I don’t have enough hands.
Evolution CAN NOT be real. If it was, mother’s would have more hands.
“Lord, if you could just miraculously grow two more arms and hands from my body that would be amazing. I just need more hands to care for my children at this moment. Why didn’t you make mothers with more hands?”
I literally prayed this out loud the other day as I was trying to put my four month old, Tilly, down for a nap whilst my two year old, Jason, needed to hold my hands while he pooped. Yes, I said it. He likes to hold mine or my husband's hands while he poops! (He may die in ten years time when he finds out I put this story online.)
That evening at bedtime Jase had slipped and hit his lip on our coffee table and I truly thought he would need stitches at first. Meanwhile, Tilly was screaming her little, but mighty, overtired head off because I put her in the swing to tend to her wild and crazy brother.
We need more hands, don’t we?
Okay, one more thing. This actually was happening every night until I finally said, enough was enough. Tilly’s bed time was before Jase’s and Jase was not having it. This particular night, though I had placed him in front of the TV and given him trains to play with and an activity book, he barged into the room 7 times before I decided to switch around bedtime.
Okay, now this applies to anyone who is a parent… Not just mothers. How many times do you find yourself juggling several things at once, being forced to stretch your capacity once again, and pouring out quicker than you can be filled up? For me, I find myself at this breaking point and under the pressure of responsibility and tasks at least once a month, if not more. I end up a burnt out mess crying to my husband about how I never get time to myself.
I realize I totally need to change this. I need to figure out a daily routine for myself and my children. I need to set aside time for myself at least once a week. I need to set aside time for date night. The list goes on, which in turn adds to the stress of not having enough time in a day.
So, let’s take it one step at a time. I’ll share what I’m going to change and in the comments tell me what you are going to do!
Figure out a good and consistent bedtime routine.
Set aside 1 hour a week for me to do something I enjoy. (i.e. read, take a bath, go on a walk, ride my bike)
Pick a night that is untouchable for a date night and both be intentional about the time spent together.
Here is the bedtime routine I have set out. Some nights may be different if Dan is working but I will still try to follow it as closely as possible. This is what I will do if Dan isn’t there. If he is, he can jump in and help out wherever he can (typically with Jase).
5 pm - Bottle for Tilly
5:15 pm - Put her in the swing while Jase and I eat dinner
5:30 pm - Both kids take a bath
5:45 pm - Get Tilly dressed and ready for bed in the bathroom while Jase plays in the bath
6 pm - Put Tilly on her play mat while I help Jase get ready for bed
6:15 pm - While Jase is occupied with an episode of Paw Patrol on the tablet in his bed, I’ll sing, pray and get Tilly to sleep
6:30 pm - Say prayers and goodnight kisses with Jase
I hope this has brought you some laughter, comfort, motivation and hope. Know that you are not alone and if you would like help to build your day to day schedule, that's part of my job!
One last thing- Don’t forget to share this with a friend who has 1 or more children!
