“One Mom Can’t Do It All”
By Tricia Goyer
I’m a mom of six children, and a professional writer. A lot of people ask me how I do all I do. The answer is that I’ve learned what NOT to do. One person can’t do everything, you have to pick and choose. The question is what to pick, and how to know…
There are many things we can spend our time on, and for me it’s being my husband’s helpmate, my kids’ mom, and writing. God has called me to do these things and do them well. He placed dreams deep in my heart, and my choices every day determine if I follow them.
If you’re struggling with caring for kids and following God’s dreams for you, here are a few nuggets of advice…
—24, in fact! I’ve approached these suggestions as a work-at-home-mom.
- Remember, you can do more than you think.
- Turn off Twitter and Facebook.
- Turn off the television.
- You can’t multi-task. Every one minute of interruption is a loss of more than one minute of work. It takes a while to get your mind to focus again.
- Cut anything out of your schedule you’re only doing because you feel guilty.
- Cut out anything you’re doing because you feel you should do it, not because you want to do it.
- Schedule all of your errands to one day a week.
- Use the Crock-Pot more.
- Let your house be dirtier than you normally would. (You’ll survive, I promise!)
- Life doesn’t have to be crazy-busy. Just because the people around you are trying to do it all doesn’t mean you have to. Just do the things God’s shown you to do.
- Don’t give yourself an excuse to put your calling or passion to the side with, “When the kids start school,” or, “When the children are out of the house,” or some other excuse. If God is calling you to start, then just do it.
- Work takes time, and time isn’t free. You have to pay for it. You have to buy it by cutting out other things. Make sure your work is worth the cost.
- As one person you can only do so much.
- You are your kids’ only mom.
- You are your husband’s only wife.
- Work in spurts.
- Remember you are an example in life even more than in words. Your life validates your words.
- For the aspiring writers out there -Write something worth living for or live in a way that’s worthy to write about. (Benjamin Franklin said that.)
- When you first start working at home, don’t depend on your income to pay the basic bills.
- Don’t spend the work money before you get it.
- Listen to your husband and good friends’ advice.
- If someone thinks you are taking on too much, listen to them.
- If you don’t feel comfortable about something, listen to that inner nudge, even if you’re afraid you’re going to miss a good opportunity.
- Finally ask, “Is fear or is peace guiding my choice?” Go with peace. That is where Jesus is. Trust that.
How about you, what is your best advice for work-at-home moms?
(Adapted from Balanced: Finding Center as a Work-at-home Mom)
Tricia Goyer is a mom to six (including three adopted children) and grandmother of two. She is the best-selling author of more than 40 books, fiction and non-fiction as well as a contributor to many home-schooling and mom blogs. Goyer also volunteers around her community and mentors teen moms. Learn more about Tricia at www.triciagoyer.com.
