September 1. I mean really, September 1??? It barely seems possible that we are moving firmly into FALL territory – especially considering it’s 90+ degrees and humid here today – but it’s true.
As I did last September, this month I’ll be focusing on an issue that’s a biggie for moms: TIME. And I find that my mind is in much the same place it was when I wrote my first post on the topic nearly a year ago:
Suddenly, I’m facing the happy prospect of having time. Blocks of unfettered hours in which I can do, well, whatever I want. Work, of course. But I could also spend some of it reading. Staring out a window. Exercising. Shopping. Eating. Mindlessly clicking. It’s my time. How do I want to use it?
Since so many of us have kids entering school–maybe for the first time–right now, I figured this would be a great opportunity to talk about TIME. How do you manage it so that it doesn’t slip away? How do you keep social media from overtaking your life? How do you fit in the things you want to do amid the things you need to do? How do you figure out the difference?
It’s so easy to sit down at your computer at 9 AM with big plans for what you want to accomplish, then stand back up at noon with nothing but a stiff butt and vague memories of Twitter conversations. In our day to day lives, it’s easy for your average Tuesday to just seem so ordinary. It’s hard to believe that anything special could happen today, or that it will matter much if you fritter it away. And yet, when you stop to think about it, our entire lives are made up of ordinary days just like this one.
A year later I’m once again thinking about time, and how we use it, value it, prioritize it, and guard it. I can’t wait to revisit this topic with all of you!
I also want to take this opportunity to thank the sponsors who have made it possible for me to devote so much time and energy to my blog over the last month: Hallmark, Blue Sky, and JCP/American Living, as well as give you a little glimpse into the future. Lately many more sponsorship and spokesperson opportunities have been coming my way, and I want you all to know that I weigh carefully each partnership’s financial benefit to my family against the experience you all have here as readers and the trust and rapport we’ve established. In that light, here are a few things I wanted to let you know:
- As I work to create a more predictable posting routine here at The Happiest Mom (for my sake as well as yours!), I’ll be publishing most sponsored and brand-oriented posts and giveaways on Fridays and/or Saturdays. That way, whether those posts aren’t your thing or are your favorite thing ever, you’ll know when to expect them.
- From time to time I will also bring your attention to campaigns that are taking place outside of The Happiest Mom in the hopes that you might want to click over and check them out.
- I will only partner with brands, products and companies that I really believe in and have a personal connection to. In the case of a newer small business, I may still be getting acquainted with the product but really believe in the business owner’s mission. In the case of an iconic household brand, if I tell you I use a product or shop in a store, I really do! This means turning down opportunities from time to time, but there’s no way I’m going to write here that I use and love Product X unless, in fact, I do.
- I research the histories of companies carefully before I jump on board with them. That said, sometimes I miss things, and most large companies have at least a few dings on their permanent records. Please understand that just as we all prioritize how we spend our time differently, we all prioritize what we look for in a company differently – and I am usually willing to forgive mistakes as long as a brand takes responsibility and is moving forward in a direction I can get behind (which is pretty much the same policy I have for people.)
Building this blog into a self-sustaining, thriving community has always been my goal, and I can hardly believe how much it’s grown over the last two-and-a-half years. As we move forward, I’ll continue experimenting how to blend the “commercial” and the “content” to strike just the right balance, though I’m sure I’ll make missteps from time to time (please be patient!)
As always, I appreciate your support and am really excited to see what the future brings. Right now, I’m particularly looking forward to digging into this “time” topic with you. So, on that note:
Do you feel like you have “enough” time? What would it mean, to you, to have enough?
I try to make the most of my time. One of the reasons I commute by public transit is that it (most days) gives me the opportunity to read. Reading has always been vital to me, and I value the opportunity to use commuting time in that way.
I definitely do not feel that I have enough time. “Enough” would mean that I could dedicate 30 minutes a day to cleaning the house (beyond doing the dishes), so that our physical space could remain orderly. I do not hope for immaculate. That would be beyond the time that I spend caring for Baguette and working at my job away from home. It would mean that I could have a block of time to spend with my husband, although we now work conversations in to nearly every activity. And I’d really like to be able to get a massage once a month. I used to, and it makes a real difference in how I feel, physically and emotionally.
That would mean that I would be able at various points to focus on our home and family, our daughter, our marriage, my job, and myself. If I could achieve all of those, I’d feel like I had “enough” time.
Oh, a massage! I haven’t budgeted time or money for regular massages in a very long time, but you’re so right..they make a big difference physically and mentally.
