I can point to you a time in this season of young ones, where I mirrored each of your confessions. Some of them still exist. Like counting down to nap times, and when my Beloved gets home. It’s so funny, I always said I wouldn’t be one of those wives who handed the babies to the Dad as soon as they walked into the door…while I’m not there waiting for him to turn the doorknob, the kids are and I’m ECSTATIC to see another human being in ADULT form. Not just for the fact that he is awesome at entertaining busy little people, but because he actually talks without whining. Amazing.

I think it interesting how our ideals change so much after kids. It’s so mentally exhausting to keep up the old ways, you have to find a place of balance and dare I say, rest, in the new. Even if that means sipping that coffee during nap time (I’m sipping along with ya…) instead of cleaning the shower. There’s always tomorrow. And if tomorrow doesn’t come, well I hope I enjoy my children AND my coffee today.

I think trying to have some quiet and sanity is a good thing…don’t let your wish list oppress you…what needs to get done will get done. :O) My challenge of the day/season is trying to get older kids to accomplish school work and chores in a timely manner without being a control freak who has a choke hold on them. I want to have the “choke hold approach” because it seems “easier” …but that doesn’t really promote family harmony! I want to enjoy my kids, see them learn, and grow through their mistakes…and I can’t make them learn all the lessons they need…but I can watch, encourage and support and of course PRAY!! God is so faithful!! Try to enjoy the sweetness of this time…it’s so fleeting! :O)

Um, I feel very similar to you. I dislike and cherish this season of well. I might like it better if I weren’t so tired:) I don’t nap because something alway shappens (Like just now…a toddler escaping from her naptime) so I get frustrated and it’s not worth it. I am usually drinking coffee as well…to get through the rest of the afternoon. as of 2 o’clock I am getting ready for Justin to come home and he doesn’t get home til 6!

I only have one child but I also count down the time until my hubby walks in the door.

Baby2 is due in April, and I’m pretty sure I’m in denial that April WILL come someday and I’ll have two little boys to take care of. Not sure how I’m going to survive, to be honest.

Far too many mornings I lay in bed hoping for a few more minutes of sleep instead of showering or being productive while Timmy (sometimes) sleeps.

I have felt, thought, and did (or didn’t do) all those things, too. It’s been almost 6 months now since our second came along and we’re still adjusting, day by day.

In the times when I feel discouraged that we’re not getting back to “normal” (what is that anyway?!), I think of this post, and feel a cool breeze of grace blow in . . .

http://www.conversiondiary.com/2011/10/bare-minimum-mode.html

Luke 10:38-42

38Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 40But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

There is a season for everything. Everything that you want to get done will not always get done. Seek His face, he is the only one who will sustain you. I’ll be praying that God will daily encourage you with the things that *do* get done. Baby steps

It brings a smile to my face when I see your little family, even though times are tough now, you will make it through.

Psalm 56:8-9
8You have kept count of my tossings;
put my tears in your bottle.
Are they not in your book?
9Then my enemies will turn back
in the day when I call.
This I know, that God is for me.

i feel the same way anna. im just taking it one day at a time and some days are better than others. i keep reminding myself of a little phrase “this too shall pass” lol and then of course i feel guilty for not cherishing this newborn phase bc it’ll be gone soon but sometimes its the only thing that will get you through the day =)

I’m going to call my friend that just had a baby right now and offer to clean her shower.

And I’ll bet your a great momma to both of those little ones.

You are right where you are supposed to be, Sweet Anna. We have ALL felt ALL the same things. Grace for this season, I pray for you. Something I am working on myself – being in the moment. Just relishing in that very moment, not thinking about what needs doing tomorrow or feeling anxious about what should have been done already, just being present in the very moment. I am finding so much more love for my children and joy in my calling this way Now, off to sleep for me or else I will be eating all those words tomorrow! Love ya, Anna!

I wish your family lived nearby too!
I would be over there cleaning your shower and watching your little ones all too often

The days can feel long with little ones at home:) I still am eagerly looking at the clock by 4:00. And the wait from 4 – 6 feels long..very very long. I don’t do great with little ones, but suddenly my baby is almost a year and life seems to be getting back on track!

It takes awhile. I keep telling myself that soon I’ll blink and my kids will be older and I won’t have to clean showers anymore:) It will be their chore:)

Anna, you are too sweet, I love your transparency and honesty here! As a momma of 2 under 2 as well, I can completely relate on all points. Seriously ALL of them.

I think the biggest thing for me is just the mommy guilt that comes on top of it all…there are days when that’s the heaviest thing for me. I’m working on giving things over to the Lord and allowing Him to strengthen me in my weakness. As much as I love and cherish my time with my little ones, it isn’t easy!

There are definitely days where we go over our TV limit, I watch the clock waiting for nap time, and my “free” time when both are napping I often use to nap myself…or, like you, get a little coffee break

God’s grace is so sufficient where we fall short. Hang in there, you are an awesome mommy, that is obvious. Your babies are blessed to have you as a mama. Blessings to your sweet family!

I don’t have any advice to offer you since I’m not a mom [neither am I married -ha!]. But I just wanted to say that I’m sure you are doing a FANTASTIC job. My Mom had 3 kids three and under — but she made it through and you will, too.

I had to laugh at your first confession. It still feels that way here too. Not sure if that will make you feel better or not. The boy are just at the point they can pretty much get dressed on their own, but of course I’m still doing most everything else for them.

And good for you for taking time for yourself during their naps. It’s needed for mental sanity at this stage. You give so much of yourself physically, don’t beat yourself up in the showers aren’t clean.

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I can tell you from experience that your entire list is utterly normal. You are wise, wise, wise not to try and get a bunch of stuff done when everybody sleeps. This is the most physically demanding thing you will ever do. You gotta stay well-rested and on your game. Also? Your baby is PRECIOUS. Just beautiful!

Just an old grandma here. My four are grown and I have grandchildren 3-16. So, while I read the posts of you young mothers with compassion and understanding that comes from having walked in your shoes, I also view your struggles through the lens of age and wisdom – and survival.

Honestly, I don’t think I was never as absorbed in being the perfect wife and mother every moment as you all seem to be. I fear you are all too hard on yourselves and worry too much. No one is perfect and we are all blessed by Grace.

I know my house was really clean only if grandparents were coming for an annual visit, and even then there was probably backed-up laundry hidden in a closet and dirty dishes in the oven. lol But my children don’t remember that.

They are adults now, 32-43. What they tell me they remember from childhood are happy things: Time we spent together having fun, the wonders that I taught them about God’s world, the books we read together, the singing, the special moments we shared, and being loved.

You are all wonderful mommas and you are not going to warp or ruin your babies by any means! I hope you try to lighten up some on yourselves. I know you are tired. I was, too. So rest! What’s more important? Ask yourselves: 20 years from now – or 50 – will this matter? Will anyone remember if my shower was clean or if we had Martha Stewart meals and home decor? Take the important time for *yourself* and spend lots of time actively loving your children!

It’s all good!