Mom to Mom
Hi! I'm Sarah Lena. I've been blogging since we formally referred to
them as "weblogs" and, if my parents aren't reading this, I'll admit
that I actually started with role-playing fan-fiction on community
boards back in the early 90s, writing things that I would certainly KILL
my children for coming up with now. I'm a stepmom to an 11 year old
boy, a mom to a four year old boy, and a wife to a forty year old boy.
Suffice it to say: I own all of the ovaries in my house.
I reside in what we call the Rocket City of Huntsville, Alabama. We're probably most famously-known for having the US Space and Rocket Center, and most recently, Antoine Dodson. Yep. Hide yo kids, hide yo wife? That's my hood! I know. I can FEEL your pride on my side of the screen.
But living in a Rocket City means that I, too, am involved in said rockets. BWAHAHAHA, no, wait, don't get to thinking that I'm an engineer or anything fancy like that - I call myself an "engineer translator". I wrangle engineers, dumbing down their layouts and drawings and thoughts and stuff into layman's terms. I also moonlight as a freelance proposal writer and coordinator. Oh, and my husband and I are both veterans of local theatre, so we work with local production companies. Oh, and I also do a lot of voiceover work regionally.
I did mention the kids, right? I feel like I'm forgetting something.
Anyway,
the point is this: my life is a lot about finding the perfect balance
between work and home life. I should rephrase: my life is a lot about searching for
the perfect balance between work and home life. I can't say I've found
it. But I do hope to relay some tips and tricks that have worked with my
family - and dude, if you've got some? PLEASE THROW THEM AT ME.
(I say "dude" a lot. You've been warned.)
(Also, "y'all".)
In trying to figure out the right way to start, I finally decided I would pass along my personal mantra to you. During a particularly stressful proposal for a billion dollar government contract, I had a Vice President confide in me, "You're only human. It's okay to drop the ball every now and again. Just make sure you catch the eggs."
Ever since then, if something slides through the cracks - and something ALWAYS will! - I take a moment to breathe and decide: ball or egg? If it was just a ball? Life continues on. Lessons are learned, steps taken, and we move forward. If it's an egg? Well, then maybe some bigger measures need to be observed.
But I think that's been the best advice I've ever been given. In balancing work, life, kids, family, pets, hobbies, and whatever else fills your day planner, it's okay to forgive yourself some mistakes.
Just make sure you catch the eggs.
What balls are you okay with dropping?
Replies
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thats cool!
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I love (and identify) with the part about being a wife to a 40 year old boy. I'm a wife to a 59 year old boy. Sometimes I think it's harder to take care of him than my 5 year old, lol.
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Great ball droppers! I do the same.
Quoting copperswifey:
That is great advice! The balls I let drop sometimes is not folding the laundry right away. One night I might not feel like cooking, so we will go out and get something. One day I might decide the house doesn't need to be spotless and just play with the kids and have some fun. I'll worry about cleaning the house the next day. Those are the things I will usually drop the ball on. :)
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Omg - dusting gets dropped all the time! lol
Quoting Bmat:
Preparing a balanced meal- I am willing to let this drop from time to time, also dusting the living room.
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Household chores can always sit on the back burner while I tend to my family's needs or just enjoy myself.
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Quoting alliesmom112:
I agree with previous posters. I am okayvwith dropping some activities and even friends but never familyI agree
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My balls have changed through out the yrs. I have had to drop some family due to issues, drop jobs due to health. But my immediate family has never been dropped. LOL! They are my life.
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Quoting iluv2read:
Household chores can always sit on the back burner while I tend to my family's needs or just enjoy myself.
Household chores definetly come after family!
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I agree.
Quoting Kmakksmom:
I'm okay with dropping friends sometimes over family. I would NEVER intentionally drop my family.
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Same here.
Quoting LancesMom:
My balls have changed through out the yrs. I have had to drop some family due to issues, drop jobs due to health. But my immediate family has never been dropped. LOL! They are my life.