Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Time for Mom


I've had some conversations lately with homeschooling friends. One of the things that has repeatedly emerged in our talks is the need to find time for mom.

It's a hard thing to do when we are pressed by so many demands. Let's face it. There is often more going on in our homes that we can quite manage. We are frequently interrupted, pulled in competing directions, piled on, and pushed to give in to repeated appeals. We find ourselves ignored, adored, defied, and needed -- all in the same day. Somewhere in all of this, we are responsible for carving out a life and creating a home. If we teach our own, then we must also craft an education.

Often, the last thing on the agenda for the day is time for mom. It isn't as urgent as the other things pressing on us. And there's that perception that clings to us -- the one which whispers that if we can just get the next few things done, there will be space for a pause.

Have you noticed that the pause rarely arrives? Or if it does, you missed it? That the demands keep tumbling in on you and new needs flow in like water behind the ones you just filled?

Ask yourself for a minute, what if my life never slows down? What if the stress doesn't let up? What if the break, the lessening of demands, I anticipate is a mirage on my horizon, and when I arrive at the spot where it appeared, the promise will be further on, ahead of me -- elusive and out of reach?

Give me your thoughts on this. Let's talk about it this week.

4 comments:

  1. I know exactly what you mean. Lately I wrote my own post where I express that I'm just going to simply MAKE time for me. I've noticed that if it's important to me then I always have time for it.

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  2. Wow, I'm just ready to flop. That's what "mom time" looks like tonight anyhow. I do have a rare space tonight (about 1.5 hours) in which to breathe and all I can think of is this need to flop my weary self down onto the plush carpet as if I were in a vegetated state (to all who may wonder) until something or someone compels me to move.

    I thought that I would have time to do something domestically or spiritually productive, or both, but now that I'm here alone, I can't do either.

    Is this a missed pause?
    Too tired to even play.

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  3. Julie-

    I am glad you are getting some rest. Go for it!

    SAHMinIL-

    Thanks for sharing this with us. I read your post and left a comment for you there.

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  4. I definitely find myself thinking, "ok - if I just get this and this done then it will be out of the way and I can relax a little more." But often times, other things take precedent. And I find that many times I'm working on things until I need to go to bed. I do relax here and there, don't get me wrong - especially Friday nights/Saturday mornings (that's when we have Sabbath rest). But I find even then there are times when I don't do what I'd really like to do - like read a book or do some Bible study. Still, it is a break from the regular chores and such. It is so hard to find that balance in setting aside time just for myself. Many times, there are so many things looming over my head that need to be done.

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