My Monday is what I imagine is like most peoples' Saturday. I have a minute (maybe just one) to breathe, focus on getting things done for the house and organized, and also to take care of myself. I try to get in a workout, a shower, the grocery store, cooking dinner, errands, getting some work done, and do it all while the kids are at camp and school. I know I should feel grateful for the time that I have to do all this stuff because the kids are out of the house, but honestly, I just feel stressed trying to fit it all in, while also feeling guilty that my child was crying at drop off- again. Parenting young kids is hard. It feels like there is barely any downtime, and when there is, you feel like you have to do the million things on your to-do list -- planning your child's second birthday party, reaching out to your clients to schedule this week's sessions, buying things for the kids' bathrooms because your partner made an off-hand comment over the weekend about how "bare" their bathrooms looked and that we should make them look comfy and cozy (enter mom-guilt...again). I mean, seriously, why does it feel like it never ends?
I know, I know, I need to look on the bright side and write in my gratitude journal, right? At least, that's what I would tell my clients to do. OK - so here's what's in my "B.A.G" (brightest, accomplished, grateful) -- Brightest - Got time to weed the front and side yard for 15 minutes today so it doesn't look like an overgrown disaster -- only sort of like an overgrown mess, Accomplished a workout and a shower and grocery shopping and got dinner in the slowcooker, Grateful for the little snuggles I got from both my kids this morning and even one little kiss from my son. OK, so I have to admit - just typing that all out did make me feel better. It made me feel a tiny bit less stressed and a little more happy. Maybe it does work ;)
But now it's time to go pick up the kids and figure out what to make them for dinner (and here comes the stressed feeling again). Last night was the first time (ever) that my kids actually ate what we ate -- so I had to make just one thing for dinner and everyone was satisfied. It was like a whole new world. I have to figure out more ways to make that happen on a regular basis. One set of dishes, and one thing to think about! It was actually fantastic. I made a baked ziti with whole wheat penne, spinach, and a ground turkey pasta sauce. Veggies, protein, healthy carbs, healthy fat - done. And we even have some leftovers that I can warm up for lunch later in the week. Win, win, win! Maybe I can do it again tonight? Maybe, just maybe, the kids will try the slow cooker chicken that's already getting made? Fingers crossed...and out the door we go! Part 2 of the day is about to begin :)