One of the things that I find very important is having a mother’s helper for a few hours each week. With four small children at home, a weekly open house supper,homeschooling, church activities and S’s busy work schedule I need to have a few hours to think, write, plan, or just work on some of the household projects that are impossible for me to do with “helpers”.
I’ve really struggled with this need- other mothers of small children manage to keep their houses tidy, and do all kinds of activities without a helper. And helpers aren’t cheap either, nor is it easy to find someone who can keep up with three very active and inquisitive children.
Last year a good friend of mine helped out once a week and over the summer a high school girl came for a few hours once a week. Both of them did great with the children and were able to not only watch them but also enrich them with art and other activities that I am either not good at or don’t have time for. For the last month or so I haven’t had a helper and I can see the results in my mental state, so I was delighted when the college girl next door offered to come on Monday mornings for a few hours!
She came today for the first time (of course the children are already better acquainted with her than I am since they talk to her over the fence every time they see her). It was raining and cold (mid 50’s) but she was game to take them out for a walk with their raincoats, boots and umbrellas. She’s going to do Physical Education with them as she is quite athletic (and none of my children can catch a ball- neither of us is that comfortable with balls and we just don’t ever play ball with the children).
I had a set of errands to run so I went off and did that this morning- a huge blessing as shopping with children in the rain is NOT my favorite thing to do. When I returned they were dry, fed and most of all calm and happy. Hopefully this will be a good thing at least through the end of the semester…
I know jealousy’s a sin, but…I’m jealous.
I had to hunt around to find someone, but it’s well worth it. Have you tried contacting your local homeschool group?…K
I am so. glad. for you! I’ve only got one kiddo, but I’m seriously considering swallowing my pride and getting somebody to come in once a week just to vacuum, dust, and scrub my toilets. Oh, and watch baby girl while I try to get some sewing done. I wasn’t good at getting stuff done even *before* I had a baby… :/ I do not know how people survive with no help at all!
Schedule and routine help. And if you need someone to catch you up from time to time, then get someone. Some people find housework soothing and a way to unstress themselves, they will always have tidy houses. Some people (like you and me) find reading or writing are the best ways to self-sooth, we can have tidy houses but the act of tidying doesn’t soothe us and we shouldn’t try to force it…K