Whether you have a house full of small children or a van full of teenagers, your life is busy. It’s easy for busy moms to get stressed out, frazzled, or even overwhelmed by all the tasks, needs, and challenges of parenting. Be encouraged with a humorous post to remind you to take time to enjoy the journey. Do you need to put yourself in time-out for a few moments for a smile break for your soul?
Frazzled mom, don’t forget to enjoy the journey.
In today’s culture where faster is better and frantic is the new normal, it’s easy to find yourself over-committed and under-staffed. We all know that feeling of trying to do too much.
Sometimes we don’t have a choice when over-commitment comes knocking on the door.
Certain things must be done to maintain life and sanity. Not doing the necessary tasks has a cost…sooner or later. For instance, don’t take out the trash…it won’t be too long before the smell becomes unpleasant. Decide that laundry isn’t a priority and it won’t take long before no one in the house has clean socks and underwear. See how that goes…
- But then there are the goals  we choose to pursue.
- And the things we feel obligated to do.
- And the things that someone else thinks we should do.
- And the jobs others didn’t do…ahem, kids…
- See how quickly the busy factor can  spool up and spin out of control?
[tweetthis hidden_hashtags=”#busymom #frazzled”]The frazzled mom is the distracted mom.[/tweetthis]
I’m not pointing any fingers, just telling you what happens to me. Actually my hands are too full to be able to point my finger at anyone. If I let go of this load I’m going to drop it.
When I get frazzled,  I make goofy mistakes like try to open the front door with the unlock clicker for my car.
I put Lemon-Pepper Seasoning in my purse instead of the cabinet because…I am trying to do six things at once!
I go to doctor’s appointments on the wrong day.
Time sneaks up on me and I am late to pick up my daughter from practice.
When you are overwhelmed, do you find yourself doing things like this?
[tweetthis hidden_hashtags=”#grumpymom #busymom”]Frazzled moms become grumpy moms.[/tweetthis]
I have felt hassled with frustration of a To-Do list longer than a roll of toilet paper, and to be honest, it can make me a little crabby. Or a whole barrel full of crabby.
The kids want me to drop what I am doing to take them someplace..and I snip an answer at them. I growl my inner-GRRRrrrr…when the phone rings, when the tenth interruption comes in the same hour, when the family has the audacity to comment that the house is a wreck. Imagine that.
Take the frizzle out of your frazzle and adjust your mom-i-tude by remembering to enjoy the blessings of parenthood. Share on XTime out for frazzled moms.
Take a time out for your soul. Remind yourself to laugh and cherish the smile factor of life with children. One of my top tips for overwhelmed moms is don’t lose your joy.
Teens or toddlers, they fill our heart with joy. Take time to laugh with your kids. Enjoy the silly, cute things they do. Tap into the humor and lightheartedness of being a kid.
When crabby comes to visit, remember the many little moments that make you smile. Taking time to enjoy those sweet moments is important. It settles our frantic and reminds us to attend to our important people and priorities rather than be driven by the blare of busyness.
Even when they become teenagers and those little cute things grow up, they make me laugh. Sorry to break it to you, but my teens no longer bedtime read stories to the dogs. Now they do funny things like sabotage family picture day:
I needed that laugh… how about you?
Taking time to enjoy the precious things that kids do breaks through the tension and reminds us to laugh. Stop to give a hug…just because. Breathe deep and reach for joy.
Remembering joy turns to our focus to gratitude in parenting.
Joy and gratitude soothe like a cool balm, calming stress. Perspective shifts and Mom-i-tude brightens. Let go of the grit of frustration scraping across your last nerve.
… Mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be joyful!–Proverbs 23:25
A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones.--Proverbs 17:22
Busyness, schmiziness…don’t ever get to frazzled to enjoy the journey!
How do you adjust your Mom-i-tude?
Share this post with other mom’s that could use a little encouragement. Just click on one of the media buttons–so easy:)
Recently my How to Drive Your Teens Crazy in Four Easy Steps got picked up by For Every Mom! Woohoo! Today the post is live, so come check it out. This site features a wealth of quality articles for moms.
Ginger, you are so right. I have missed out on many joyful moments because I was too frazzled about details that ultimately don’t matter. I love your pictures!
So many of the things that make us feel overwhelmed are things that aren’t really that important. I am often guilty of getting so caught up in things that I miss some great moments. Thanks for stopping by today, and I hope you have many great moments with your family.
I remember the drive your teens crazy post! I loved that one. ? Congrats on having it picked up by For Every Mom.
Frazzled mom…that I am. I make all kinds of crazy mistakes on a regular basis. Usually I can just laugh about it- or at least provide entertainment for my family.
Being able to laugh at ourselves is an important way of keeping things in perspective! How many times I’ve taken myself so seriously and clung to the pride that is so self-condemning when I fall short. Then there is the part of me that really laughs because these crazy things really are funny…and we all do them. Some of us are just particularly gifted… Thanks for joining me today!
Loved this blog post, Ginger! It made me feel light and happy and renewed as I read it. Your website looks fabulous!
Yay!! I’m so glad that God refreshed your heart as you read this. It is a great privilege to have you take the time to read and respond. It brings such joy to know that you have been encouraged. Thanks for being here!
Ginger, I am learning this truth more and more everyday. I actually didn’t sign my oldest up for some things this fall for this reason. I want to have time to enjoy life and for us both to slow down. Thanks for this lovely reminder about how important it is to breathe life in! Blessed to find you at Grace & Truth.
Enjoy that time together! It’s so easy to get so busy that we hardly see our kids. Being intentional to keep a sane schedule is so wise–you’ll both reap the blessings.
I LOVED this post! I have 4 kids and I often describe myself as “frazzled.” Thank you for making me laugh and smile and remember “busyness,schmiziness… don’t ever get too frazzled to enjoy the journey!” Ha! I’ll be scheduling this on FB.
Yay! I’m so glad I’m not the only frazzled gal out there. Thanks for sharing this with your peeps. I’m sure you’re busy with four kids. I only have one left at home…and I’m still frazzled.
This echoes so many things I’ve been learning this year. Thanks for sharing at #ThreeWordWednesday.
Ginger, I love this post SO much. I needed this reminder as I come off of a crazy, busy week that was 90% self-induced. I tired to do all-the-things, be all-the-things, and I am now sick and exhausted. Not pretty.
Thank you so much for this reminder as I sift through what needs to stay and what needs to go, so I can be the mom I need (and want!) to be.
Sharing this, today! 🙂
Oh, have I been there! I hope you’ll enjoy the next post about Martha’s struggle with resentment in serving. We’ll be hitting this story again this coming week. Hope you have a restful weekend! Thanks so much for sharing!