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monalisa
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| Posted: Aug 07 2007 at 7:53pm | IP Logged
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When I read blogs I think, wow, some people are so productive! LOL- I just did the MOTH thing where you add up the time it takes you to do everything you need/ want to do. Well, with sleeping, 1/2 hr of prayer, nursing, chores, table time, outside time, and an errand here or there- THE BASICS- my 24 hours are taken, with 55 minutes to spare- LOL!
I know I need to be a good steward of my time, but here's the thing. Like, I look on Teri Maxwell's site and she's all about learning to sew. Other places you read about having a hobby or pursuit so your kids see you doing something- learning something. Helps avoid burnout. Etc.
When you have little babies, a toddler, etc, how realistic is it to take time to do extras? I mean, I love to sew, knit, do extra baking, etc. But I honestly don't have the discipline to knit or sew only 1/2 hr 3x a week. I'd rather not do anything extra if I can't actually work on a project... It would take months to complete a project. Or piano- if I only play a little, it's too frustrating. But I can't justify not doing dishes, you know, skipping a must-do for a 'me' activity. Sometimes I think I should just do the basics and remind myself that this is just a season, and I'll be able to pursue other interests later in my life.
On the other hand, when I ONLY do the basics, after a few weeks I usually chuck everything and work on a project, then feel out-of-control and guilty, then go back to the basics. I wish I didn't sew/ bake/ knit/ play an instrument/ have outside interests- LOL- just because at this point in my life a baby and a preschooler really take all of me. (I thought of maybe scheduling in a few days of chaotic activity on a project every month, but dh really has a hard time with that.) It usually happens when we need or want something that I COULD make, and I don't want to spend the money on it.
Just looking for some thoughts of other moms. Lots of experience around here. Do I just stick to the basics, buy the things I don't have time to make, and remind myself that this won't be a forever hiatus from other interests. Or am I supposed to muster the self-discipline to work on these hobby/ other things while maintaining all my usual responsibilities? What do other moms end up doing with littles around?
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joann10
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| Posted: Aug 07 2007 at 9:11pm | IP Logged
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When I had 6 dc ages 8 and younger I would set up my sewing machine and work on a project when I had a moment, and sometimes is really was only moment.  I would sometimes do one seam at a time, and occasionally stop off in the middle of a seam, but eventually I would finish the project and then have the wonderful feeling you get when you can say to someone, "Yes, I made that!" Of course, they would ask how it was possible with all the small children, and I would just smile and say I found the time and "did a little at a time." 
I have a little more time now because I have bigger kids to keep an eye on the babies while I am knitting or sewing-or blogging. I feel that I need to do these things to keep my spirits up and that helps me to be a better wife and mother to my husband and family.
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missionfamily
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| Posted: Aug 07 2007 at 9:22pm | IP Logged
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With all my littlies it is hard for me to pursue that type of hobby. I try to scrapbook or sew when I can and I blog to keep my writing going. But what I can doevery day is let my children see me treat myself nicely, show them that I take the time tocare for myself. Allowing myself a quiet morning prayer time that they may not interrupt and an afternoon rest period for spiritual reading or blog reading with a cup of tea. In the evenings, I go change into my night clothes, take care of my skin, rub myself with lotion that smells yummy. These little points in my day refresh me and they know that. Now that they are part of the daily routine, my boys protect them as vehemently as I do..."Daddy, mommy's praying, you haveto my juice. I hope one day they'll do the same for their wives!
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Colleen
dh Greg
mom to Quinn,Gabriel, Brendan,Evan, Kolbe, and sweet St. Bryce
Footprints on the Fridge
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Bethany
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| Posted: Aug 08 2007 at 6:33am | IP Logged
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Oh, I'm right there with you. I'm about to have 4 dd's 5yo and younger. I finally set my sewing up an a banquet table in the dining room. There was extra room and we hardly ever use that room. I do find it easier to do projects when it's there and available. If I had to drag the sewing machine out every time I would never sew. I've also found projects that are easier to stop at any point. Needlepointing on a painted canvas is easy and you can drop it at any point because there is no counting involved. I love to knit, but found that I cannot keep track with all the kiddies around!
My dc's are in bed by 8 or for an hour I'll usually stitch, read, or sometimes take a really long, hot bath. Dh is ok with that because it gives him some time to get on the computer without feeling guilty. Then, no later that 9 we spend time together. This is all subject to change in December  !
