New Territory for a Working Mom

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Balancing Kids, Work and Everything Else

Ok, so over the last couple weeks my SuperMom skills have really been put to the test. My husband came down with Mono (yikes!) and my toddler had back to back colds resulting in an ear infection. I actually got pretty sick too, but on the day I took off from work I ended up having to care for very sick husband and toddler, and needless to say, I didn't get the rest I needed. I barreled through- you do what you gotta do- but I'm seriously running on empty.

I'm a new mom and I'm recently back to work so this is all new territory for me. I had to miss a couple days of work, the dishes are piled up, so is the laundry, the refridgerator is empty, everything is a mess and I just feel sooooooo overwhelmed. Yesterday I lost my patience and I feel so bad about it. It's not my husband's fault he has Mono, and it's not my daughter's fault that she's 15 months and throws food at the walls.

My question is, how do parents do this without losing their minds??? Seriously. I appreciate any and all suggestions.

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Parent Replies to "New Territory for a Working Mom"

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I personally thank God for giving me everything that I have; meaning I always remember what I did not have and what I accomplished by being a wife and mother.

Hi asolomon,

Kudos to you! I'm starting to really get the hang of it and learning to have a sense of humor and not worry so much. Thanks for your words of encouragment!

WOW, I am a single parent of three, 7, 12, & 14. You really have to have a sense of humor and not worry about the mess around you. Your current situation sounds like my everyday routine. Someone is always sick or needs more attention than the other. The sad part is when men get sick they become infants. Kudos to ya!!

I encourage a sense of humor, as hard as that can be. You may be sick, but this too shall pass (as long as you don't get mono too!).

Food can be ordered in--either directly or with a service. Grocery stores deliver for a small fee, and when you're sick, it's well worth it.

Laundry and messes can either wait to be cleaned up later (just don't plan a dinner party in the meantime), or call in the grandparents, or bring in a mommy's helper/babysitter for a few hours. A teen from the neighborhood or a friend's high schooler will keep a listen out for the baby while you take a much needed nap.

I always figured we lost our minds when we agreed to become parents in the first place. At least it helps at my house. :)

Hope you feel better.

I recommend SuperMom check out www.messies.com and author and founder Sandra Felton. She has a lot of advice and encouragement for those feeling overwhelmed.

Messiness has an underlying emotional root, and feeling overwhelmed would definitly qualify as emotional.

She is very much into "baby steps" and addressing issues one at a time. The solution involves getting rid of clutter, stuff and emotional and setting up routines. It involves evaluating yourself and sometimes letting some lesser importing thing go, at least for this time in your life.

I recommend you check out www.half.com before you purchase books; they are usually available at much lower prices.

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