Motherhood: Wonderful and Tough

I hate it when I have to say that "it's been a while since my last post" but there it is. A lot has happened since my last post including a job change. So I have been busy. But I just read a post on another Working Mom blog that cannot go unnoticed.

Katherine Lewis wrote a post entitled, "Motherhood: Yes, It's Supposed to be This Hard." In her post, Katherine writes about how crazy our lives can be and when that happens, it's easy to feel that our kids demand too much of our time. If only we had more time to do work, chores, clean the house...

It's just at these times that Katherine suggests that we, as Moms, take a step back and reconnect with our families. I couldn't agree more. And she states, "If you think it's hard, then you're doing it right." Even though I think I know that, it's really great to hear.

Sometimes it seems overwhelming, doesn't it? I am on the go from the moment that my eyes open in the morning till the moment that they close (usually around 11pm). But what if it wasn't that way? I realize that I love my kids and I love my career. So I'm not sure I would have it any other way. I just have to deal with my life being incredibly hectic, try not to stress out and forgive myself for the things that fall through the cracks occasionally.

Happy Mother's Day to all of you amazing Moms out there and thank you to all of our wonderful, crazy, fun, frustrating, high-maintenance kids for giving us the opportunity to be amazing.

Cheers,
Renay

Piling it on

I have determined that I am a glutton for punishment. In addition to my full time job, kids and family responsibilities, activities, networking events, taking care of my house and my cat, I have decided to add yet another "item" to my list: a cute, rambunctious, 13-week old puppy.

We picked her up last Sunday - a friend of a friend had adopted her from a shelter in TN (she was transported up north) and was unable to keep her. I saw her picture and I was toast. So here was my first day with Molly...

Wake up at 5:30, let Molly out, feed her, get kids ready for school, take Molly for a walk, get her into her crate, take kids to their 2 schools, go to work for 2 hours, go home to walk/check on Molly. Back to work for a few more hours, stop at home in the afternoon to walk Molly. Go back to work, pick up kids, go home and walk Molly. Make dinner, do homework with both kids, help with showers, make lunches for the next day. Finally, let Molly out for her last potty break.

Is that insane or what? I'm pretty used to multi-tasking but this is ridiculous. It has gotten easier as the week has gone on. I'm hoping we can make it work. As I look into those big brown eyes that are currently staring at me, I realize that I have fallen for her. What am I thinking?

Cheers,
Renay

Ode to Girlfriends

Okay, so I've had a glass of wine or two...but I thought it quite appropriate to devote a post to my girlfriends.

As working Moms, we are challenged for time. Between work, kids' activities, homework, dinner and (hopefully) exercise, how do we fit in social time with our friends? Well, I look at my time with my girlfriends as absolutely necessary and part of my "mental health" routine.

When I'm with my friends, I can share my biggest challenges at work, I can discuss the fight I had with my husband last week and I can ask for their advice regarding my latest parenting challenge. Who else can you do this with? Who else accepts and understands the way your best girlfriends do?

Often times, we look at our friends and our social time as a luxury because we are so busy. But I believe that this is the wrong way to think of it. Spending time with my friends makes me a better Mom, a better wife and even a better employee. Thankfully, I have a husband who understands this and is quite supportive of my time with friends.

So the next time you think you are too busy or too tired for that drink after the kids go to bed, think again. Make the time and reconnect with friends. It's definitely worth it.

Cheers,
Renay

TV Choices

Happy New Year! Yes, it's 2010 and I'm still up to my old tricks...staying up ridiculously late, looking stuff up online, catching up on Facebook, etc. But today Zach, my 7-year old, asked me something that has me thinking...

I have written before about the TV dilemma; which shows should I let him watch? And then if he's watching an "older kids show," what about my 4-year old who inevitably watches with him?

Today, Zach asked me if our PBS channel only had "baby shows." I told him that I do not think so but apparently, the kids at school do. Quite frequently, he wants to watch "X-Men" and other related shows. While I will occasionally let him watch those, I often do not allow it since some of them seem violent.

But am I babying him? We have begun letting him see movies that are a bit more grown up but since he watches some TV almost every day, I feel like I really need to oversee the shows he is watching. When I hear him make comments like this to me, I start feeling guilty, like maybe I'm too overprotective and need to let him make a few more choices.

So tough...it's amazing that our kids don't come with instructions. I wish I had some! I welcome any thoughts you have on this subject.

Cheers,
Renay