I've also accepted that my house looks pretty good considering there are three small children, a mother, and a dog here almost 24 hours a day. When I'm really down about my house I'll watch Mission Organization on HGTV and everything is fine again!
And lastly, somethimes I feel a lot better when I temper my blog reading. Somedays they are wonderfully inspirational and others they just get me down. I have to remind myself I'm only seeing a snippet of someones day. I could probably pick one thing in our day and make it look great also.
Bethany
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Bethany
Wife to Mike, Mommy to Amelia (6/02), Sarah (10/03), Martha Grace (10/05), Rebecca Anne (12/07), Laura Catherine (3/10) and Reed Michael 7/4/14.
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CAgirl4God
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| Posted: Aug 08 2007 at 7:37am | IP Logged
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oh I am right there with you. I have four, under 11.one a toddler. and I really don'thave time for myself, unless I make it. which is few and far between.
I used to read a ton, and craft, and sew, play volleyball, bake, hang with friend's on a friday night around the fire..... but I just don't have the time to spare
it can be distressing, and sometimes, okay many times I am spent each and everynight. we moms do a lot of giving through out our day/week. to everyone, but ourselves usually. I feel like I am being stretched in a million different ways and about to break at anytime, LOL.
but this is how it is for me, at least right now. when the kids grow up, and they will  I will have all the time in the world. so I soak it up now. I enjoy it while I can...and when it gets to be too much, well then it is usuall the holidays and I make things again, lol.
what is this old saying...this too shall pass.
but if you want or need some time for you...make it. create it, niche it out of you day. even if it is only a fifteen minute break. take it and recharge or reconnect.
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Jamie, married to John
JC, Nugget, Christina & Judy
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: Aug 08 2007 at 12:27pm | IP Logged
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CAgirl4God wrote:
but this is how it is for me, at least right now. when the kids grow up, and they will I will have all the time in the world. so I soak it up now. I enjoy it while I can...and when it gets to be too much, well then it is usuall the holidays and I make things again, lol.
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So true. There WILL eventually be a season when you no longer have babies or toddlers around and things will be MUCH easier.
And then you will wish with all your heart for more babies and toddlers...
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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Cheryl
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| Posted: Aug 08 2007 at 1:29pm | IP Logged
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I think Teri Maxwell's idea of a little bit of what you love to do each day seems healthy. It seems like a good way to have balance. Unfortunately, I'm not very disciplined because I go over my time limits. A year ago I discovered blogging and that I could do it while I nursed. This summer I've stayed on the computer long after my dd is finished nursing. It's going to have to stop in a few weeks when school starts.
In the past, my "me" time has been at night when the dc are asleep. I had lots of time because I'm such a night owl. That too is going to have to change. My dh and I have been talking for months now about looking at our priorities. We just can't continue to do everything that we do anymore. It seems we could handle it when our family was smaller, but not any more. This summer I feel pretty fried. Part of it could be the fact that I feel emotionally drained waiting for my miscarriage to happen. But I've taken a look at our planners to see what we were doing from May-July and it looks crazy busy. Something has got to go, and it's probably me going out at night. I think MOTH is a great resource for looking at your priorities. It's something that needs to be revisited as life is always changing. I personally prefered MROL and that is what I'm trying to use to organize my time now. I think I really identified with the author's struggle with disobedience, which Teri Maxwell doesn't seem to have as much trouble with. I can't wait to read what others have to say on this topic.
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Cheryl
Wife to Bob ('97)
Mom to Matthew 13, Joseph 11, Sarah 10, Rachel 6, Hannah almost 4 and Mary 1
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juststartn
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| Posted: Aug 08 2007 at 1:31pm | IP Logged
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Rarely have time for myself--dc ages 7,5,3, and twin 3mos olds. Doesn't help that DH is away (deployed). He's been gone half of the time since we had our oldest, so it makes it difficult to really "get into" a hobby. And I don't have ANYWHERE to leave a project out and "in progress" (which means my learning how to sew idea is on hold for the time being).
I want to get into more things...but honestly, I take this as one of those "seasons"...my time is not my own.
Rachel
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Married DH 4/1/95
Lily 3/11/00
Helena(Layna) 5/23/02
Sophia 4/19/04
John 5/7/07
David 5/7/07
Ava Maria, in the arms of Jesus, 9/5/08
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Topic: On using your time
