can home-grown produce each summer and fall.
But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all …
I write in my journal!
I sing in the choir!
Each day, I write “thank you’s” to those I admire.
My sons were all Eagles when they were fourteen!
My kids get straight A’s!
And their bedrooms are clean!
I have a home business to help make some money;
I always look beautifully groomed for my honey.
I go to the temple at least once a week;
I change the car’s tires!
I fix the sink’s leak!
I grind my own wheat and I bake all our bread;
I have all our meals planned out six months ahead.
I make sure I rotate our two-years’ supply;
My shopping for Christmas is done by July!
These things are not hard;
It’s good if you do them;
You can if you try!
Just set goals and pursue them!
It’s easy to do all the things that I do!
If you plan and work smart, you can do them all, too!
It’s easy!” she said …
… and then she dropped dead.
There is no way to do it all! Once I realized that my life became much easier to handle. I choose between that which is good and that which is needful and some days that which is needful is taking care of me so I can take care of my family. I absolutely loved the talk Daughters of God given by Elder M. Russel Ballard in General Conference April 2008.
It is important to nourish ourselves spiritually, physically, and emotionally daily. After trying different schedules what works for me is to wake up early in the morning (5am) and take an hour for exercising and an hour for scripture/gospel study. Of course that works about 20% of the time. The other 80% is spent like this morning rising at 6 am to do 45 minutes of walking while listening to a couple of Classic BYU Speeches, then maybe a 15 minute scripture session. Some days its even just a 15 sprint of either walking or reading scriptures but the point is that doing something helps me have a better day and consequently my family. How true is the saying, “If momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy. If poppa ain’t happy don’t nobody care.”
Elder Ballard points out that we should cultivate our gifts and interests. I like to play the piano in the evenings after the children are in bed. It helps to calm me after a busy day. There is also one hour of every day scheduled for my “projects” – sewing, blogging, photography, whatever. The kids know that from 3 – 4 every afternoon it’s my time. Now of course, life being life, there are days when it’s not possible to do that but because I’ve had a little time to myself in the morning and because I know it is scheduled in, I will have that time at least once or twice during the week.
I love serving my family. I enjoy being there for them, helping them, loving them. I feel I do it so much better when I make the effort to care for me.
To find out more about Wordfull Wednesdays read here. The link to our latest Wordfull Wednesday can be found on my sidebar.
You are awesome!! Do you have that beautiful picture hanging in your house? That would make me smile everyday.
I love that poem every time I read it! Perspective! Thanks for the tips…I just love Wordful Wednesdays!
I’ve never read that poem before! It is too funny! Thank you!
Gorgeous and cute photo! I forgot this was coming but I’ll try to write a coherent post for today. =)
Nice post. I too need daily nourishment, without it, derangement soon follows. 🙂
Love the picture…might as well embrace it instead of fight it, right?
I love that talk also, for it’s warnings and encourgements.
I think 20% is a pretty good number considering all that can interupt, even at 5 in the morning.
You have quite a good routine figured out. I tend to want to be a scheduled, organized person – and setting a few boundaries/ routines for myself and not just the kids might be helpful. Thanks for the reminder! 🙂
Again, thanks for your inspiration.
I wish we lived closer so I could rub shoulders with you!
i dont know how you do it all.. my house gets in a mess with just three girls.. and two go to school!! you are an amazing example!
I couldnt even keep up with all that washing! right now I have a huge pile of folding waiting for me
I love your blog. My email is debnjason@msn.com. My blog is private, so I don’t think you can see what I have to say– or even if you’re interested. I feel like a spy on your blog sometimes, but I love it and am glad that I can participate. If you want to see my blog, email me your email so I can invite you. Your blog is so great– from recipes to fun crafts and just happy times.
I always love your posts! Is it bad that I liked the end of the poem? I was pretty tense while reading it!
Love the photo. Its priceless and much better than any serious portrait. Thank you so much for this post. I loved it. It was beautifully written and said exactly what I needed to hear.
Thank you so much for posting that talk. I had forgotten about it and really needed it this week.
I LOVE that poem!! And your picture was perfect!! Thanks for this topic! It really helped me to be thinking about it this week!! (Sorry I was late posting…life just happened yesterday! 🙂 )
This is a lovely lovely post, and I completely agree with you. There is something very important about making sure there is a bit of time for the self pretty regularly. The photograph is spectacular and makes me want to take one myself this weekend. Thanks for the inspiration, on several fronts.
What a great picture!
for sume weird reason i never so your pic in my feed. so SO funny.
Magnificent post, and gorgeous photo!!! It’s going to take me a while to mull on this; timely and important topic that’s always there, but that I haven’t given clear thought to (yet)….
That is so true. Taking time for yourself really does benefit the family as a whole. You are a great example of motherhood for me. Thanks!!
That is the best family photo EVER! (except it’s lacking Mr. F–I guess I should say best mom and kids photo ever.)
You are a big inspiration to me. Thank you for blogging.
I’m a new follower of your blog. Thanks for sharing your talents and time. Hope you don’t take too much time off, but at much as you need:)
I absolutely adore the family photo! 🙂 Priceless!
From one mom to another…the poem..it’s all in perspective isn’t it! 😉 LOVE IT!
Happy Homemaker Monday!
Jes
http://findingtrueserenity.wordpress.com/2009/09/27/homemade-pineapple-zucchini-bread/
Hi Cocoa! Just wanted to let you know that you were featured over at Homemaker Monday! Also, I stole the photo attached to this post, so if that’s not okay, let me know and I will delete it immediately! Thank you so much for participating in Homemaker Monday and I hope to see you around soon!