This weekend, like every single one before it was insane.
Let me break it down for you…
Saturday
7:30am: I leave for a photo session located at the home of a long term client who now lives an hour and a half away from me. Sigh at adorable baby photos…
8:30: DudeDad drives Dude 2 to the home of a teammate to get a ride to his lacrosse game.
11am: I leave the photo session to drive 1 hour and 45 minutes to the field where Dude 2 is playing lacrosse.
11:30: Parents of friend Dude 1 was sleepover with bring him home.
12:00: DudeDad takes Dude 2 to his end of season soccer tournament.
1:00: I arrive at lacrosse field.
1:15: Lacrosse game I just drove two hours to watch ends.
1:30: Mom of soccer teammate picks up Dude 1 and takes him to the end of season soccer party at another teammate’s house.
1:35: After rounding up all of the gear and the kids, Dude 2 and I go to lunch with lacrosse teammates.
3:30: Dude 3’s soccer extravaganza and award ceremony end and he drives to the end of season soccer party for Dude1.
3:45: I arrive home with Dude 2.
5:00 DudeDad arrives home with Dudes 1 & 3.
We quickly finish our yard work for the weekend, wash uniforms, go buy a birthday party gift, eat, and try to spend 30 minutes relaxing before we get up for a second full day of lacrosse, party attendance, and volunteering at an event for 5 hours on Sunday.
When I arrived at the party on Sunday to drop off Dude 1, a dad we know from soccer said, “Hey, nice to see you, it’s been awhile. I didn’t think it was possible, but I’m pretty sure you guys are busier than we are.”
It’s not a competition or anything, but yes. Yes we are.
And, you know what?
As much as time as I spend exhausted and trying to sneak naps, I’m pretty okay with it.
My boys lead active full lives. They get to enjoy engaging in things they are passionate about. And, we do it all together. Like separate (because there are more of them than there are of us), but still kinda together. They aren’t just sitting in their rooms, not talking to me or each other.
And we’re happy. Tired, but happy.
People constantly express that they don’t know how I do it (and by how, I think they really mean why), and always my answer is the same: I just do.
Because this is my life.
But, that’s not really true. I mean, yes this is my life, clearly, but making this life happen for the Dudes isn’t just luck and happenstance.
There is intricate planning and schedule management, and support staff involved. It’s like running a small, nonprofit business when you really just break it down (note how nonprofit is underlined and bolded too).
I do nothing alone. Or on a whim. Or without packing a bag first.
And all of it is planned out and prepped in advance to promote consistent success (and because I have never really enjoyed spontaneity).
Because pulling off three practices a night and five games in a weekend (not to mention running two businesses and doing homework and volunteering house cleaning fitting in time to hang out with friends and family) means eating Double Dinner, and washing 20 loads of laundry a week, and spending a lot of time in the car, and asking for help.
I do a lot of asking for help.
I’m fortunate to have people to ask.
Friends and neighbors and relatives who act as my super mama sidekicks (and everyone knows the side kicks do all of the grunt work).
They are my village. My #GreatAssist team.
Without them, I’m certain my mothering would be less mediocre-with-periods-of-awesomeness and more I-don’t-wanna-judge-but-maybe-three-kids-is-just-too-many-kids.
I don’t wanna be the lady with too many kids.
If you are just starting you mom journey and wondering how your life might evolve to include ALL OF THE THINGS EVERY SINGLE WEEK and for those of you in the throes of it, I have some advice, get yourself a Great Assist Tea;: people, things, apps, processes that will help you live a fuller, more manageable and joyful life. Here are some of mine…
Mom Sidekicks that Make Life Easier
1. A network of mom friends. Trustworthy, strong, good women who help out when you are in a pinch. Even if that’s every Tuesday. I call mine the super mom makers, because they help me seem like I am doing a really awesome job at basically everything.
2. An apple slicer
3. Neosporin. Even if it didn’t work, it makes kids feel better. Also, it works.
4. A Mimi. She doesn’t actually have to be your mom or you kids’ grandma or even someone who is related to you at all. But she does have to be someone you love and trust and respect who will talk you off the ledge when your kid smears Vaseline all over your couch right when your realtor calls and says he’s on the way to do a showing. Don’t ask. It’s a long story.
5. Cookie spread. For a midday eat-in-the-bathroom-while-your-kids-get-buck sanity saver. (I buy this Biscoff Spread
6. Band-Aid Blister Cushions
7. Bucket seating in your car. I know, if you only have one kid, this isn’t an issue. But, if you have more than that you know that they don’t like to be touched by each other unless they explicitly give permission for such to occur. No accidental brushes, no gentle nudges, not even any threats of touching occurring go without notice and chastisement. Bucket seats help eliminate at least 28% of these issues. Imagine breaking up like 3 less fights a day. Dreams realized.
8. Easy meals. I use microwaveable quinoa as a side and it has made life SO much easier!
9. A good pair of jeans. They will make you confident and pulled together when every single other thing in life seems to be falling to pieces. I get mine from American Eagle Hi-Rise Skinnies
10. A sense of humor. It is basically the only reason I get through most kid related catastrophes.
Clorox knows that sometimes we all need assistance getting across the goal line and they appreciate the importance of a #GreatAssist person or team to help you do that. That’s why they’re Official Partner of the United States (U.S.) Women’s National Team and sharing some of the player’s #GreatAssist stories. You can share yours too for a chance to win awesome products from Clorox.
And, be sure to join ME Thursday, June 11th at 1pm EST on Twitter to share your #GreatAssist stories and chat about cupcakes and stuff. We will be giving away 5, $100 gift cards to participants! RSVP here: #GreatAssist Chat
*Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Clorox via The Motherhood. All opinions, busy schedules, and insanely good advice are my own.