Life is a juggling act. Well, not for everyone. But for most. Kids or no kids, work or no work, there’s always something going on. 

Children definitely add a whole new element to the balancing act. Instead of just balancing on a high wire, it now involves being blindfolded, having knives thrown at you, and coating the balancing wire with Crisco. It’s difficult and exciting. Being a parent is tough duty and it’s fun.

Having little ones means I can go down that slide one more time or sit in the swings and not be looked upon as a weirdo. No one has to know how much enjoyment I get out of reliving my childhood; it just looks like I am a caring and attentive mom.

Unfortunately, being an adult means having responsibilities, tasks, and deadlines.  As much as I would like to play at the park all day, there are still household chores, life duties, and job-related activities.

Pets enhance our lives for the better.   But, even our fur-babies add to the challenge of this delicate balancing act. They need attention, walks, and mental stimulation. Leaving the house is never easy. We must remember to make plans for someone to let the dog out, and we have to be back for feeding time. A missed meal means the house gets torn apart. 

It’s like there’s a clock ticking in the back of our head at all times. Where do I need to be? What time is it now? I feel like I have to be somewhere soon. But where? I always feel like I am forgetting something, and if I don’t remember, the world will fall apart. The worst part is the fear that I will be regarded as a bad mom.  For example, if I forget it’s a minimum day at school and I fail to pick up my child at the dismissal time, I will feel like the worst mother ever invented. 

Boundaries help. If you are a kind and giving person, setting limitations may be a challenge. For bold people, it may be a bit easier. In any given day, it’s tough to know exactly how much can be performed in a specific time allotment. Personally, I always over-gauge my daily capabilities. There’s too much to do and not enough time. Ever.  

Life is a race and if you’re in it, you want to win it. Realistically, if you show up, if you’re present for your children, if you really get down to their level and listen to them, talk to them, play with them, you’re a winner. The laundry can wait, the dishes can wait, and who cares if the house looks like a tornado came through?

Laura D. March 2022