Friday, May 14, 2010

Question

Here is a question I have been pondering for a while, and now I am asking all you Mamas out there for your opinion. Where do you find the balance between serving your family whole-heartedly and not losing yourself in the progress? Let me clarify. I am realizing that I find some of the greatest joy in serving my family. I love to play with Max and see his obsession with trains go to new heights every day. I love the dimples in Will's face (and butt) and seeing him go completely stiff in anticipation and excitement. I love cooking meals and the smell of homemade bread wafting through our house. I love being Joey's wife and living life with him on my side. In many ways, I found a new me. In other ways, there are parts of me that are not being fully expressed. I love my Austrian side. I love to read. I am attempting to improve my writing, but not getting very far. I love to teach ESL. I love to exercise, although I can't really remember the last time I was all gross and sweaty due to exercise and not South Carolina humidity. I absolutely love traveling and being outdoors. I love good conversations over an equally good cup of hot tea. Not a lot of those things are happening right now. Is this just a phase of life? What do you think?

7 comments:

Cassie said...

Aaaahhhh, the great debate of motherhood.

I think that most women feel this way. At least most women who serve their family to the extent that it is a sort of sacrifice of themselves. I think there probably will be a time when those things that you love will have a chance to work their way back into your life, but right now they will probably be few and far between. But that is OK. The best advice I can give to you is to obey the Lord. To obey the Lord's call on you is more important than your family or your own personal interests and hobbies. To obey the Lord is to love Him. Obeying the Lord is the one thing that you can do now that you will reap the reward of later. So whatever you do, make sure it is what you will not regret. Make sure it is what the Lord is asking of you at this time. And make sure you do it with all of your heart. You are one awesome Mama! Your family is lucky to have you!

Inka said...

hallo charissa,
diese frage stelle ich mir in letzter zeit auch sehr häufig. ich finde auch kaum zeit für mich selber und wenn ich sie dann mal habe, bin ich oft zu müde, um irgendetwas sinnvolles zu machen. jetzt wo baby nr. 3 bald da ist bekomme ich schon manchmal die krise und frag mich, wann ich jemals wieder zeit NUR FÜR MICH haben werde!
aber es ist ja wirklich 'nur' eine phase: so schnell schauen wir gar nicht und unsere kleinen sind den windeln entwachsen, gehen in die schule usw. usw. ich versuche mir immer wieder ins gedächtnis zu rufen, dass diese zeit, wo sie noch so klein sind und ihre mamas bei allem und jedem brauchen, eine unwiderbringliche und unersetzbare zeit ist. das alles kommt nie wieder!
und sobald vormittags schule ist, oder nachmittags turnverein werden nach und nach wieder zeitfenster für uns entstehen, wo wir dinge nur für uns einplanen können.
bis dahin heisst es wohl durchhalten und soviel genießen wie nur geht!
ganz liebe grüße an dich und viel kraft für deinen alltag
deine inka

missing africa said...

good question... when you find the answer let me know. feel the same way... love all the things about my guys but i do miss traveling, writing, exercising, and a deep conversation over coffee and just time to sit and be alone. (alone time NEVER happens i cant remember the last time i even went to the bathroom by myself). balance is hard. "me time" is rare... lately i have been going for a walk or run right after putting the boys to bed (nights chris is home) even if its just 15 min. it gives me time to unwind.

Sigi said...

Habe mir erlaubt auf Sigiswelt.blogspot.com darauf zu reagieren! So viel nur schon Vorweg du bist nicht allein.

Movieguy said...

I dont like exercise!

melissa said...

Definitely good questions that you're looking into. I think it's also a phase of a SAHM. :)

Here are two articles that I've found really helpful and though-provoking as of late:
- http://www.babywisemom.com/2010/05/staying-sane-as-sahm

- http://blog.mom4life.com/mom_4_life/2010/05/just-3-more-minutes

melissa said...
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