This blog post has been brewing for a while now. I have been anxious to get blogging again. But life gets busy and my little blog gets put at the bottom of the list. That is the thing about being a Mompreneur- the job of Mom always comes first.
So many things in my life seem to go to the bottom of the list when the unexpected happens. I'm not complaining. I love my life and have so much that I am grateful for. But I have watched myself put ME at the bottom of the list ever since having children.
I swore I would never do this. I thought I could avoid the pitfalls of all the moms I would watch on Oprah talking about trying to put themselves first. But gradually, in the past 3 years since first having Georgia, I have moved lower and lower down the TO-DO list of my life.
I think, like so many parents (this doesn't just happen to moms, by the way), I serve my family first. Its natural and actually comes from a good place in that I am one to serve others. In every part of my life, professionally and personally (and are the two actually separate?), I strive to be in service to others. And since staying at home I naturally became the parent that does more parenting, housework, planning, caregiving.
My husband is amazing. Let me just say that. Few people even know how hard he works. But ever since the day I met him he has worked harder than anyone I know. Taking care of his family and being a good employee. He is extremely supportive of me and my business adventures.
When I talk about taking care of myself, I mean time to exercise, see friends, be alone. What I would give for my 45 minute commute in the car to my office that I once had! And then arriving to work and talking to adults! And then the second that I think that I remember driving home from work and every day I passed a park and I would sob if I saw a mom walking with her child. The grass is always greener, right?
So I recently came to the conclusion that something's gotta give. Unlike my previous "perfectionist" self, I am starting to let the laundry pile up. There might be dust on a lampshade. Projects get post-poned. The kitchen is kept immaculate, however. I AM a germaphobe after all.
At the end of the day, I have come to accept that some things just won't be perfect. And perfect is kind of boring anyways. To add to that, I am less than perfect. I haven't returned to the elusive "pre-babies" weight (oh, and it is relatively easy after one, but something happens after two, just so you know). My hair isn't always done and I feel like I could always use a manicure (more to do with my confection profession, mind you).
Now that I have come to accept my less than perfect home and less than perfect self, it is easier to shift my priorities. Personal health and happiness is important to me for so many reasons. But the most important reason is my kids. I want to live a long, healthy life so that I can spend as much time with them as possible. I want to be here for them and be an example of healthy living.
I actually tell my 3 year old daughter, "choose to be happy" in an effort to teach her to change her mood. It really does come down to choice (bearing you are a safe, fed, sheltered human being). And choices about priorities are a parent's job. What I wish for my daughters to learn is how to make choices that take care of their own health and happiness AND allows them to be good to others. This is what I have learned so far. We will see how I do.
