MomsTalk: Surviving Each Day

Moms, I have a question. How do you get everything that needs to get done accomplished every day? How do you stay organized or at least manage to give off the impression of having your act together? 

As a mom of one preschooler, I am in awe when I talk to moms of three, four and even five kids who also manage to look like they not only shower regularly, they actually iron their clothes (and accessorize!) while also feeding and clothing their family, and holding down a job. Those who work from home with kids in the house especially amaze me. 

Taking care of a house can be a full-time endeavor, even without sticky-fingered housemates. The to-do list is never-ending, the kitchen sink (and the laundry hampers) never stay empty for long, and there are weeks that feel like a constant game of  catch-up. It's like there is no getting ahead. 

If you are a veteran mom who has advice for getting through the day, I would love to hear from you. Please post in the comments or email me directly at Rebecca.Abma@patch.com. 

I know there is more to motherhood than cleaning, as this poem I was given at my baby shower so eloquently states:

Babies Don’t Keep
by Ruth Hulburt Hamilton

Mother, O Mother, come shake out your cloth,
Empty the dustpan, poison the moth,
Hang out the washing, make up the bed,
Sew on a button and butter the bread.

Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?
She’s up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.

Oh, I’ve grown as shiftless as Little Boy Blue,
Lullabye, rockabye, lullabye loo.
Dishes are waiting and bills are past due
Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo

The shopping’s not done and there’s nothing for stew
And out in the yard there’s a hullabaloo
But I’m playing Kanga and this is my Roo
Look! Aren’t his eyes the most wonderful hue?
Lullabye, rockaby lullabye loo.

The cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow
But children grow up as I’ve learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs; Dust go to sleep!
I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep.