My Running Greta Guest
Greta is the determined Mommy of 4 and runner of almost 500 miles- this year anyway! She hosts a fun ippp link-up each week, through her GFUNKIFIED blog, that pays homage to the funny, witty, sappy pictures we capture with our phones. Are you down with ippp? Yeah, you know me! I love this time of the month because my phone takes awful pictures but no one judges there; we just laugh and enjoy! As I mentioned earlier in the week, Greta is a brilliant Mother, blogger, runner and just all around amazing woman! I am beyond honored to have her as my guest today!
My to-do list is (literally) a mile and a half long right now. I thought February was bad, with all of the snow days and crappy weather, but right now? I’d love to go back. March is turning into something of a mess. And it’s only the second week.
As a mom, I’ve got a lot on my shoulders. No, I don’t work outside of the home, but I do cook the meals, change most of the diapers, pack all of the school lunches, set out all of the school clothes. I do all of the laundry, and most of the dishes. I take nearly all of the pictures. I plan all four of the kids’ birthday parties.
I don’t mind it, most of the time. But sometimes? The overwhelming crushing to-do list takes over my brain and I can’t focus on any one thing. It comes in waves, too. We’ll be rolling right along in our routine, doing the things we do every day. Then, all of the sudden, life is like BAM! BOOM! POW! GOTCHA!
I think it may have something to do with the birthday parties. As the sole planner of the parties, I tend to get stressed out during the whole process. A lot stressed out. How many people will show up? How much food do I need to make? What are the kids going to do? Will they all like painting a picture frame? Is it going to rain that day? What if everyone has other plans?
Also, big events and trips. Because I am also the main planner for those that involve me (alone or with the family), and I am the packer for at least five of the six of us.
And it just so happens that not only do we have a birthday party next week (for my youngest. Sniffle), but I am going to a blog conference in less than two weeks.
So yeah, I’m the mom with a few things going on, with a few extra things thrown on top. I’m kind of a hot mess right now.
What do you do when you find yourself ALL. STRESSED. OUT?
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Thank you for having me, Kerry! I hope you’re enjoying yourself!
No birthday parties is my solution
#MeanMom
Seriously, you’re superwoman! Just remember, you are doing your best. Things may not turn out perfectly, but it doesn’t matter. All will fall into place, you’ll see!
Thanks, Alison! I try to keep it all in balance, but sometimes it’s impossible. And birthday parties are just too big a part of my family…any chance to get my kids and their cousins together, I’m going to take. Yeah, I get totally stressed out. But I do it because it makes the kids happy. I just need to get through the next couple of weeks!
LOL! I usually run…however have been booted now and unable to since September so not so easy and hear you on the list! I always joke that if I ever died I would be the voice behind the video camera and it would be pretty hard to find a picture of me with my family!
I know! I’m trying to be better about getting in the picture. Because heck, if I’m planning the whole party, I want to see that I was there!
I’m in denial about all of this right now. I will be gone for a total of 10 days and I have to pack for myself for that long AND the kids for a week! Have I started??? Nope. And we have 2 birthdays in the midst of it all (including mine).
And I think us mothers need to make a pact to collectively chill out about the birthday parties. It’s fun but shouldn’t have to be stressful, you know?
xo see you soon!
Yay, see you soon, Elaine! I hate packing for everyone. Hate it. But, it’s another of our “duties”, right? My parties usually aren’t big to-dos, but I stress over them anyway. I pretty much only invited the bare minimum of family, though, so it’ll be a small group for once. Which helps.
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Why does it seem when it rains it pours? You absolutely do have a ton going on right now- but in the lull it’s nice to sit back and enjoy all that you have accomplished. Congrats again on LTYM! So happy for you!!
Thank you so much, Farrah! I hate that it pours. But, we survived.
Ahhhh I can feel your stress of planning birthday parties, all of the questions and worries! WHY is it so stressful? I feel the exact same way. I am a terrible host because I’m so worried about everything, that I just seem annoyed. But with only 2 littles, I can’t imagine double the planning, stressing, work and ultimately fun….. someone has fun in the end right??! RIGHT?!?!? hahaha
Exactly. I seem annoyed, too. But, I’ve been trying to be better about that and delegating tasks.
Greta, I sooooo get this, as I’m sure every mom out there does and just because we don’t work outside the home doesn’t mean we aren’t busy. I hope, that some quiet and sanity will return soon. Hang in there…
Thank you, Susi! Hopefully I’ll recover from the Dallas trip and get back to normal soon.
Wow! I can relate to so many of your worries. It is unreal how much pressure we put on ourselves.
It is bad, isn’t it?
I enlist my husband who becomes a virtual whipping boy for everything party related… trips to Publix, liquor store, back to Publix… furniture mover, handy man fix it all… and wine. Lots of wine. Good luck with the birthday parties- we have cheated the past three years and invited our friends, but now that Emma has started real school she will want her friends… not that excited…
Ugh…my husband disappears during the party, and complains before the party. Can I borrow your husband for the next one?