Delicate Balance

[Michelle]

I find it increasingly difficult to balance the demands of working full time, being a mom, being a "wife" and the glue that holds the household together. Does anyone have any secrets they can share to their success?

[Sylvia Hubbard]

My secret I learned from my mother:

Take an hour break when you get home from work.

After picking up the kids and driving through rush hour traffic, let the children know you need one hour.

Don't even bother them. Don't address them.

Take that time to do whatever you like to do.

Don't clean up. Don't do anything that involves the house, work, or anyone else except you.

That selfish hour is more of a mental changeover that we need in order to be the best for others.

It'll do wonders for your own peace of mind.

[Michelle]

What a fantastic idea. I guess I feel like I always have to be "on" for everyone. Lately this has been my release, but if I'm not doing laundry, paying bills online, or cleaning I do feel guilty like I have to be doing that stuff and not ~ god forbid ~ sit on the couch watching TV etc. It is very hard to get out of this mode I am in, but if I can follow your advice at least a few times a week I can't imagine that it won't make a difference.

[Rita]

what a great idea, now if i can get it to work, lol, without too many hurt feelings...

[Michelle]

Hey guess what. I've yet to be able to try this lmao. CALGON TAKE ME AWAY

[Barbara Siragusa]

I always loved that Calgon ad!! So unrealistic, but great to close your eyes for a second and imagine it! I do agree though, that you have to have your own peace of mind in order to deal with everyone else's demands.

[Beth]

When the line at my desk at work is four deep, my people are particularly needy, the boss is grumpy and I'm expected to drop what I'm doing to take care of a request by the owner, I've been known to close my eyes, take a breath and say loudly "Calgon, take me away!". Sometimes enhanced with a good chair spin and arms waving in the air. It breaks the tension, for me anyway, and I can regroup and dive back in to the fray. If I'm lucky, some of the people have backed away in fear, deciding that an email will do, and my people will figure out they already know what they were going to ask me, they often do.

[Barbara Siragusa]

Good for you Beth! LOL!