Feeling Overwhelmed? Tired?

I had the boys home with me yesterday….and here’s what we all accomplished:
· Boys got up early – too early.
· Maddox fell off the chair in the kitchen – and he fell hard.
· Doorbell rang and freaked the dog out – and she got in big trouble.
· While getting mad at the dog, Maddox fell again and Joey opened the garage door.
· While opening the garage door, Joey’s fingers were shut in the door.
· The delivery man opened the door to find Maddox crying and crawling up my leg, Joey holding his fingers screaming and wanting me to hold him, and a dog barking its head off.
· Put a pork roast in the crockpot.
· Loaded the kids in the car to take Joey to school.
· Dropped off Joey at school and saw his teacher. She told me Joey was a wonderful listener, and then followed it with this: “His problem is remembering.” I don’t know what that means but I do know I wanted to drop-kick her.
· Went home and put Maddox down for a nap
· While Maddox napped, I cleaned out our refrigerator. I found Maddox’s dinosaur toothbrush next to the mustard and one bite taken out of an expensive Honeycrisp apple. It could be linked to either of my apple-loving boys.
· I cleaned the kitchen ceiling fan. Gross.
· I scrubbed my microwave inside and out to try to brighten it. It seems to have turned a light shade of yellow. That could be traced to the yummy candles I like to burn underneath it.
· Worked on a Halloween card for a cousin.
· Started laundry.
· Maddox woke up and we went and picked up Joey.
· Joey’s whole face lit up when he saw me waiting for him in the hallway. He showed me his classwork – a rainbow.
· Daddy came home for lunch and realized how peaceful lunch at his office would have been….
· Did more laundry while the boys played in the basement.
· Walked to the park and the boys played and played and played.
· Got home and played outside and I visited with my friend Georgia and reassured her that her new job is going to be fabulous and to not look back.
· Put the boys down for a nap.
· Did more laundry – in peace.
· Took a much-needed shower!
· Did a little Vital work and a little personal work on the computer.
· Called my husband to see if he wanted to go to a movie if his parents would watch the kids. He was game.
· Maddox woke up- played with him – we took a cap on and off a thing of chapstick for 45 minutes and he was absolutely amazed each time. (I love the wonder of children).
· Joey woke up and I got both boys sippies and we played.
· Daddy got home after 5 and we quickly got ready to take the boys to Bobbi and Joe’s so we could grab a bite to eat and hit the movie.
· We saw “My Best Friend’s Girl” with Kate Hudson. Like I told Bobbi and Joe, I was glad I saw it with Joe and not with them or my own parents. But, it was cute, funny, and entertaining. There were definite laugh-out-loud moments.
· Picked up the boys, headed home and hit the pillows!

Yesterday afternoon, I watched a sad Oprah show. A mom was on the show, who had accidentally left her 2-year old daughter (sleeping) in her car while at work (a teacher) and she died from a heat stroke in 100-degree weather. The whole episode centered around overwhelmed mothers and many moms had called in and told their stories of complete exhaustion and sleep-deprivation, and situations that had resulted because of those feelings. The doctor on the show said 33 children died from heat while left in the car this year, and it most happens when there is a change in routine. He talked about how many accidents happen when parents are simply moving through their busy lives at mock speed, not paying attention to the little things. I don’t think there’s a mom out there who has never said to herself, “I am completely overwhelmed or completely exhausted.” And, if there is – than God bless her. I did not judge that poor mom for one second, and feel nothing but great empathy for her. I’m sad that others have judged this mom for what was a terrible accident that she will be punished for throughout her entire life. We live in a judgmental society where it’s easier to look at her and think “That could never be me and I can’t believe anyone could do that” than to admit “That could have been me – or my best friend – or my sister.” As moms, we have enough on our plates that to spend our time judging each other’s parenting skills seems wasteful. She said that she and her husband re-play that day in their heads constantly, what they could have done, should have done, and how they can’t go back no matter how hard they think it through. Obviously, this woman isn’t alone – 33-plus moms and dads did the same thing this year. Parenting is a big responsibility and yes, we are 100% responsible for the health and lives of our children – but it’s hard work and we need each other and we need to slow down. Out of my whole list of what I did on Tuesday when I had the kids home, my favorite moment was when Maddox and I sat in the recliner together with the chapstick. Why? Because I was totally in the moment with him – totally present – not a thought of laundry, or bills, or mail, or chores. And, sometimes we all need a reminder like this mom shared with us. Here are some of the tips moms and doctors gave on the show to help prevent accidents like this:
· Slow down. Think. Be in the moment with your kids.
· Talk to your kids in the car – have a conversation with them.
· When you change routines with your husband, check on him/her and make sure everything went as planned.
· Ask for help. Seek your spouse’s help first, and then ask others for help.
· If you can get someone to help so you can catch up on sleep, do it. Don’t consume yourself with everything else on your list – you need your sleep.
· Don’t ever leave your child in the car unattended – EVER. Whether you’re picking up drycleaning, paying for gas, running in a bill – making a pattern of doing this can set you up for an accident later. If they are sleeping, you must wake them up. Period. End of story.
· Ask yourself daily “How is my state of mind today? How am I doing?” Take stock of your own attitude and self.
· There is no such thing as multi-tasking. Do one thing at a time and pay attention to that one thing. (Easier said than done, I know, but worth a try)
· Take time for yourself. Find 20-30 minutes each day to plan for your day – maybe it’s at the end of the day or before the kids get up but plan your day and think things through before the craziness hits the household.
· Don’t be ashamed of being overwhelmed –admit it, get help and make changes in your life to address it.

I gave my kids an extra squeeze after this episode and thanked the Lord for the blessings I have received. And, I asked for help in slowing down my life. Clearly, it’s worth it.