We are barely two months into the school year. Not even through the first semester, and I am already on schedule overload. With a high schooler, a fifth grader, and two toddlers, we suddenly have something scheduled every day of the week. I just filled out our monthly schedule, and there is one day that I didn’t list preschool, practice, gymnastics, a birthday party, or family get-together. It’s a Sunday at the end of a marathon month.
I assume that it doesn’t stop from here. I am new to this part of the parenting game. Our fifth grader just started playing soccer, and with a freshman in high school, there is a whole host of social and school obligations that have suddenly appeared on the radar. The sleep-deprived days with an infant were less stressful than this balancing act. The calendar is winning my friends. It’s not even close.
When we are in the midst of it, I just feel like this is our lives. It didn’t strike me that we are THAT busy until I filled out the family calendar. I added the things we know about already, and it was full. Toss in high school football games, birthday parties, work events, doctor appointments, homework, and all the rest of the stuff that comes up through the month, and it’s going to be jam-packed. Work calendar? Totally separate for both of us, so let’s not forget late conference calls and early meetings. We have to grocery shop at some point. Date nights. Exercise. Self-care. Guess sleeping is out until 2040.
I have told myself that having working parents won’t prevent our kids from being able to play sports, participate in activities at school, go to field trips, and all that other stuff. Lies. It’s all lies. If we are being honest, extracurriculars are not kind to families with working parents. Why does soccer start at 5 p.m.? Club choir pickup is at 3 p.m.? Awesome. Guess everyone is getting a Lyft account.
I have a long, cross-town commute. As it is, I am not able to help much with the after-school insanity of homework and prepping for dinner. Throw in a pick-up from practice, and I am rendered absolutely useless. Cue feelings of guilt because I don’t feel guilty enough over being a working mom who basically outsources parenting for 10 hours a day. It’s a less-than-welcome addition to the ever-growing list of reasons to quit working.
I know that some of you are thinking, “Geez lady, you are the one that signs them up for all of these things.” We aren’t a multi-sport, multi-activity household. For those of you who balance multiple sports in the same season and school activities, God bless you. Each of our girls is in one activity right now, and I clearly can’t keep up. Oh, and on top of that, we are only responsible for activities half the time. I am totally ill-equipped for this season of parenting. Or, maybe a bunch of the rest of you feel the same way, and I am the only one saying it? Yes, yes, that must be it. I can’t be the only one that doesn’t hate it when practice is rained out because it means a little more calm for one evening…
Oh, and that Sunday at the end of the month? I jinxed myself. We just added a birthday party.
You are truly are a super mom and your girls are witnessing your amazing ability to balance work and family. The guilt gets us all sometimes – no matter the circumstances – but never forget that you are doing your best and your girls are happy and well loved. And sometimes it’s ok to pray to the rain gods for a cancelled game or to say no to one of those birthday parties! 😀
Thanks Jennifer! I know you feel the pain.