Just a note on JCP: They get a thumbs down from me today.
http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/parenting/epic-t-shirt-fail-quot-im-too-pretty-to-do-my-homework-so-my-brother-has-to-do-it-for-me-quot-2537106/
Sarah, earlier today I responded to a comment on my JCP post from last week saying, essentially, that yes – holy cow that shirt was a bad idea. But, I have to commend JCP for their quick and unqualified apology and removal of the item, too. Companies make mistakes often, and this was a doozy, but I think their response is a good sign.
True, but just seeing it there lowered my opinion of the store. I’m glad they took it down, because if JCP starts selling those kinds of clothes regularly, they won’t get my business. And I love their clothes for kids.
Totally understand – I was disappointed, too. I hope whoever was responsible for buying that shirt in the first place got taken to task…and I’m sure they will take it very seriously going forward, given the amazing response from the blogging community.
Somehow all my time recently has been eaten up reading lovely LM Montgomery books I haven’t read since muddle school. So fun to revisit them as an adult!
I blame you. 🙂
PS just noticed my typo but I kind of like it…seems sorta fitting based on my own 6-8th grade experiences. I think I’ll leave it.
PPS I totally jumped on board with your Weds thing. Fun idea!!
I totally muddled my way through middle school, so it’s a good fit 🙂
While my kids are several years from entering school, we are starting to move from infant care to toddler wrangling. I find that I have more time to do me things now that middle of the night feedings and nursing are behind me. As for it being enough, I guess it is enough for now. I could always use more but I really cherish the time that I have now and use it purposefully (most of the time). I figure as my free time increases, so will my ability to fritter it away.
I have 4 kids- ages 13,9,8, and 2. I just started blogging recently and am really struggling to find that balance between work, housework, children, and blogging. I’m trying some different things out but am also trying to be patient with myself. I find I have more patience for others than myself (most days).
But my favorite part of this post was your statement about the ability to forgive companies and people when they own up to their mistakes. That is a rare gift I find in people- hold tight to it. It was refreshing and made me smile.
When I used to work in marketing full-time, my husband and I used to joke that we weren’t saving lives (he works in software) as a reminder to simply turn it off in the evenings. Now, my blogging partner and I always say to one another, “There are no blogging emergencies.” It seems that we are always apologizing to each other, “Sorry I didn’t finish the x, y, or z we planned on.” When a kid illness or other appointment comes up, and we feel stressed, it’s a good mantra. What really must get done? Kids need to be cared for, the fridge needs to be filled with food, clients need to be satisfied, bills must be paid, but say it with me, bloggers: There are no blogging emergencies.
I never “feel” like I have enough time but, I know deep in my heart that I really do. God gave us enough time to accomplish what we need to do. For me, it’s more an issue of how I manage my time and prioritizing. By the way, I love your blog and I’m so glad I stumbled on it awhile back. I love that you write about the positive aspects of mothering. I feel like so often moms can get all caught up in the “hard” stuff and forget that motherhood can actually be quite wonderful!
First, this “And yet, when you stop to think about it, our entire lives are made up of ordinary days just like this one” just stopped me in my tracks & really opened my eyes. I need to frame this & put it all over my house & office!
Second, I used to really believe that I didn’t have enough time; I was lured into the cult of “busyness” and used it as an excuse to not pursue the things I really wanted to. But the truth is that I have the same amount of time as everyone else on this planet, I just may have different priorities at the moment. I also noticed that I truly do have free time, I just don’t always use it in a way that leaves me relaxed and refreshed, so I often feel as if I don’t have any. If I planned well & really made it a priority, I would be able to fit in, for example, a weekly yoga class instead of watching an hour of TV, or go for a pedicure once a month instead of checking Facebook several times a day.
Now ENERGY, that is a different topic. Part of the reason I feel like I can’t get things done these days (36 weeks, ack!) is that I’m truly bone-tired most of the time & everything is taking twice as long.
I’m definitely worried about time, working full-time for the first time since I had my girls this month. So far, so good, but it’s such a difference, because I work as a nurse, a job that is so hands-on and “real” and I’m trying hard to break into the writing job, my “other” job when I have a completely different persona than as a nurse..it’s weird.
I’m all one for making money on the blogs, good luck! 🙂 I wish I could do the same, but alas, it seems readers are kind of a pre-req to sponsorships…
I do have plenty of time. I am a SAHM with a 10 month old son. I don’t have enough time with my husband, as he works 50+ hours a week. But the biggie right now is not enough money to do some things to enjoy our time together. But we’re working on moving to a much cheaper place, so that we will have more money in the budget. I am EXTREMELY excited about this! Plus it will give us more time, as the townhouse is 5 minutes from his work as opposed to 20-25 minutes. Yay!