Chrystal’s Chronicles Repost (5/24/13): Reread this post and while I agree striving to be a good wife and mom is not work for wimps, the seasons of motherhood absolutely do change. Older children in the mix means that I have more help. I no longer am nursing babies and my boys can bathe themselves. Dinner duty is on rotation and I have two other drivers in the house to help with chauffeuring. It changes. If you are in the middle of mothering young children, hang in there. And enjoy it! It only lasts for a little while…
It occurred to me this evening as I got up to clean up the kitchen that I didn’t feel like it. What was more amazing is that I realized how many times over the last week, month, and year I’ve felt the same way about quite a few of my new found responsibilities in wifehood, and mothering.
Truth is, there is very little room for selfishness and for whining in this place of servanthood. If I took the route of bemoaning my fate, things would only get worse and then I’d have a bigger whole to dig myself out of.
If I don’t do the dishes, they pile up. If I don’t do the laundry, we have no clean clothes. If I don’t pay the bills, we have no electricity (worse no TV).
I can’t even imagine what life would look like around here if I did only what I feel like doing. Hence, I’ve discovered that this path in life is not for sissies or for women who are not made of tough stuff.
I’ve discovered that my best days are the ones where I arise early to get myself together before the troops converge and also where I got to bed later than everyone to make sure that things are at a good starting place for tomorrow.
Today, I started dinner shortly after finishing breakfast. Putting a chicken in the crockpot made my dinner prep all of 30 minutes at 6pm. Making gravy, roasting potatoes, cooking up some rice, and throwing together a salad was almost effortless. I also, made a menu for the rest of the week that allowed me to make my grocery list, which made it possible for me to get in and out of the grocery store in 30 minutes flat. Being semi-dressed (dressed but not glamorous) before my crew arose allowed me to somewhat composed when my doorbell rang. These are small things but huge when I can sigh at the end of the day and realize that I’ve given my all.
A day like this shines in comparison to those where I have been depressed, feeling behind, hungry, discombobulated, and stressed. Most of those days involved my self-pity and my whining about how hard things are and how much of it I can’t do.
Deciding to take my home and family on like a champ and not cowering…basically not being a PUNK….has made this day flow a lot smoother.
I tell you….everyday I live is another day that I idolize my mother’s ability to keep it all together for us and then step out of the house looking like a million bucks. I’m not there 🙂 but I figure I’ll get the hang of it one day. As long as I don’t punk out!
Chrystal, thanks for sharing this post! I do not have kids, but I have a hubby and a dog! Mind you, she 3 and thinks she is a 3 year old little girl. Matter of fact a “Doggie Diva”! Any who, I am currently a stay home wife and I swear going to a 9-5 is much easier! If done right, it’s not an easy task! Thank you for giving me a different mind set to approach being a “wifager” (a wife and house manager). I do some of the same helpful tips like rising early to prepare breakfast and lunch and starting on dinner; and staying up late to iron and prepare for the next day. I try to be a great help mate and take of the home things so the hubs can focus on the family and work.
Another thing I found helpful is cooking breakfast at night. I’ve learn that grits, oatmeal, bacon, and sausage stores well overnight. Just get up, pop it in the microwave, and cook eggs and toast. I don’t know if that will work for you, but it’s helpful to me on those days when I have cleaning and a million errands to run. 🙂
Thanks for sharing your tips! I’ll try to do more cooking before breakfast. Right now I keep it simple and cook one batch of oatmeal that will last for three breakfasts! Hadn’t tried the bacon though. Great idea!
I really needed this post today. I am a housewife and mom of 2 girls, 10 & 16, and I NEVER FEEL like doing all that needs to be done. But this post just confirmed some things that were revealed to me earlier during my Bible study time with a friend – it’s not just about me. Well, duh! We all know this but sometimes we live as if it is about us. But how I manage my home and treat my children and husband is not about today but about my girls’ tomorrows. I’m setting the example – is it a good and Godly example. This job is not for PUNKS nor is it for the faint of heart or idle (actually PUNKS sums it up well). I prayed many years for a family (10 pregnancies & only 2 births), how dare I now treat them as any less than the absolute treasure they are. In this season of my life, my main ministry is my home. All that I do should glorify God and point not only my children and my husband, but all who enter this walls, to God. In short, thank you. Now off the couch and off to work. Be blessed!
You are not by yourself! Re-reading this old post was confirmation for me too!
I’ve been feeling it in the trenches lately…every day mommy-hard and me struggling to breathe. I’ve added a few things to my plate recently and know that it’s added to my stress. Thankfully I can see the light at the end of the tunnel with projects and classes finishing up. A no “punking” out attitude will see me through to the finish line and a much needed vacation in June. Thanks for this motivator to keep it all organized and in check. Have a great holiday weekend!
One step in front of the other. Just. One. Step. 🙂
WOW! Thank you for sharing this. It is so amazing to know that someone else is experiencing some of the same things we as wives and mommies go through Crystal. I can understand what you are feeling as I too am a Wife and Mother and also heading into our 3rd year of Homeschool. Yes the kids and I are together….ALLLLLLLLLL the time…Did I say ALLLLLLL the time.(SMILE) What a selfless sacrifice. But Oh how sweet it is when you see the seeds that are planted in and around your children everyday. This was a great post and encouraged me tremendously. I know that God is has chosen me for such a time as this for my Family and realize that it only gets better as I step into the next 100Feet. Clearly that is about all I can think about at this time. Happy Summer to you and your Family, and I truly appreciate your Blog, it makes a REAL difference. We’re listening, It matters and what you do is changing the world for the better!! xo ~ MD Asberry
I definitely get “ALLLLLLLL the time!”… Thanks for the encouragement 🙂