Friday, February 20, 2009

too true

Somewhere in my childhood memory there is a plaque in my parents' house that reads, "Cleaning the house while kids are growing is like shoveling snow while it's still snowing."
Um yeah, if you're shoveling snow in Siberia, maybe.

Didn't I just DO the dishes/laundry/vacuuming? The part where nothing you do (tangibly) as a mother STAYS done is really a deeply emotional issue. It is so incredibly easy to feel like you aren't accomplishing anything at all. It requires constant reminders from outside of yourself to keep what you DO accomplish in perspective. Can't hear it too often, which is possibly why Visiting Teaching messages have a way of sounding redundant.

Do me a favor, and if you are not a mother of young children, go find someone who is and tell her how marvelous her efforts are. If you are a mother of young children, go read (or re-read) this and feel good about yourself.

Along that vein, I'm trying not to be discouraged by the fact that everytime Sir O and I play with blocks, I'm the one building and he's the one demolishing. Or by the part where he's constantly telling me to "Go away mommy" or telling my what I'm doing (i.e. chopping veggies) is "Stop! Not Safe!) Bossy little Sir.The redundancy of my days and the great struggle to get anything at all "accomplished" is a wee bit smothering. Must.do.the.dishes. Must.start.the.laundry. Sometimes I feel like my children are holding on to my productive capacities with bonds of quicksand. It's almost like being in a dream and moving in slow motion while everything else proceeds at a normal rate. I don't even like to do the things that now require all my focus and determination to get done. (And which are promptly undone... but which must be done nevertheless)

I don't expect it to get any easier, but I'm hoping my capacities are increased. Well, either that or that I miraculously find myself with my own washer, dryer, and dishwasher. I'd settle for that.

But self, I'm glad that the Captain's holes work so well, even if it means more laundry. And I'm glad we have enough to eat, even if it means more dishes. I'm glad Sir O is energetic, even if it means more messes and more peril for the Captain. See, the "glad game" works! At least a little bit.

10 comments:

The Hodges Family said...

Oh Em, I relate 100%.....So here it goes...Great job on all you do as a mother, daughter, and wife =) Sending my love from across the country.....think about you often, promise. I read your blog daily and really really relate...I look forward to hearing your thoughts and stories....love ya!

shelley said...

I also think you should remember no one is standing over your shoulder judging what you are or what you are not doing. You are doing your best, and that's all you can ask of yourself. It's hard to see all the good you are doing when you're in the trenches, but you're doing the most important job in the world - taking care of two little boys, who need all of you!
Keep it up - you are doing just great!

Anonymous said...

Yes. To all of it. Especially the perspective part. Some days that makes all the difference.

Also? You're a good mommy and are doing a good job.

Brittany said...

Aw, Em you are such a good mom. In fact, there are moments in my day when I am sitting on the couch and I think to myself, I wonder what Em is doing with her kids? Probably something uber creative / productive / educational. It's hard not to play the comparison game too. But know that you are a great mom, and are looked up to by others, and your boys!

Katie May said...

I love the fact that you take pictures of your playtime with Oliver because I know that those will be gems later on! This may not be what you were intending, but you're boosting ME up! You're doing such a great job. We're rooting for you!

Deena said...

I've also heard it compared to sweeping the ocean or straightening the deck chairs on the Titanic.

You just made me really grateful for my appliances.

--jeff * said...

em, you're an example and an inspiration to so many.
thank you for writing.
looking forward to seeing you next month!

Janell said...

Girl, I happened upon your blog..hope it's okay. You took the works right out of my heart and mind as I was reading this post. I ditto all of it! It's great to know that I'm not the only one that feels this way. Thanks for the post. It made my day

Ashley said...

I think you look like you are doing an amazing job! I love your apron and totally feel like baking a cake now. I bet Sir O was in Heaven.

Heather Crozier said...

Thanks for the post. It was good for me to read that talk by Elder Ballard. I needed that.

Hang in there yourself!

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