Working Domestic Goddess-in-the-Making - by Nicky 4

Recalibrating Life

February 5th 2010 03:43

I was so optimistic when I started 2010. I had big goals and plans. After a little over a month I think I already burned half the fuel in my gas tank.

I work full-time as one of the administrators of the College. I also teach one subject. I am enrolled in two doctoral classes. I am a mother of a pre-schooler and a toddler. I am a wife. I think my plate is pretty much loaded and I still have sidings of several other activities.

So as to be expected, I dropped some of the balls I've been trying to juggle. A conference paper was submitted a week-and-a-half past the deadline. The office budget proposal has been left til the last minute to plan and discuss with the rest of the team. And possibly the worst thing, three days of not seeing my 1-year-old daughter awake! I'd leave she'd be asleep and when I get home she'd already be asleep.

STOP!!!

My head is spinning with all these things that need to be addressed. I don't feel like a Goddess-in-the-Making...I'm just stuck in the Working part.

So I asked my boss at work (because husband is the boss at home) for a leave day so I can spend time with my girls and so I can just recalibrate my life, get a grip and focus on what needs to be done. I started with playing with my toddler before she went down for her morning nap and then I spent the rest of the morning reading the blogs of the most creative moms ever. Ok, so they're stay at home mothers living in countries where all sorts of materials and ingredients are readily available, homeschooling their children, but I still get a lot out of their experiences.

I particularly like one blog that has a theme for at least one posting made on a particular day (i.e., Work-In-Progress Wednesday, Gratitude Friday). I think that sort of thing is doable in the home or even in the office.

Below are some other blogs I look at that help me in recalibrating my life:

SouleMama
lady i swear by all flowers
waldorf mama
Sugar In My Bowl
Color Me Katie -- this one brings color to my day and reminds me to be a kid whenever I can.

How about you? How do you keep things in balance? I'd love to know.

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New Year Parenting Resolutions

January 13th 2010 09:19

As with all aspects of my life, being a parent in 2009 was tough.

My eldest daughter was really difficult and was starting to flex her independence muscles and wouldn't listen to me...no matter how much I yelled and cried. And so, much to my shame, there are times we would resort to spanking.

The younger daughter was...well...a baby. She still did not sleep through the night and would wake up at least twice to feed. There were days I would be so exhausted from waking up to feed her that I would just cry.

But thank God 2009 is over...it's a New Year! And with the new year comes a list of promises to be a better parent. Inspired by Baby Center's article, these are my 2010 Parenting Resolutions:

Make family rituals for the different seasons of our life like the start and end of the school year, summer, bedtime, and because we're Catholic, Easter, Christmas and All Saints' Day rituals are a must.

Less TV for the kids...and for me.

Read more.

Schedule weekly dates with each kid.

Instill the habit of eating right and exercising.

Here's to a great 2010 everyone!

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Me First So I Can Take Care Of Them

December 14th 2009 10:59

I recently read a quote about caring for others above all else, and in the process we take care of ourselves. This got me thinking to the reality I face as a wife and mother. Admittedly the ideal, fairy-tale scenario is that I am able to care for my husband and children every day, every hour, whenever and wherever I am needed. But then, I think, what happens to me?

I've seen so many wives and mothers, myself included, just let themselves go because family took priority. Or because, like in my case, work and family took priority and caring for myself took a backseat. You know the instructions they give on airplanes? About the oxygen mask in case of an emergency? You're supposed to put it on yourself first before you assist any child or companion. I guess that's the way things should be when one is a wife and mother (a working one, at that).

My wake-up call came last week. I realized I became so heavy that I couldn't really enjoy my children. I was always so tired...and lifeless...and all I wanted to do was to sleep and eat and I gained so much weight and I don't feel good about myself anymore. And I am sure my kids can see this and know how unhappy I am.

Well, it's time to take charge and take care of me first...so that I can take care of my family.

So I've decided to start running...and joining marathons/fun runs to make sure that I stick to my running (because the one thing I have is pride and if I say I'm going to do something then for sure I'm going to do it even if I fall flat on my face getting it done...hehehe...).

My first run was last December 6 and I was not prepared! You can read about it here. So of course no I'm determined to be ready for my next run which is scheduled for February. To get myself in shape I'm using the Couch-to-5k Running Plan and I really really hope it works. I'll keep you guys posted.

So here's what I hope happens: (1) I get myself in shape for a 5k and run it in less than an hour; (2) I shed at least 10lbs in the process; and (3) I get back some energy to be a better mom and wife to my kids and husband.

Wish me luck! Or better yet, join me!

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The Start of Working Domestic Godessdom

December 11th 2009 11:55

Is there such a state? Can I have everything organized, my home clutter-free, my children nurtured into creative individuals, without first going out of my mind?

Married to J for 6 years. Mother to I for 5 years and to S for a year. Living in the unit we are in since the day we brought I home from the hospital. But until now I still can't seem to get the hang of this homemaker, wife, and mother thing.

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