Just keep swimming… just keep swimming… do not drown… no time for dog paddle… just keep swimming.
Activities, recipes, free printables and life with four kids
Activities, recipes, free printables and life with four kids
Just keep swimming… just keep swimming… do not drown… no time for dog paddle… just keep swimming.
Okay, must be in the air. Posted on exactly this today too :)
Honestly, I don’t cope well. But once I get over my sulks I just pick myself up and focus on one job at a time. Eventually, those small jobs add up and you are back on top again.
I’d love to know how people always keep on top of everything. Do they not sleep?
I fall in a heap sometimes too… but I keep telling myself if I can just keen going eventually things will get better right?
Omg!! You have a dishwasher!! I am envious.
Well I just write it down… All the little things that need doing….I then go through the list as best I can. If kids are sick…or I am sick, like now I stop and think about what I have done. If I have appointments or outings I include these on the list. It helps me realise I do a lot.
Anna, You have to get a dishwasher! I’ve only had one for 12 months and I’m kicking myself not not getting onto it sooner. It changed our lives – no exaggeration!
Yep I agree.. dishwasher is an awesome thing! We lived for a long time without one and I don’t know how I managed. Even when the dishwasher was out on our back deck because we had no actual kitchen, it was still awesome! LOL
And lists are also my savior!
Getting a new kitchen two weeks….it will have a dishwasher and I can’t wait
Well there is this thing called chocolate, lol!! Helps solve every dilemma :)
This term we had the school production, my 3-year old broke his leg and has it in a full leg cast, the kids and I all got headlice, DH is starting a new job… I have been feeling more like I’m treading water than dog-paddling. But on the other hand – I fed and clothed the kids and got them to school, read stories, unloaded the dishwasher, folded the washing, managed to plan a short family trip “up North” in the school holidays. Even if I feel like I’m doing nothing but scrolling Tumblr to calm down… I did in fact manage to Get Some Things Done and just because I did some things the easier way (delivering kids to school in the car instead of pushing massive preschooler both directions in the buggy!) doesn’t mean I didn’t, in fact, DO them.
Guess I should answer the question:
1) give yourself credit for what you are doing instead of feeling crap for things you’re not doing
2) if you do a thing, don’t feel guilty that you’re not doing the “fancy” version of it (Kids play for just as long with a few cups, spoons and bowls in the bath as they do in some sensory tub of rice scattered across your entire house; a packed lunchbox is a blessing even if it’s not got bento panda-faces in it; if my kid has a broken leg that totally justifies using the drop-off zone at school)
3) turn on a podcast/audiobook and go on autopilot pottering around the kitchen cleaning bits and pieces. The listening gives my brain something to do instead of fretting about crap, and the floor might actually get swept because I don’t get distracted by something in the other room (see #4)
4) don’t start scrolling Tumblr.
I like the idea of the podcast/audio book! Might help distract me from negative thinking patterns.
I have another friend who swears by the podcast house cleaning method… We don’t usually have enough bandwidth to download them at home but I must stock up when we are next visiting a friend with unlimited internet!
Usually have a big cry and then dust myself off and get on with it. List making usually helps, especially the crossing off part :)
sometimes the release from a big cry is so good isn’t it…
Oh my goodness – you don’t want to see my kitchen bench right now! Just in from work having my coffee and trying to get the ‘umph’ to tackle it. I think it might be done by Saturday at the earliest!
Our bench seems to reflect our life… always full and messy!
I agree with the remember to give yourself credit for everything you are doing! It sometimes surprises me when I stop to think about it.
Also don’t compare yourself to other people who seem to have it all together. I find that generally they don’t once you get to know them past a blog posting or a facebook status. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help when you really need it.
I have a sign hanging in my kitchen: “Good mothers have sticky floors, filthy ovens, and HAPPY KIDS”. Always when I overwhelmed with the household, I sit down on the floor with my kids, and play and smile to myself: “The dishes can wait, it’s not the end of the world”!
{www.crazyspeedylove.com}
We are big entertainers and love having everyone around…BUT we live in a 3 bedroom (but lets be honest 1bedroom + 2 half size bedrooms – workers cottage! – with no cupboards or wardrobes!) home. It was perfect when my hubby and I purchased it 8yrs ago, but add 3 extra boys into the mix at a very destructive ago (5yr and twins 3yrs) – we live in a pigsty will toys to the ceiling and everything we own slung from one end to the other….since we are building next year I have just let my anal cleaning and houseproud-self go. Hence all our entertaining is now done elsewhere until I get my new beautiful home…(and my kids will be nailed to each room as they enter each room so no destroying allowed!) xx
It is funny how we all go through the same stages at the same time! I feel like I am drowning in assignments at the moment – ahh but like you said, just keep swimming, this too will pass :)
Hope your Friday is ace :)
Exactly right – just keep swimming. And you have to sing it in Dori’s voice. ;)
I know this is an old post but boy did I need to read it – thanks a million – it’s us to a big capital T!