The hubs gets home from a business trip today. When he leaves, I don’t have to cook, do the afternoon tidy, or make the bed. (You really thought I make the bed when he’s here? Funny.) I have a to-do list and I’m not afraid to use it.
I have plenty of time. In theory.
I used to work 4 days a week back when we were DINKs. My 1 day off, I cleaned the house, grocery shopped, ran all my errands and had a nice meal waiting on the hubs when he got home from work.
And now I can’t do in a week what I used to do in that day.
I started work on a LarryBoy costume that I apparently promised to make. (My sweet 4 year old forgets nothing.) I wrestled on the floor with fabric and plastic bowls, a la super suction ears. I ended up putting it away while still in progress yesterday to get the boys dinner. I had to fight back the tears when Coop’s excited voice called out “Mom, did you finish my costume yet?”
I hadn’t finished it.
Just like those other 6 things on my to-do list, like organizing the shoe closet and decorating for fall, which I was more focused on than costume making.
Some days, I feel productive. But most days, I think I’m farthest from it.
And yesterday, I realized, It’s my fault.
It’s not because I’m a Mom and I have needy kids that keep me busy.
It’s not because I don’t have a housekeeper and I do all the cleaning myself.
It’s because my idea of productivity has been skewed.
Yesterday was a productive day.
We played a new Wii game that made Cooper scream, he was so happy. We all 3 danced to the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse theme song. (Over and over and over) I fed my kids healthy meals. I made part of a LarryBoy costume. We picked out pumpkins for the front porch. I rocked my baby to sleep for both naps and bedtime. I snuggled with my big boy before he dozed off for the night. Then I stayed up until 3am making a Shutterfly album of Callan’s first 6 months. And I had fun sitting in the quiet, smiling at the memories those pictures held.
Productive. Not necessarily in a visible way, but productive nonetheless.
I want my house to be tidy and relaxing. I want to do it all. But my house is clean and baby proof and no one’s getting hurt by the 7 baskets of laundry in my room.
I’ve decided it’s no longer about how clean the house is or if the laundry is folded.
It’s about my family. It’s about the creating the moments my kids are going to look back on and remember. And that? Is productive.
Thank you for this post! This is exactly what I needed to read today. We all need to slow down a little and live in the moment a little more. Life goes by so fast. We need to slow it down, breath & enjoy. Thanks!
LOVE! I feel the same way lately. Boy how my thoughts have changed! Have a good weekend!
Awww you are making me all misty-eyed on a Friday morning! I need reminders of this often.
I was just thinking about it this morning, as I cleaned up dead flower petals off our floor – though it was more related to spending money than keeping tidy. I've been on a huge spending binge lately, and for some reason, cleaning up petals made me realize that "things" aren't important – memories and time spent with family is what really makes us all happy. (though, it doesn't hurt to look cute in all those memories 😉 ).
Anyway, thank you for another much -needed reality check/reminder!
Amen sister! Hope you guys have a good weekend.
Love this Molls!
Amen, sista! Amen!
I cannot agree with you anymore 🙂 Perfect post!
I love this post! It is completely spot on. 🙂 My hubby returns from a business trip today too. Woohoo!
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That's an awesome perspective! Having two year old twins, being pregnant and working full time I feel like at the end of the workday I am so useless and I feel intense guilt about it all the time. I always intend on doing more than I do, then I actually don't. Maybe I just need to play with my kids and not sweat the small stuff!
Love this! This is something I am a starting to experience now that my son is 7 months old. I know it is only going to get worse. This post helped me find solace in the whole situation!! It's not that we're not being productive…it's just a different kind of productive. I love it!
Thanks, Molly!
What a great post! Loved it! As a mother of a 3 month old and a 2 year old this was something
I needed to read. Thank you!
Amen, sista! I like a tidy house, too, and generally it is. But like you said, clean, baby-proof, with a bit of unfolded laundry or dusting that didn't get done this week is OK when it's sacrificed for family time! Loved this!
I have to remind myself of this each day. Thanks for sharing!
Awesome post, my friend!! You are so right!!
Very right Moll. You are a wonderful wife, mother and person. I love you!
Amen!!! I just reminded myself of that last night when I was thinking that I hadn't accomplished anything all day!
this is just the plain truth … thank you for the reminder Molly! you're words hit home ♥ loves to you!
You got to that realization quicker than I did 🙂 It is so hard to adjust our definition of productive isn't it?
Question, what does DINK's stand for? Have never seen this acronym before.
I found you from another blog and this post was a great read for me today! It is definitely a great reminder to treasure those moments you have and not worry about silly stuff like laundry and cooking!