Am I the only mom?

I was talking to a friend, a mom, the other night and she asked me if I ever get a break! Well, yes and no. I mean I get my moments through out the day, I sit and veg and make the kids play in their rooms, I'm sitting at the computer writing this blog (with only one kids home). I even left my oldest daughter to watch her siblings while I went to coffee with a friend that came in town with her new baby. Oh, don't forget, I also have after they go to bed...but I'm usually tired by then! There isn't many true "breaks". And the coffee breaks happen far and few between.

When my mom came to visit for 7 days she said she didn't know how I get anything done. My school schedule is way more tame this year (so happy about that). But she said you don't get time alone and your so busy. I remember she had just mopped the front entry while I ran to get my son from school. We came in the door, he kicked off his shoes and sand flew all over the freshly mopped floor. I just busted out laughing and said; "That's why I don't clean!"

Woman are not like men, at least it is this way for me. I don't get to call up a girlfriend and say "Hey, you wanna get together, right now?" As a mom, I can't just drop what I'm doing and run out the door. I have so many things to consider, is my husband going to be home? Is there any other activity happening already? How long will I be gone? What time of day is it; nap time, time to pick up kids or bed time? I'm a planner, I have to schedule coffee dates, scrapbook nights, time to go to the store! It makes it a lot harder to invest in friendships with five others at home to consider.

When I was talking to my friend the other night I told her that I don't mind. I am being honest when I say that, I really don't mind. My dream was to be a mommy, to have lots of kids. I wouldn't have it any other way. I love motherhood...

BUT, I would be lying if I said I don't want a break every now and then or sometimes more than that! I am looking forward to our Women's Advance coming up in September, which I have not gone to in 2 years! I will be gone for 2 days!!! I get lonely as a mom since the only conversation I have on a daily basis is with children and would love an adult conversation! Am I the only mom? I don't think so...

Only a short while after talking to my one friend about motherhood I talked to another friend, also a mom, who is feeling the loneliness of friendship, just like me. I realized that my friend who lives near me and another friend states apart from me both feel the same. We, as moms, miss friendships.

Is it something we have to give up as moms? I see other mom's that have BFF's and hang out but maybe it's not my season right now. This is the time in my life when I invest in my kids. But I don't want to loose me in the process.

I think there needs to be a balance. Knowing I'm not alone helps but making sure I plan getting away when I can helps a lot. Tell me, Am I the only mom???

Chore Charts

My mother say's she called our chore chart growing up, "The Musty Dusty Cleaning". I don't remember it, though I do remember having chores. I can't tell you what they were but it's a part of growing up, whether you like it or not. And here I am, all grown up still having chores and now trying to teach my kids!

With 5 children my house is not company worthy 99% of the time! I love that feeling when that 1% arrives but it is always so short lived. My kids are pretty good about putting things away but they are kids and have to be reminded. Everyone complains or has excuses, so...

One day I was tired of the messes, tired of repeating myself on what to do every day. It's amazing how you can do the same thing every day yet no one remembers what it was! So I sat down on the computer looked up chore charts and created my own. When I was done I printed it out, put it on the fridge and showed all the kids. They each have their name, color and chore lists. I was pretty excited. Here is just two of the kids chore lists. They all look the same but the chores vary.It's been a few weeks of using our lists and I am in love with our chore charts. I wonder why I never had them before now! I don't have to follow them around. All I have to say is, "Go read your list" and they do. They can see what they need to do and when. I even made a Saturday chore list. Each of them has a chore list based on their age and what they are capable of doing. This past week I was gone on Saturday morning. I didn't get home until lunch time and they all surprised me by having their chores done before I got home! Had the list not been there that would never have happened!
Things run so much smoother now. Next project, How to get boys to clean together and not play!!! LOL. It's always something!