One Pouring Cup Isn't Always Enough

     I am a wife, mother of 3 (that I homeschool), owner of 3 furry pets who shed a lot, volunteer for my husband’s job, volunteer for my church, and roughly 4 months ago became a caregiver to an elderly relative who now lives with us. All in all I consider myself a rather strong and resilient person who can handle a large amount of stress and responsibility. But sometimes I, like many of you, overdo it several days in a row. Sometimes I think I can do entirely more than I should. It’s not that I can’t handle it, I’m just going to pay a large price for it later.

     Sometimes you’re going to be in a season of life that is overly taxing (newborn, middle of a move, trying to thrive during a deployment, busy season at your husband's or your job). This is when I encourage you the most to become critical and decide what only you can do and what you can either drop or task out. I’m not talking about paying for services (although that is definitely an option) but asking for help when you need it.

What am I going to do differently in this season?

• I’m going to ask my husband for help in specific ways. He is actually very helpful when I ask I just don’t think to ask.
• I’m going to start back up my kids’ chores. We’ve had a very eventful last 5 months and chores were almost thrown to the wayside but no more!
• I’m going to continue using Wal-Mart Grocery Pick-Up. It’s saves my behind on a regular basis, doesn’t cost extra, and my kids don’t have to get out of the van. Let me repeat that last part again. Because I homeschool and have younger children who can’t be left home alone I have to take all my kids with me when I get groceries. With Wal-Mart Grocery Pick-Up they never even unbuckle. I mean I would pay for that but they don't even make me. 
• The last thing I’m going to do is take some money I’ve set aside and pay my neighbor (who professionally cleans houses) to come help me get caught up in deep cleaning a few areas of my home before the holidays. We’ve been blessed enough to have a little bit of money set aside to do this and I’ve decided not to feel guilty about legitimately needing the help! Especially when it can be a benefit to another family in my neighborhood right before Christmas.

     Learn these lessons now and don’t be like me where it takes getting rather sick before you’re willing to slow down! And remember, being the manager of your home doesn’t mean you physically do everything yourself. Managers train and delegate!!! What are you going to do different?