Christmas vacation is officially over. And for us, that means that a 3 month homeschool break is over as well. We took some time off just before Jonah arrived and through the holidays. There was a lot of learning about all things baby and the break was good for us. I really thought that returning to our studies and Jonah being 10 weeks old would be good timing. I thought I’d have my bearings about me. I thought we’d be closer to a schedule with him and naps. I thought we’d somewhat have a routine. BWAHAHAHAHA. Not even close. I’ll admit that I’ve cried more than once the last 2 days since we started back. It’s so much to add to our day. Our already very full day. I’m feeling overwhelmed, tapped out, just….spent. Nursing all day, taking care of a newborn, is a full time job. Two other little kids at home to keep busy, chase, love on and discipline, another full time job. The way we eat, the meals we cook from scratch, it isn’t easy. It’s time consuming, it takes planning, it takes effort, another full time time job. I wish we could order a pizza at the end of a long day, or drive thru for takeout, but that isn’t our life or possible anymore. Three businesses, finding the time to actually work….it’s crazy. Not to mention this is the busiest month of the year for birthphotographers.com. There is so much going on behind the scenes with it, most of which Jason is handling, but it’s super time consuming in January and even more so this year vs. years past. I’m so thankful for his help because I’d sink without it. He’s been working extra hours with his real job too, which means he’s home later and that’s hard. Three businesses, 4 kids, one nursing newborn, one teenager with teenage size problems, homeschooling, meal prep, keeping up with our house….it’s all catching up with me. I want to tap out. I want to hire a second mom to come live with us. Or a nanny. Or a teacher. Or a cook. I have people say all the time, I don’t know how you do it all. I don’t! Jason does so much. And I still always feel like I have way to much on my shoulders. Always dividing myself into small pieces for everyone who needs something. And feeling like no one gets enough or the best of me. Do all moms feel that way? How do you cope?
Here’s to hoping we find our new groove after a few more days.
I dont know about ALL moms but all normal moms feel that way 🙂 Your little one is way too young for you to be analyzing it all. Its so much to homeschool and do everything else at the same time. Give yourself grace. Prioritize, delegate (sounds like you are used to that!) maybe treat yourself to a housekeeper or babysitter or whatever helps in this season. We all need help! We are gluten free and have food allergies too so I totally sympathize with just wanting to order a pizza! wouldnt that be so nice some nights! 🙂
Yep. I think we all feel that way. But YOU, in particular, have so very much on your plate (more than the average bear!) and have every right to feel stretched so thin. Can you host a “party” for your closest friends and family to come by and assemble some nourishing crock pot meals/soups (to freeze in Mason jars) under your instructions and watchful eye? And then can they continue the party by letting you nap while they clean?!
I do all of our meal planning on Saturday night, shop on Sunday morning, and then all of my meal prep on Sunday afternoons during naptime (chop veggies, prep chicken, make hummus, wash and bag greens, cook all of our grains, start bone broth, etc.) Then the rest of the week feels easy because all of our meals are ready to cook. That’s taken a huge amount of stress out of evenings. Also, can you hire a babysitter one afternoon a week, or even a couple hours? To go for a run, or out to Starbucks for some “me” time, or even just for a shower and a nap? It’s hard to let go of the kids for an afternoon, but honestly, it’s SO worth it. Even if you can’t get a babysitter and you just let them watch movies the whole afternoon, which sometimes I let them do. Once a week it won’t hurt, they’ll be thrilled, and it’s worth it, because you can be a better caregiver when you are rested and clear-headed.
I don’t have any brilliant answers for you, just commiseration. 😉 But, I did love this article by Diane Hopkins. It’s a great, short, inspiring, and relief-inducing read for those trying to homeschool with a baby in the house. Good luck! You are NOT alone!! 😀