I like to consider myself a pretty tough chick. I’m independent and resourceful. I’m alone with two kids a lot, so I guess I need to be. I’ll admit, it’s hard for me to ask for help – even when I obviously don’t know what I’m doing. But, I will never try to convince you that this is a one-man show. They say it takes a village to raise a child. I’ll go one step further and say “the village” is essential to a happy, successful life even as an adult.
Running a business is stressful, marriage takes work, and raising kids is just plain hard. There are needs pulling us in a million directions. I know I’m not alone when I tell you I walk in a room and think, “Wait, what did I come in here for?” We multitask like there’s no tomorrow, but we’re not alone in this. It’s okay if we let the pieces fall every now and then. It’s okay to ask the village for help.
I’m willing to bet behind every successful person, there is an amazing support system. I rely on my friends daily. They listen to my ups and downs and remind me I’m not the only one feeling the weight of parenthood. My online forums and photography groups give me inspiration even when I don’t think I have an ounce of creative left in me after a long day. My mom and sister are always just a phone call away, and my husband…I simply won’t be without him. My husband is an incredible dad. The moment he walks in the door after being at work since before the sun came up, he is Daddy. We are beyond lucky to have him.
When it comes to my children’s success, their teachers deserve so much credit. They are teaching them things and giving them experiences that I couldn’t provide for them alone. More power to you if you home school. I think you are absolutely amazing. It just doesn’t work for me, so it means the world to me when I know their teachers care. If you haven’t thanked your children’s teachers lately – do it! They are a huge influence in your child’s life.
Grandparents give us the occasional date night, and Daddy puts the kids to bed when I have a lot of work to get done, but I have to give one more shout out to a big helper. My cell phone is my right hand man. That’s right, I’ll not above using technology to entertain my children. It’s been a long time since anyone has napped regularly in this house, and sometimes a grumpy boy just needs to watch dinosaur videos on YouTube.
