Well it has certainly been a rough start for our family this school year. While I had been so looking forward to a routine and being able to work in peace and quiet, it has not gone as smoothly as I thought it would.
My work time has been drastically cut down, by almost two hours just because I have to get my children to and from school, along with another group of kids in the afternoon. I can’t even necessarily finish up my work when we finally get home because there are homework issues, dinner to cook and football practice.
When I finally finished the last of my writing assignments at 8:30 last night, I wanted to cry. This was not at all what I had envisioned.
Then add to it I have one child who is adjusting well to middle school, however, is struggling with the amount of homework he is getting. He has to balance that with football practice and it hasn’t been easy.
Another child who tends to get herself worked up was in tears last night because she couldn’t understand her biology homework. I tried to help but was as lost as she was.
Then there is the other child who announces to me five minutes before we are supposed to walk out the door this morning that he doesn’t have pants. He just couldn’t believe that I didn’t get the wash done yesterday. I think I actually had steam coming out of my ear when I heard that one.
On top of it, everyone is having a very hard time with getting up early again. We are all struggling to adjust our bodies to an earlier end to the evening and an earlier awake time.
On the way to school this morning, maneuvering through traffic that I was sure had purposely been put there just to frustrate me more, I told my children that they were in for a wake up call. Mom just can’t do it all.
During my children’s younger years I was a stay-at-home mom. I even homeschooled for a period of time. I have always been available to my children. Even when I did put them in school I have always worked part-time. I have been there for my children before they leave for school, after school and during their summer vacation.
A couple of months ago I took on a regularly paid freelance writing job that has pretty much put me at full-time working status. With that job and other freelance writing jobs I do, I have much more work than everyone is used to. While mom used to do it all, I no longer can.
I am still available to my children since I work at home but they have been too used to me having it all under control. Now it is time they learn to take on more responsibility. I told my son who didn’t have pants that he needs to start doing his own laundry. He also needs to start setting his own alarm and waking himself up.
I told my daughter that there would be no more hanging out with friends after school. If she was going to still be up at 9 p.m. crying about her homework, then it needs to be done right after school.
I told my youngest son the same thing about hanging out with friends. Right now his priorities have to be homework and football practice. When he has extra time, he can socialize.
I am still trying to figure out a good schedule and routine that will make the day go much smoother. But at the same time I am learning to accept that I really can’t do it all. Now if I can just get my children to accept it.
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