Sometimes I feel like I can do it all. I can take care of my baby, work full time, spend time with my husband, cook a healthy meal, clean my house, do all the laundry, and devote time to blogging. But let’s be real….that hardly ever happens. That’s not real life around here. Real life is barely managing to brush my teeth each day, hunting for the checkbook I accidentally might have thrown in the trash, and wearing mis-matched shoes without realizing it.
Some days are grumpy. Some days are pure bliss. Either way I can’t do it all. I don’t always have my act together. I put too much pressure on myself to do everything. To be the best. It’s silly really.
Let’s be honest….we all feel the same way. And in fact, if you have it all together all the time, that’s great. But I don’t really want to read your blog. Because I don’t think that’s real life. I want something real. And that’s what I try to bring to this blog every day. Some good, some not-so-good.
But always real.
And the truth is, it really doesn’t matter if my house is spotless and the meals I cook are magazine worthy. Or that my makeup is flawless.
My value isn’t placed on those things. There’s one little person in my life who could care less if my hair looks perfect or I burned dinner. He just wants his mama. Not a mama that is too busy to read a book because she has to vacuum or fold laundry. He wants a mama that will make goofy faces at him while he eats and sings songs and place chase.
I hope he always knows how much I love him. How I can’t stop kissing his cheeks, or rubbing his fuzzy little head. How I can’t get enough of his chubby little hand in mine.
That’s my most important job. Wouldn’t you agree?
Amen!
So true! As women we place too much pressure on ourselves and as long as we're doing our best and our kids are happy that's what counts. This post was great, such a good reminder π
You shouldn't read my blog… Because I'm TOTALLY perfect.
At least my 18 month old seems to think so.
Absolutely! I know I put too much pressure on myself sometimes to do it all in one day. But like you said, that's not real life. Real life is having a sink full of dirty dishes because I haven't had a chance to get to them, walking around the house with my daughter. The laundry always needs folding. My hair is often in a ponytail. I wouldn't have it any other way!
I love this! I needed to read this, I have really been getting down on myself because I cannot do everything I need or want to! Thanks for sharing!
I completely agree with you! Way to go for realizing this. Thanks for sharing.
Oh, Julie! As soon as I found your blog, I knew that I could do all of it. Why? Because you could! Never stop doing this! I enjoy reading your posts. Your stories. Your life. Great job, Julie. Keep it going.
So true.
Your doing a wonderful job because it's very apparent your little boy loves you very much.
Agreed!! π Far from perfect around here, but everyone is healthy, happy, and thriving.. all that matters!
Definitely the most important! I recently read two write-ups that stuck with me. One was stop saying the words hurry up all the time, and the other was be in the moment. Pretty similar concepts, but I loved them so much. Something I really want to keep in mind with my daughter. And, I love this post about not striving to be perfect. Another thing to have on repeat in my mind.
Yes. Yes. Yes. Agree. Agree. Agree. I have been struggling with this since having our son – I kept feeling like I just wasn't good enough. I finally realized that I just couldn't be 100% in every area. And being a mom is the one area that I want to be 100% in. So, that's where I put most of my time and effort. And I know I'll never regret it. After all, no matter how much time and love we lavish on our kids, one day we will just wish we could have done more. What we won't wish? That we scrubbed the floors more. Or dusted more.
I love your blog and I love this post!! Sometimes it's so hard to just let go and let life happen, but every time I look at my little guy it gets a little bit easier to do just that. I want to soak it all in when it comes to him!!
i hear you. I dropped off my 4 month old at daycare and was at work for 2 hrs before realizing my pants zipper had been down the entire time!
I just wrote a post about this earlier this week…I think we all struggle with doing it "all" but in the end, family is what matters! I have stopped reading blogs that make me feel like the worst mother/wife/homemaker in the world! Haha…I much more prefer "real" blogs and I love when I catch a glimpse of unfolded laundry in the background of someone's picture! π Haha!! xo
What a little cutie! He's so lucky to have you as a mama! Way to go for keepin it real. I don't have a baby yet, and I have a hard enough time balancing work, the house, errands, workouts, etc… so I think you are doing fantastic!
Preach it Momma! True words right there π
Thanks for making us all feel normal!
xx
Megan
IG: megawat
http://hellonewlywedlife.blogspot.com/
most certainly! that's one reason i love that my wife is a SAHM, so she can be there for the young-uns! π
Great post! What kind of sippy cup is that in the pic?
I agree 100%. I to am way too hard on myself to make sure everythng is done and have been beating myself up about time management. But when its all said and done its the little loves in our lives that matter most. Thank you for reminding us that we are not perfect!!!
Julie doing it all is for your 20s your in your 30s now! Your 30s are for doing what's really important and your nailed what those things are in your blog! Let go of expectations and just do what you can and what you really want and the rest just doesn't matter! Hugs to you and your sweet little man!
I'm glad the boy is feeling better but I also hope you get some time for you. Holla if you need help.
Brought me to tears!! I'm feeling a little convicted! I am trying to get my new shop up and running and have been dedicating a lot of time to "networking". I need to slow down and play with my girl more.
Thanks for being real.
Props.
Megan
Julie, I think you have 2 guys that just want to be with you and neither care how your hair looks or what's for dinner. Allow yourself enjoy your blessings
Oh I hear ya!! I've given up makeup and making dinner. Hubs and I have come to the conclusion we just don't like to cook. Only took us 7 years to figure that out. Isn't it great to have 2 guys who couldnt care less? π
Agree! I feel a lot of guilt on the days when I've focused a lot of my energy on things that don't directly involve Owen (i.e. making phone calls, running errands, folding laundry, fixing dinner) — but the truth is, I need to do those things to keep us all fed and clothed. My appearance, blogging, blog reading and responding to emails are all things that can wait until he's asleep though. Like tonight, I blew off making dinner and ordered a pizza so I could play with Owen instead of occupying him with some toy while I chopped veggies.
You're a great mom Julie and I love your blog because I know you're real π
Couldn't agree more Mama!!!! And it is completely apparent that you are one GREAT Mama, Julie!!!
I don't have children or anything but I really love the high chair you guys have got. Ingenius, doesn't take up much space, practical.. Love it than the standard high chairs that everyone has. π
Absolutely!
SO perfect and SO true!