I Am (Sometimes) the Overwhelmed Mom

I aim to do a lot more than I should, and that is why I am overwhelmed.  I have tried schedules, lists, chore charts, and work books etc.  It is an endless cycle.  I feel like I am walking on a treadmill.  I am constantly moving but not getting any where. 

Getting the Children to Help
My oldest is 4 (Hermione).  She is actually very helpful these days.  She will get cereal for the baby and towels for all the spit up and has an attention span long enough to finish cookie recipes.  I recently bought her a responsibility chart which was going very strongly for the first two days now we have already been slacking off.  Please, LORD, help ME be disciplined enough to keep up with the day to day things that need to get done.  See how this doesn't help an overwhelmed mom very much the weight is again put on my shoulders.  Ariana (2) is slowly learning.  We changed things up at home recently that has her in tears almost every day.  I want us all to be dressed for breakfast and they want to be in pjs.  I want to change this around because of all the appointments we seem to have (especially in the morning).  We have daily battles right now, again, another overwhelming thing to deal with.  The baby has reflux and obviously can not help except to make cute faces, which do brighten my day.  In the long run, I know all the overwhelming stuff can't compare to the joy of teaching every day lessons and learning to work together and instructing in righteousness.

Let my yes be yes and my no- no.
Usually not a big problem, but Hermione is a good negotiator and sometimes I actually have to be flexible on this because she can often come up with something more important that needs to be done that mommy forgets about.  I don't love to see my children cry.  I hope I am doing the right things.  Right now I am battling the television.  I praise God that we do not have cable or any tv channels at all.


Stop excusing your child's inappropriate behavior
I guess I don't know how this helps with not being overwhelmed.  What am I SUPPOSE to do when my daughter won't say anything to her teachers or people who are passing her at church?  Stop right there and discipline or instruct (talk about super overwhelming)?


Ask Others for Help
This I do not think I have a problem with.  I am not afraid (any more) to ask for help though sometimes I don't know the right people to ask.  My neighbor has definitely been one of the most helpful with last minute baby-sitting and bringing over coffee when I have run out.  I am not above anyone in asking for help.

Me Time
Ahh...the ultimate balance in life.  I never know if I am just plain lazy or do I really need all this me time.  Take last night for example.  We had spent the day making some cookies and Lucy was having a very rough reflux day (a lot more spit up than usual).  The kitchen was a mess but it was beautiful outside.  My husband was not home.  I just heated up a can of chili, plopped in their bowls, let them watch T.V., bathed, and read to them and sent them to bed.  It was almost 10 o'clock by the time I got this all done.  Now do I go clean the kitchen?  spend time with my husband?  take a me time bath and read for fun?  I chose the last one.  And now my kitchen is still a mess and my husband and I spent time watching a couple shows he likes.  I didn't get to bed till 12:07am.  Now was that right?  Should I just clean the kitchen and go straight to bed?  I just have so much guilt over "me time".

Well that is me-  one overwhelmed mom.  I pray that I can become more disciplined so my children will follow suit.

These tips were given from Far Above Rubies.  I was just giving my responses to feelings to the list.