The "Mom" Card

by littledb | More from this Blogger

So what's your excuse? Do you ever pull the "mom" card? "I didn't have time to make those calls! I was so busy running Billy around and then he was clingy when we were at home! I totally forgot!" Actually, I did do this recently. I wrote something down, but on a scratch piece of paper that got lost. Then it slipped my mind for a few weeks!

Being a mom, and a work from home mom at that, is hard. We have a ton of wonderful reasons to not get things done. I have two, three if you count my husband. There are many times I guiltily pull this card. There are times where I legitimately use this card. But there are times when I do use it as an excuse out of pure lack of organization on my own part.

When you are home you feel like you should be at your child's beck and call, play with them constantly, fulfill their every need and keep an immaculate home. The truth is somewhere in the middle. Yes, you need to be there for your child, play with them and help them, but you are not required to be their slave. In fact, they will never learn independence if we become their personal slave.

When I went for my first Discovery Toys trip, I took this card and locked it up. I always found time to do what I needed to do, and guess what? I earned that trip and President's Club! The truth is, we have the time to do things we want to, we just often let our mind get clouded or side-tracked.

If you do not want to get stuck using the card, prioritize what is important to you and only agree to doing things that lead to results for your end goals, or because you want to.

The best way to avoid this feeling of being overwhelmed is to keep lists and schedule your day. I notice that on the days where I am prepared, I get more accomplished then on the days I just wake up and sluggishly cuddle on the couch for snuggle time with my Billy monster.

In your scheduling, include: • Cleaning a little each day • Playtime • Errands (group them by location) • Phone calls • Work time • Dinner • Laundry • And anything else that needs to be done

Then keep that "mom" card tucked away for those days when you just feel a need to blow off everything and be 100% mom.

Learn more about littledb

Debbie is a work at home mom to two active boys. She is the owner of http://www.passiontosuccess.com, a website that offers tools , information, job listings and a message board to help you succeed.

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