 "Great Moms Multitask." Raise your hand if you've heard this or some version of this statement. I can raise my hand, my other hand, both feet, my ponytail...okay, you get the picture. We hear it all the time. Good mom's know how to juggle their to-do list while they handle the needs of their children, keep their home clean and inviting, and strongly invest in their marriage. "I'm a good mom." I tell myself. "If other moms can do that, then I can do that too." But all the while the pressure builds. Life becomes a game of trying to do as many things at one time as possible. Forget doing the dishes. I can do the dishes while answering Adela's questions about the universe, listening to an online motivational speaker, encouraging Micaela to crawl, and mentally planning dinner. And that pressure, the one that builds under the surface as we recognize deep down that we are not doing anything really well anymore, that pressure undermines our love for all of it. Suddenly I've had it. I've had enough. Enough of with dishes. Done with three year-old's nosy curiosity. Done with begging Micaela to show me something incredible. Done listening to Joyce Meyer talk about attitude. And I definitely don't care what dinner is going to be. Sadly, that is only after about half-an-hour to 45 minutes of 'multitasking'. Hmm, I thought, I don't really know how to do this very well. I guess I am a mediocre mom, not a great or good mom. If I was I would still be smiling. I ran across an article this morning that challenged others to stop multitasking and start 'monotasking'. The theory is sound. If we devote ourselves to one thing at a time then we do it better. Our stress level stays low. And we feel successful. We just need to give ourselves some grace. Mom's are multitaskers, duh. We have to be. But when God gave us the ability to care for more than one thing at a time, he gave us a gift to care for our families and to be productive. He did not give us a superpower to be abused to the point that we don't want to do it anymore. This is going to be hard for me, but I am taking the challenge. I am going to stop multitasking. I am going to do one thing at a time and do it well. I'm a little scared. My to-do lists are massive. The needs of my girls rest all on me. I have a lot of pride in the way my home and family is cared for. But, I know this is right. I don't want to do Micaela's therapy anymore while I mentally worry about everything else on the list. I don't want to help Adela color and cut paper while I agonize about how long it seems to take. I'm tired of not being all there for them. I'm tired of feeling like I'm not really there for anything. Yes, this a big commitment, to say that whatever I am doing I am going to give it all my body, mind, and heart. It is time for change. Perhaps we could all use a little less multitasking and more "monotasking" in our lives. Article sighted: http://www.mumsmakelists.com/2014/10/hey-busy-mums-stop-multitasking-start-monotasking/ Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
2 Comments
Sharon Harris
5/17/2016 08:52:40 am
Ahhh! I noticed a change in the air pressure! You know I'm no expert on the kids part, but I've spoken to large groups about time management, fully using your Planner (capital intended) and reaching goals. Now - from an old woman looking back - time will not be managed. People are more important than the artificial "pride and power" that comes from wrestling a huge to-do list into submission. I used to take so much pride in being SO busy. Now, I'm not proud of that time. This challenge will be tough for you. But YOU are tough. Praying for God's support and direction.
Lora Armendariz
5/17/2016 10:17:37 am
Thank you, Sharon, and I think you are right. People are more important. Keep up the prayers. I need them. Leave a Reply. |
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