Great post Chantelle. The juggle is full on without Childcare. I know the juggle, the struggle and overwhelm well. I’ve also felt like I haven’t been my best self to my family or my work. But often those feelings are caused by high expectations that we put on ourselves. We are doing the best we can and we are being good stewards with the time we have. I too got a babysitter and do most work at night. I find being grateful that I can work from home and be present with my kids during the day, absorbs my feelings of feeling negative about the overwhelm. Hope you have a great day lovely. Xx
Bec, I’m glad you got some help too. It definitely makes a difference, doesn’t it? We’ll look back on these years and wonder how we did it, but be glad we did. xx
Yes to all these words! I have two days of Childcare for my miss 2.5 which is when I run my business. But then the washing starts jumping up and down at me or I need to take the car in for a service. And working at night I feel guilty for not spending time with hubby. But I just let it go. Some weeks the house is messy but I am happy because I have had MY time doing what I love – working. Other times the house sparkles while I wait for my creativity to pop back up. Baby number 2 is arriving in November and I’m slightly terrified how my world will change but the joy of another person in our house will be worth it!
Oh wow! Congratulations! I didn’t know you had a bub on the way. You have exciting times ahead. And bubs always change things, but always in a beautiful way. Oh gosh, I’d love another baby. Your news has made me clucky! xx
Fabulous words! Thank you for acknowledging that no one is doing it all. We need to let go of what we believe ‘doing it all’ or ‘having it all’ should look like and choose to spend our time working on the purposeful stuff… Which is different for everyone. The rest can be delegated or supported by help. After all, the whole point is to enjoy the ride 🙂
Yep, life is definitely short and these are out best years. We HAVE to enjoy the ride. xx
I’m pleased you’ve got help and that you’ve found a way to juggle the struggle. This post reminds me of that saying “you can do anything but you can’t do everything” 🙂
Yes! I need to remember that one.
I hope you’ve settled into home nicely. xx
Amen to getting help when you need it!
Thanks Karen. xxx
I hear you ? I feel the same, when I’m head high in dried fruit orders that I struggle to do because I’m working my day job, when the pruning is looking at me (and I’m talking 17acres here) and I have to pack that fruit, when I can’t get to my gym classes because it’s all priority stuff…. When we get up at 4.30am on Saturday fortnight a to travel 2 and 1/4 hours to a farmers market where people genuinely love to see is and we love going there ? It’s tough! I’m lucky I don’t have little people.
But in so saying, we are so blessed to have the opportunity and until we decide to give it all up, it’s one foot in front of the other here…. My lifestyle seriously makes it all worth while and even though I have little whinge fests, I am happy, humble and grateful and to have been given this opportunity ???
Oh gosh your business sounds delicious. I think when I’m burnt out and wishing I had a regular job, it’s good to step back and look at it all with a real sense of gratitude… because it’s important to be present and grateful, and give yourself a high five for all the hard work that has been put in.
Keep putting one foot in front of the other. xx
Oh Chantelle, don’t worry we ALL feel like that. The reality is that as women, mothers and human beings we are going to feel like we are getting piled under the massive lists, jobs and obligations- I know I do regularly!
I guess, as you said, we are all human and it’s all about asking for a hand and just keeping on going! I’m so glad you have some help in the form of a babysitter- I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have the support of friends and family nearby to help with the kids when I’m in need! But you are an inspiration to so many women, because you are achieving so much, whilst being pretty much in the same situation as a lot of us- you are a Mum, a wife and yet you produce a beautiful blog, etc- don’t forget, we think you rock hon!! 🙂
Awwww Pip! Thank you. You made me teary. Thank you. xx
Gosh I hear you! I have 2 child-free days a week to get as much work done as possible when my 2yo twins and 4yo are all at kindy.
The rest of the week I start work when the kids go to bed and stay up til way past midnight to get it done. But I love it. It’s a constant juggle isn’t it! :-O Lauren xx
It is! And one week you can think you’ve got it sorted, and the next it comes crumbling down. I don’t know… it’s a juggle!
