I love when random people in my life say this to me! It makes me feel so good about myself that with all my imperfections I can still give off the impression of “doing it all.” It’s no secret that I don’t “do it all” and take plenty of shortcuts along the way, but when people recognize how hard it is to be a working mom, it makes me happy inside.
So, when people ask me how it all gets done, these are the three pieces of advice I give:
1. Routine, routine, routine: Having a routine minimizes surprises and ensures that everything that needs to get done, actually gets done.
2. Freezer cooking (KOAMC), menu planning, and stockpiling: Forgot to make dinner? Have to cook for Shabbos? No worries, we always have enough in the house to get by. Might not be our first choice in meals, but it will be good enough and no one will go hungry.
3. Chill out: Not everything has to be perfect… having piles of laundry and dirty dishes in the sink are not the end of the world- they can always wait until tomorrow.
What advice would you give to someone who asks you, “how do you do it?”
Until next time,
Shaindy
I struggle as a working mum of four and agree shortcuts and preparation are key but in addition I feel acceptance of the status quo is so important. Having young kids is so draining – the mess the arguments feeding bathing bed time extra curriculars etc! So many people think I am “doing it all” but inside I feel that if they could really see how I struggle they wouldn’t think it. Life is a juggle and some times we have to put one or some balls down and keep juggling the rest other times we just drop them all and just have to accept – gam zu le tova!
Wishing u a shana tova umetuka
I completely agree!