Dear Working Mom,
Life gets crazy, doesn't it? Between work, kids, husband, church, and everything else in life, I'm sure your time is scarce. So I'll try not to take too much of it- I just wanted to share some things I've learned as a working mom and wife.
1. Don't Push Your Children to the Side
I know when you get home from work, the last thing you really want to do is make dinner, do the dishes, clean the kitchen, and start a load of laundry. But if life is going to happen and the practical needs of your family be met, that's exactly what you have to do. Perhaps the only thing that could make it more exhausting is doing all of it while playing catch with your toddler! How much easier and faster everything is if you put on a movie for your toddler while you finish up! Easier and faster, yes. But is it the best?
Remember that your toddler will only be a toddler for only a while. He will only want you to to you and you alone for a while. So dig deep and play catch while you brown the hamburger for dinner! Delight in the fact that you child wants you and isn't content to settle for anyone else. That time will be gone before you know it. After all, doesn't it seem like yesterday that you were still carrying a newborn everywhere? So play catch with as much joy as you can, and remember it's a sign of how much your child loves you, and how much they missed you while you were gone.
2. Don't Keep Score with Your Husband
Please don't ever keep tally marks of how much you've done and how much your husband has done! Nothing will kill your relationship faster than bitter feelings and resentment over who's done more dishes or worked more hours. Start everyday with a clean slate, and don't fill it up! Resolve every day to love, serve, honor and respect him to the best of your ability that day- and don't remember what you did for him yesterday! Love keeps no record of wrongs, and I don't believe it keeps a record of rights either.
Does it matter in the end if you worked exactly 3.82 hours more than he did this week or did the dishes 5 more times than he did? No, it doesn't. I know it feels like it does, but it doesn't. Look instead at his heart= does he love you and God? Does he desire your best? If the answers are yes, you are blessed beyond measure!
Your husband is human, and there may be times you need to gently remind him that you need his help, that you want his help. But always do so prayerfully and respectfully! I bet that sometimes he doesn't realize you want his help, and simply doesn't want to get in your way. Love always hopes- so trust your husband's heart. He wants your best, and he will respond with grace. So obey the Lord, put your husband before yourself, and pray for God to work in you as well as him.
Oh, dear working mother, your plate is full! But so is your heart, your joy, and your love! Remember that, and keep perspective!
Love,
A Working Mother Who Gets It