I relate in so many ways to this! I felt that pressure of having to do it all and for some reason asking for help was completely out of the question. Then I burned out and finally asked and I am finally starting to see a glimmer of myself again. Love seeing other moms have the same thoughts and paths and that we’re all in this together 🙂 cheers from Texas!
Isn’t it beautiful finding yourself again? Like laughing and being joyous and not a shadow of your former self. I like that. Here’s to more happy days. xx
Oh my gosh, I’m perpetually exhausted! I’m working full time, running a blog and being a single Mum to 4 girls. Trying to find time for myself, look after the house and make time for the kids is a constant juggle!
I take me hat off to you. I hope you feel more calm and revived soon. x
Thanks for sharing this Chantalle, I think it’s always important to remember that we can’t do it all!
Yes, definitely. Thanks Sarah. x
The juggle is threatening to overwhelm right now, just so much work to get done in a short amount of time and no one to mind my ‘baby’ while he family daycare mum away… it’s a battle but we’ll get there x
Oh Em. I hope you can get through it. Too much work is a good thing, too much stress isn’t. 🙁
Chantelle, you’ve captured the feeling and reality of being divided between being a mummy and an engaged member of the workforce, especially in a IT connected world. I’m glad you got help to balance the juggle a little better. I’ve trodden the same path and like you, went too far one way on the continuum before admitting that I needed help with the house and extra babysitting. It seems you have to experience the extremes before you can find your ‘happy place’. Thanks for sharing your journey. X
I think we just want to try and see if we can make it happen, and then it gets so hard we have no choice but to surrender! Or maybe we’re just suckers!
Oh I feel ya. You can have it all but just not all at once. Good for you for getting some help X
So true Jenni! x
Oh this speaks to me! With a few substitutions I could have written it myself. Running a small business is HARD, especially when you’re doing it all (and learning it all) yourself. Add in trying to parent & keep on top of other work, study, life responsibilities and it gets to be pretty much impossible. Over the last year I decided to allow myself a little breathing space & just accept my business would crawl (or limp!) along so I could enjoy the time with my baby.
You have such a lovely way of speaking to people in a way they can relate & keeping it real <3 Thank you!
Oh thanks Tash. The kids are only little, so I don’t care in my business plateaus for a while. I just want to make sure that I never look back and think, “I wish I’d spent more time with the kids.”
Luckily I learned how to outsource the works for my online business because doing it all is such a hard work.
Love this, thank you Chantelle. Keep fighting the good fight and I will too!
Thanks Dannielle! xx
I’m halfway through writing a piece called “Having it all feels like shit” but ironically I haven’t had time to finish it!!! GOOD ON YOU for getting some help in to mind the girls — I have never quite understood how anyone works with young kids under hoof without going craaAaaaAzy. This will be so much better!!! xxx
Ha, that’s hilarious! Hope you get time to get it done.
Oh I feel ya lady! Last month, after 2.5years at home (with a 5yo now started school and a 2yo), pregnant with my third and while living in our shed while our house is renovated, I decided to go back to work because I felt like it was what I was supposed to do.
I did two days, (involving morning daycare drop, school drop, work, school pick up, daycare pick up) served my kids pre-packaged slop for dinner (because: knackered) and ended the day with a two hour panick attack resulting in an asthma attack and crying myself to sleep with the worry if how the heck I was going to “do it all” (read: do lots of stuff all in a half arsed manner). I couldn’t do it. I quit the following Monday and for a VERY short time I felt like I had failed. Then my amazing hubby reminded me that actually I was being an amazing mother and wife and I quickly got over my self feeling like a failure. For now, doing what I’m doing feels like enough, and that’s ok.
Lauren, I love this story… not because of the struggle but because you tried and quickly realised what wasn’t working and did something about it.
