Well, here goes an attempt to save some of my thoughts. I was never good at journals, baby books or even keeping a day timer. I cannot imagine why I would think that I could maintain a blog...but my intentions are good...as usual.
I am the queen of multi-tasking and get allot of satisfaction out of killing two birds with one stone. After all, when you're a working mom of three...the value of time becomes very evident. At stop lights, I try to go through the mail or clean the pop tart crumbs off the floor board. While seated on a bathroom break, I go through the newspapers and make a "throw away stack". You get the picture. I haven't figured out how to dry my hair while brushing my teeth, but that blow dryer stand that I see advertised on TV (while I'm ironing) really peaks my interest.
I was raised in a polite home with a solid work ethic. Tenacity was a virtue. "Where there's a will there's a way", "Can't never could", "Work before play", "Don't stop until you're done", these were daily comments made primarily by my father who rarely missed a day of work in 50 years. Excuses were not tolerated and perpetual motion during waking hours was expected. It isn't hard to trace the origin of my need to fill every moment with "something constructive" (another catch phrase from my childhood). As a child and young woman, my responsibilites were minimal, school work, and a few chores around the house. After I left home and was on my own in college, there were more, but still manageable. Now is an entirely different story and reveals one small problem with this mindset...IT'S IMPOSSIBLE. Raising three kids, working full time, and keeping up a home can create a "to do" list that would send Santa Claus into a tail spin. So....I give myself a break. Some things will have to wait...I'm tired. I'll just rest a while, relax. Sounds like a plan, huh? You'd think so, but when your value has been so associated with work (accomplishments), resting/relaxing is simply an opportunity for a visit from the GUILT MONSTER! That little voice in my head saying "Why are you sitting there watching TV when you could be cleaning the bathrooms, folding laundry, washing dishes, writing Thank You notes, mending clothes, painting the house, cooking meals to freeze for later, working on your masters degree, ya da ya da ya da."
Don't get me wrong, of all of the traits that parents instill in their children, a good work ethic goes a long way in building an independant adult. However, with my children, I hope that I can balance the solid work ethic with a healthy play ethic...a "give yourself a break" ethic. If nothing else...maybe it will save them money on antacids.
