On the surface, my life might seem like a picture of perfection. I’ve got a loving partnership, three incredible kids, a fulfilling job that lets me work from home, engaging hobbies, good health, and a cozy home. Plus, we’re on a homeschooling journey together. When I list it all out, it sounds quite impressive.
People often ask how I manage to juggle everything, and my answer is always the same: “I don’t.” This isn’t just modesty; I genuinely don’t achieve balance—not even close!
The idea of balance feels unrealistic when you’re a parent. The thought that all the aspects of my life could coexist harmoniously on a regular basis is amusing. Sure, I employ strategies to keep the chaos to a minimum, but as any parent knows, “smooth sailing” can still be a wild ride.
Whether you’re a working parent or a stay-at-home one, juggling family life is hectic. Instead of seeking balance, I think of my life as a juggling act. It’s a continuous dance of moving from one task to another, shifting my focus as needed. I’m tossing and catching various responsibilities, always on my toes, trying to stay ahead of the next ball that’s about to drop.
In my life, I juggle nine key areas: marriage, parenting, homeschooling, work, hobbies, health, household responsibilities, friendships, and community involvement. Each of these is important to me in different ways. Even my hobbies, though they may seem trivial, are crucial for self-care. When I neglect that part, all the others feel the impact.
And yes, balls do drop. They drop all the time. Some of it is my doing, as I chose to take on these tasks. However, none of these roles is optional. If I neglect my health, it affects everything else. If I stopped homeschooling, I’d just be juggling a different school-related responsibility. My marriage and kids are priorities that must remain in the air. Work is essential and personally rewarding, so it too is non-negotiable. The household duties often get set aside, which can be frustrating—after all, a tidy home makes juggling a lot easier. I sometimes let my community commitments slide, but I aim to keep that ball up in the air as a model for my kids. Friendships also tend to fall by the wayside, but I’m committed to maintaining those connections; they energize me.
So, nine balls in total—and at least one hits the ground nearly every day. But guess what? I discovered that the world record for juggling nine balls is just 55 seconds. Yes, even a professional juggler can’t keep all those balls in the air for a full minute!
So if you feel like you’re constantly dropping the balls in your life and can’t maintain balance, take heart. That’s simply part of the parenting gig. Each additional child alters the dynamics, changing the weight and complexity of the responsibilities you’re managing. Every relationship, work project, community activity, and school commitment adds more balls to the mix, and you have to adapt constantly.
The key is to find joy in juggling, appreciating the skill involved. Perfection isn’t the goal; even the pros don’t juggle flawlessly all the time. Strive to keep everything afloat, but accept that some balls will fall. Just pick them up and see if you can go a bit longer next time before another one drops.
And remember, if you manage to juggle for more than 55 seconds, you’re doing better than the experts! Keep going strong, Mamas.
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