Well that seems like a great idea, until you realize what is in these magazines. The look so pretty looking at the front, then you open it and start reading an article. For example, "Spring Clean your Smile," the right way to brush your teeth. Seems innocent enough, only one page, I can handle that. I thought, heck, that is something I think I do pretty well. Well the article proceeded to tell me that I do not spend enough time brushing my teeth. Great. It says that you should spend "longer than most TV commercial breaks." WHAT? Are you kidding me, do you know how long that is? Do you know how much I can get done in that amount of time? I mean, I can clean out the dishwasher or sweep the living room floor. I could pick up all of Trevor's toys for the night. You want me to spend that precious time brushing my teeth. That does not include flossing, mouthwash, etc. I literally laughed out loud at this point. So, something I feel I do a decent job at, I am informed that I am not doing it well enough.
I find this to be a trend in magazines specifically. Just in two months, some of the articles I have read include: how to make your own soap (safer & better for the environment), how to plan out your child's meals for the week (don't forget to give them a fruit and vegetable from every color in the rainbow each day to be sure they are getting their daily allowance of vitamins and minerals - but don't give them too much, they may become obese), make your food from scratch (boxed food has way too many calories, sugar, sodium, etc.) ways to clip coupons & fill out surveys to get points you can redeem for gift cards, how to make sure you child is learning & being challenged in his play, don't play with your child too much or too little, it could cause issues later in life, don't forget to make time for your partner, your child, your family, yourself, school.
I agree that ALL of these things are important and I need to do them all but does anyone else feel as though this is absolutely insane? How is it that we, specifically Moms (Dad's too in same cases), are supposed to work, go to school, be a great mom (no one wants to just be a good Mom), be a great wife (again, who wants to be a just good wife), be there for the rest of your family? To do everything that you want to do to be all of these things, is it even possible? There are 24 hours in a day. Period. Non-negotiable. So how do you do all of these things with those 24 hours? I know that I am extremely lucky to have a husband that works just as hard to help me. Sometimes life is just really hard and this goes for everyone, not just parents. It is a delicate balancing act.
One thing I do know is that I will not be spending 4+ minutes every morning and every night brushing my teeth. One minute will have to do. So, when I am 65 and have no teeth, you will know why.
I'd love to hear from anyone else that has thoughts or insights on the demands of daily life.
You're too cute!!! Now I can unsubscribe to all my magazines and just read blogs from my favorite bloggers....Sara, Erica and Marcy!
I barely remember to brush my teeth at all let alone for a whole commercial break (what is that, like 10 minutes theses days?)I guess you just pick one thing you want to start doing (making things from scratch for example) and try to do it once a week. Once you get the hang of it you probably get better at it and can incorporate it into your life more and more. Greg and I have been making our own bread and really, it doesn't take very long once you get the hang of it. I wanted to try making my own natural soap and found a great shortcut and it turned out great. I'll be putting it on my blog soon. It also helps to acknowledge that when some things are more important to you, those unimportant things just don't get done. Oh, well. But really Sara, you are Wonder Woman. having a baby, full time job and going to school at the same time is something that I just could not do and stay sane at the same time. Doing that would be biting off way more than I could chew.