Sometimes what we’re supposed to do isn’t what we should be doing at all. xxx
Brilliant Chantelle. You’ve said what we all feel all. the. time. Thank you. Just… thank you. x
Great post Chantelle. The juggle is full on without Childcare. I know the juggle, the struggle and overwhelm well. I’ve also felt like I haven’t been my best self to my family or my work. But often those feelings are caused by high expectations that we put on ourselves. We are doing the best we can and we are being good stewards with the time we have. I too got a babysitter and do most work at night. I find being grateful that I can work from home and be present with my kids during the day, absorbs my feelings of feeling negative about the overwhelm. Hope you have a great day lovely. Xx
Bec, I’m glad you got some help too. It definitely makes a difference, doesn’t it? We’ll look back on these years and wonder how we did it, but be glad we did. xx
Yes to all these words! I have two days of Childcare for my miss 2.5 which is when I run my business. But then the washing starts jumping up and down at me or I need to take the car in for a service. And working at night I feel guilty for not spending time with hubby. But I just let it go. Some weeks the house is messy but I am happy because I have had MY time doing what I love – working. Other times the house sparkles while I wait for my creativity to pop back up. Baby number 2 is arriving in November and I’m slightly terrified how my world will change but the joy of another person in our house will be worth it!
Oh wow! Congratulations! I didn’t know you had a bub on the way. You have exciting times ahead. And bubs always change things, but always in a beautiful way. Oh gosh, I’d love another baby. Your news has made me clucky! xx
Fabulous words! Thank you for acknowledging that no one is doing it all. We need to let go of what we believe ‘doing it all’ or ‘having it all’ should look like and choose to spend our time working on the purposeful stuff… Which is different for everyone. The rest can be delegated or supported by help. After all, the whole point is to enjoy the ride 🙂
Yep, life is definitely short and these are out best years. We HAVE to enjoy the ride. xx
I’m pleased you’ve got help and that you’ve found a way to juggle the struggle. This post reminds me of that saying “you can do anything but you can’t do everything” 🙂
Yes! I need to remember that one.
I hope you’ve settled into home nicely. xx
Amen to getting help when you need it!
Thanks Karen. xxx
I hear you ? I feel the same, when I’m head high in dried fruit orders that I struggle to do because I’m working my day job, when the pruning is looking at me (and I’m talking 17acres here) and I have to pack that fruit, when I can’t get to my gym classes because it’s all priority stuff…. When we get up at 4.30am on Saturday fortnight a to travel 2 and 1/4 hours to a farmers market where people genuinely love to see is and we love going there ? It’s tough! I’m lucky I don’t have little people.
But in so saying, we are so blessed to have the opportunity and until we decide to give it all up, it’s one foot in front of the other here…. My lifestyle seriously makes it all worth while and even though I have little whinge fests, I am happy, humble and grateful and to have been given this opportunity ???
Oh gosh your business sounds delicious. I think when I’m burnt out and wishing I had a regular job, it’s good to step back and look at it all with a real sense of gratitude… because it’s important to be present and grateful, and give yourself a high five for all the hard work that has been put in.
Keep putting one foot in front of the other. xx
Oh Chantelle, don’t worry we ALL feel like that. The reality is that as women, mothers and human beings we are going to feel like we are getting piled under the massive lists, jobs and obligations- I know I do regularly!
I guess, as you said, we are all human and it’s all about asking for a hand and just keeping on going! I’m so glad you have some help in the form of a babysitter- I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have the support of friends and family nearby to help with the kids when I’m in need! But you are an inspiration to so many women, because you are achieving so much, whilst being pretty much in the same situation as a lot of us- you are a Mum, a wife and yet you produce a beautiful blog, etc- don’t forget, we think you rock hon!! 🙂
Awwww Pip! Thank you. You made me teary. Thank you. xx
Gosh I hear you! I have 2 child-free days a week to get as much work done as possible when my 2yo twins and 4yo are all at kindy.
The rest of the week I start work when the kids go to bed and stay up til way past midnight to get it done. But I love it. It’s a constant juggle isn’t it! :-O Lauren xx
It is! And one week you can think you’ve got it sorted, and the next it comes crumbling down. I don’t know… it’s a juggle!
