Keeping up with my kids

I try not to label myself as a ‘busy mom’.  After all, all moms are busy. We raise our family, keep our home clean, cook meals, support our spouses and try to keep peace and order in our lives and homes. Add on the endless hours of working whether it be from home or elsewhere and there are just no hours left in the day. I know many moms look at the term “me time” as  funny concept. It seldom happens and when it does, we sleep. Or catch up on work. 

But you know what?

I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love having my family to take care of. I love making a difference in each one of their lives and having them make a huge impact in mine.

Sometimes though, it is hard to keep up. 

I have four kids aged 5- 19. One no longer lives at home and pretty much does her own thing. But she is still my little girl and I am always here for her. The other three have school, homework, friends, field trips and after school activities that keep the entire family busy. Our oldest son is a competitive athlete and competes almost weekly at some meet all across the province. He just got Gold for all of the province and is training to compete Nationally. He is Olympic bound. I was really stressing out because there were not enough hours in the day as is, then add on practice and driving back and forth. It was hard for me to be all, the supportive wife, working mom and cheerleader. So I learned a few things in the last year. 

Ask for help

I have started reaching out to other parents and my sons coach. Asking for help with rides, car pooling and sharing accommodations when I can not be there. This has really helped with time management and finances. They are going to be there anyway so they are happy to help. And when they can not be, I am happy to return the favor. This includes at home as well. I have started asking the kids to do some more age appropriate chores and it is going better than I had hoped.

Takes care of myself first

Yes, I know this sounds so selfish. It did to me for so long. But if moms do not take care of themselves, we can not take care of our loved ones. So this means, eating right, sleeping and kicking the cold and flu in the butt ASAP. A part of my daily routine has been to add Orange Naturals ND Shakes to my meal plan as well as eat a balanced diet. Eating right , especially having breakfast, has not always been easy for me. But with some thought and planning and some yummy recipes it has been easier than I thought. 

Enjoy the now and not sweat the small stuff 

When I first became a mom I stressed about everything. I soon realized most of what I worried about was beyond my control. So there was no reason to get upset. Things happen for a reason and you can only do so much. So enjoy the time you have and make the best of it. Time flies by faster than you like. I still can not believe I am soon going to have a twenty year old 🙂 

Just as competition hit its peak, my son twisted his ankle and has had to take a few days off. Then Little one started getting a sniffly nose. I took action and was thankful for the Orange Naturals Cough & Cold for kids I had on hand.  The Orange Naturals Kids Line received the PTPA Seal of Approval recently so if you have not already, you should check them out. Knowing I did all I could I was content and did not stress out. I know soon they will be going full speed ahead and I will not be able to keep up once again! 

Disclosure: I am part of the Orange Naturals Mom Ambassador Program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.