The demands of being a mom are sometimes handled most efficiently. When they are, I am most pleased with myself.
Other times the weight of those demands (in this case they become burdens) drags me down–so much that it takes a few days of feeling defeated–to force me to find some solution. (No, that’s not why I I didn’t post yesterday–computer issues.) :)
I know this pattern isn’t new to any mother since our trials change along side the growing and maturation of our children and the responsibilities of keeping a home. It is just a fact that in this role that I feel I should be so used to (the unpredictability of it all) still shakes me up and requires every ounce of patience and creativity, brain storming and adjusting, in the attempt to create harmonious and happy days.
Then with time and adjusting here and there, possibly implementing something new, days are approached differently and life begins a new direction of flow, usually bringing with it an exciting freshness to life and days ahead.
This is where our family is right now. Putting into effect fresh changes to enhance our day, our lifestyle as a whole. I’m ready to begin rising early again (usually dependent on the sort of night Rowan gives me), adjusting our day to day schedule of classes and lessons outside the home, giving greater responsibilities to the kids in the home and helping them be accountable, enjoying moments more rather than mentally moving on to the next thing….
How do you describe the many faces of mothering right now for you?
the sleepy time gal
ah…. life is good right now, mothering {almost} feels too easy! but those hard days can come on so suddenly and catch me completely off guard, surprising me by my utter sense of loss of control!
i LOVE your positive outlook, that you simply need to find a new organization when these days come along and that is so true! thank you nicole! you’re an inspiration and i always look forward to reading your posts! still my favorite! 
Sometime it is a positive outlook, sometimes it isn’t.
My mother always says, “Motherhood is a lot of things…but never boring.” The scenery is constantly changing. The holidays definitely threw our daily rhythm off-kilter. We’re still trying to find our footing. A whole lot of grace. That’s what seems to be needed most around here.
I love your mother’s quotation. Good luck in your new year!
Lovely to hear your reflections on the New Year, and motherhood.
We’re trying to embrace the new year, and a new term at school. We are also trying some new things to enhance and harmonize our home life – and I’ve got a huge writing project to get under way; so it’s a good fresh, ambitious start to 2013 for all of us.
But I’m missing my children dreadfully today; my son is being bullied at school, apparently. It’s hard to get on with things knowing he might be having a very sad time in the playground. I’m hoping to get good news at pick-up time today… we shall see.
Oh, I hope he can get through this as well. Your harmony at home will definitely give him peace and strength during the storm. Good luck!
Even though it’s the new year, I don’t feel fresh! Getting on towards 9 months pregnant, I feel huge and clumsy and constantly tired. I *want* to be a better mother and one of my goals is to be a more “peaceful” mommy, but it seems my day isn’t complete unless I’ve yelled at them. *sigh* I could go all day squelching my impatience, but then I’ve just had enough and let ‘er rip.
I’m blessed to be a stay-at-home mom, I know that, but I feel like we all benefit when I get some downtime, which isn’t always realistic. So I’m on overtime, overworked and exhausted! And then I wonder how I’m going to take care of a newborn next month. Definitely looking forward to to it, but the thought does enter my mind…
I can relate. When I have that downtime, I truly am a better mother. You are in a difficult season right now–I remember this for me right before our baby came. I felt like I wanted change but I just had to wait. BE PATIENT with yourself. In no time you’ll have a sweet baby and there will be the most wonderful calm. By and by you will have rest and clarity of mind to have the order and changes you want.
Good things are coming…. Be patient and rest.
I am amazed at the constant pattern of progress that motherhood is. We come to a certain place or a certain level, but it doesn’t last long. The challenges associated rise up to meet us and we have to choose to push on to the next level of growth and making it work. I’m impressed you’re back to rising early already! I’m still having to work on it between Emma and Mary at night.
I am right there with you! We need to make a big transition after the holidays and traveling. We are transitioning into toddlerhood on one end and into the world of “big kids” on the other. It’s a beautiful but challenging time.