The other day, a sweet mom in Harrisburg asked me, “What does your day look like?” In other words, “HOW DO YOU GET IT ALL DONE?” I love this question, because it allows me to be totally transparent with whomever I’m talking to, and hopefully, speak a little freedom at the same time.
Basically, I have two answers for that particular Busy Mom FAQ:
1) I have a book (and a workshop on CD) about that called, The Busy Homeschool Mom’s Guide to Daylight! Really, you should check it out … it’s full of ideas and encouragement for busy moms like you! 🙂
2) While there are many practical tips for getting things done, I hesitate to tell you how I do it ALL. Why? Because the reality is that I don’t do “it all.” Not even close. No one does.
I am a recovering perfectionist. “Type A” at my core. It’s easy for me to judge the inside of my life by the outside of someone else’s. I see “that mom” who’s blogging and homeschooling and pinning her latest frugal fashion finds and I think, “What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I be like that?” Can you relate?
If you can, be encouraged, because no one is doing it all. They’re really not. Pictures only tell a nano-second of the real story; the rest goes unseen—and the rest of the story is this: Pinterest Perfect Mom isn’t getting it all done either, because she doesn’t exist.
Of course, it’s important to get things done—but how these things get done will look different in each family, each year, each season, and likely even for each child. And that’s okay. You don’t have to try and be SuperMom. You just need to be surrendered.
Only God knows exactly the plans He has for you – and the best way to find out what that plan is… is to listen.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
Don’t you love that? I do, because it means I’m free to seek God’s heart for my family—free to stop comparing my life to that woman I think is “super mom” and free to be all that God has created me to be.
Are you listening to that “still, small voice?” It’s so hard to be still, but it is a requirement if we’re going to hear from God in this bustling, busy world.
Shhh. He’s still speaking.
Thank you:-) I have been Type A for a long time… used to work in the Tech Industry and I understood my computer a lot better than my co-workers. But God has been transforming me over the last 10 years towards Type B.
But I still get caught up in what I am doing, and the ideas start flowing, and I have troubles listening….
I can relate! Keep working on it. I will too! 🙂
I am so delighted to hear of the Lord freeing other “type A” homeschoolers from the enemy’s grip! The Lord’s mercies are new every morning thank goodness…honestly just when I learn to surrender one area, a new one rears its ugly head. I think you are right in encouraging women to take honest looks inside.I pray that we can seek Him first and be obedient to Him first in all things. There is no “perfect”, we are still in need of Him even on those days where we think we have it all together.
Yes, Jodie! I’m that “Type A” but God’s not finished with me yet. 🙂
I’m struggling to renew my schedule into something realistic — creating white space and trying to fit in time to do what I need for me. So I’m wondering…. how much time do you put into your blog everyday if I may ask?
Hi Carol! Thanks for posting. Right now, I’m on the road and so my blog is really mostly being managed by my assistant. However, I do quite a bit of writing and truly? I don’t have a perfect plan—but I do operate from a set of priorities. I try not to do any work until I know I’ve done what I need to do at home 🙂 so that means I’ve completed bookkeeping,housework, kid’s stuff, etc.. After my home is in order, I turn my attention to my writing or other Internet-related work. I usually work for a few hours each evening after the kids are in bed and have stolen some hours here and there at a local coffee shop whenever I can work it out. Sometimes, just being alone makes all the difference … I can think more clearly when I’m not in “mom” mode. Carve out the time— but don’t lose sight of what really matters! You’ve got this. 🙂
I’ve never thought of myself as type A. Married into a family of that type and teach at a church school whose leadership is that type. But for as long as I can remember I’ve been enslaved to the seeming perfection of type A people and struggled with feeling inadequate when I couldn’t keep up/ measure up to them. It’s good to know that perfectionists aren’t really perfect and the real truth is, they are not the mark I’m aiming for. To be like Jesus is my mark. One I fail at, but am encouraged to know His mercies are new every morning! 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
I am also a perfectionist. I think my house should always be clean (yes even with a 2 year old in the house), lawn taken care of, family should be well presented, spend time with the Lord, home cooked healthy meals majority of the time, trying to live a healthy lifestyle, home school my kids, never lose my temper, and the list goes on. And of course, I fall short on my huge list of how I should be the “supermom.” I have come a long ways from accepting my imperfections but still have a long ways to go. I think most moms, perfectionist or not, seem to struggle with this issue. We need to keep reminding ourself and other moms that the perfect mom doesn’t exist. Thanks for the great article! 🙂
You are very right in this. I have to keep reminding myself of this all the time. That I am to do what He has call ME to do, not what He has called everyone else to do as well. 🙂
Right on, Christina! Be who HE wants you to be 🙂