I relate in so many ways to this! I felt that pressure of having to do it all and for some reason asking for help was completely out of the question. Then I burned out and finally asked and I am finally starting to see a glimmer of myself again. Love seeing other moms have the same thoughts and paths and that we’re all in this together 🙂 cheers from Texas!
Isn’t it beautiful finding yourself again? Like laughing and being joyous and not a shadow of your former self. I like that. Here’s to more happy days. xx
Oh my gosh, I’m perpetually exhausted! I’m working full time, running a blog and being a single Mum to 4 girls. Trying to find time for myself, look after the house and make time for the kids is a constant juggle!
I take me hat off to you. I hope you feel more calm and revived soon. x
Thanks for sharing this Chantalle, I think it’s always important to remember that we can’t do it all!
Yes, definitely. Thanks Sarah. x
The juggle is threatening to overwhelm right now, just so much work to get done in a short amount of time and no one to mind my ‘baby’ while he family daycare mum away… it’s a battle but we’ll get there x
Oh Em. I hope you can get through it. Too much work is a good thing, too much stress isn’t. 🙁
Chantelle, you’ve captured the feeling and reality of being divided between being a mummy and an engaged member of the workforce, especially in a IT connected world. I’m glad you got help to balance the juggle a little better. I’ve trodden the same path and like you, went too far one way on the continuum before admitting that I needed help with the house and extra babysitting. It seems you have to experience the extremes before you can find your ‘happy place’. Thanks for sharing your journey. X
I think we just want to try and see if we can make it happen, and then it gets so hard we have no choice but to surrender! Or maybe we’re just suckers!
Oh I feel ya. You can have it all but just not all at once. Good for you for getting some help X
So true Jenni! x
Oh this speaks to me! With a few substitutions I could have written it myself. Running a small business is HARD, especially when you’re doing it all (and learning it all) yourself. Add in trying to parent & keep on top of other work, study, life responsibilities and it gets to be pretty much impossible. Over the last year I decided to allow myself a little breathing space & just accept my business would crawl (or limp!) along so I could enjoy the time with my baby.
You have such a lovely way of speaking to people in a way they can relate & keeping it real <3 Thank you!
Oh thanks Tash. The kids are only little, so I don’t care in my business plateaus for a while. I just want to make sure that I never look back and think, “I wish I’d spent more time with the kids.”
Luckily I learned how to outsource the works for my online business because doing it all is such a hard work.
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Good for you. 🙂
Love this, thank you Chantelle. Keep fighting the good fight and I will too!
Thanks Dannielle! xx
I’m halfway through writing a piece called “Having it all feels like shit” but ironically I haven’t had time to finish it!!! GOOD ON YOU for getting some help in to mind the girls — I have never quite understood how anyone works with young kids under hoof without going craaAaaaAzy. This will be so much better!!! xxx
Ha, that’s hilarious! Hope you get time to get it done.
Oh I feel ya lady! Last month, after 2.5years at home (with a 5yo now started school and a 2yo), pregnant with my third and while living in our shed while our house is renovated, I decided to go back to work because I felt like it was what I was supposed to do.
I did two days, (involving morning daycare drop, school drop, work, school pick up, daycare pick up) served my kids pre-packaged slop for dinner (because: knackered) and ended the day with a two hour panick attack resulting in an asthma attack and crying myself to sleep with the worry if how the heck I was going to “do it all” (read: do lots of stuff all in a half arsed manner). I couldn’t do it. I quit the following Monday and for a VERY short time I felt like I had failed. Then my amazing hubby reminded me that actually I was being an amazing mother and wife and I quickly got over my self feeling like a failure. For now, doing what I’m doing feels like enough, and that’s ok.
Lauren, I love this story… not because of the struggle but because you tried and quickly realised what wasn’t working and did something about it.
Sometimes what we’re supposed to do isn’t what we should be doing at all. xxx
Brilliant Chantelle. You’ve said what we all feel all. the. time. Thank you. Just… thank you. x