The reality of returning to work

As I start this new year, I also return back to work after my maternity leave, and although I don't start back properly until February, the reality of trying to juggle everything has been playing on my mind.

Before I tackle how to fit in all the extra things to make and grow that I've been thinking about, I have to work out how to manage the house as well as having great time with the kids when we're not at work and nursery.  The last thing I want is for all our time to be taken up with chores, but I do want a clean and safe environment for them to grow, and although my standards are definitely not where they used to be, the reality of meal planning, washing and cleaning are still there.

So my pondering on how to make sure that these chores don't overwhelm me and steal quality time and my thoughts, has lead to two things.

The first is a new plan, which of course includes a tick list!  I love having lists and crossing things off, but hate rewriting this kind of repetitive list, as it highlights the never ending cycle that I'm in.  So my latest plan (knowing me there will be a different one next year), is a list of weekly, fortnightly and monthly chores.  There is a plastic sheet over the top, so I (possibly we) can cross things off, but when the timeframe has passed, simply wipe off the markings and start again.  The theory of it being in view is that another adult in the house may also do some of these tasks, but by his own admission, I won't hold my breath ;-)

The second plan is to shift my attitude to these tasks.  An old uni friend of mine, Roger Bretherton, has recently written a book called 'the GOD lab' in which he talks about the Beatitudes and gives experiments for you to do at the end of each chapter.  On of these, is to pause in something that you're doing, and use all your senses to really experience the moment.  What can I hear, see, feel, smell, taste?  I've started doing it when I breastfeed my son, as I often spend the time thinking about all the things I need to do, coming up with ideas etc.  But the time I spend with him in these moments is really precious and going so fast!  This has really helped me to enjoy the moment, savour it, live in it, not in the past or the future, and thank God for it.  

So my plan, is to try and apply that to the chores too.  Some I'll do with my daughter (as she loves helping!) and are precious, some are just moments to pause in the now.  Having just done it a few times already, I've found myself being so thankful to God; thankful that I have the ability to do the tasks (have found the time, have the strength, the mental capacity, my health, have been blessed with the appliance that makes it so much easier etc), so already I'm finding a new richness in something I'd never have thought I could.

So thanks God and Roj!


(Here's another photo of the list, for those that requested the ability to read it all ;-)