Aug 22, 2023
743
Wellness
The Motherload: Let them eat cake for breakfast
“Mom, I want cake for breakfast,”
Find your peace in the chaotic seasons of life
“Mom, I want cake for breakfast,” I hear my 2-year-old scream from the kitchen as I wrestle on my skirt, grab my work bag, and head for the stairs.
Ah, the back-to-school season – the time of year when your carefully balanced deck of cards, aka your family schedule, gets hit by a tornado.
With three kids, each with their own jam-packed agendas, navigating the chaos is like trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube blindfolded.
The morning rush: An exercise in patience
I remember when I was in my 20s and I’d sit down to a leisurely breakfast before heading out for the day. Those days are long gone. Now, I’m finding socks, slinging sandwiches, and signing permission slips while reminding my partner of the day’s extracurricular activities. I might manage a bite of toast if I'm lucky, but let’s be real – takeout coffee and a migraine is usually all I get.
Getting everyone dressed is the first adventure. The little one refuses to cooperate unless the seams of her socks are perfectly placed, the middle one can’t stay clean, and the oldest refuses to wear pants no matter the temperature. And don’t forget the dog, who somehow always manages to escape during the morning madness and requires a quick, impromptu chase around the neighborhood.
Once everyone is at school and daycare, I can finally tackle my own work, and with little to no breakfast, I’m usually running on nothing but caffeine and sheer determination. Thank goodness for the flattened protein bars that can always be found at the bottom of my purse.
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After I’ve answered what seems like a thousand emails and tackled several project deadlines, I leave and start the afternoon juggling act: school pickups, soccer practice, medical appointments, last-minute homework assignments, dinnertime, bathtime, and storytime. By the time bedtime arrives, I'm three hours past exhaustion.
Adopt a new mindset: Finding peace amidst the chaos
As a 40-something mother of three trying to navigate the chaos, I am my own worst critic. This year, I’m starting the school year off with a different mindset – and you should, too!
Here’s the plan:
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I will adjust my sleep schedule to ensure I’m ready for the day. By waking up an hour earlier, I can ensure I’m not a frantic mess when the alarm clock goes off.
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Finally, I am going to breathe. Being a parent is hard, but I am determined to find my peace and count my blessings.
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I’m going to manage my family’s medical appointments through MyChart. With easy access to health information, medical bills and the ability to communicate directly with our TidalHealth providers, this is a no-brainer. If you are a TidalHealth patient, I highly recommend it. It's easy to sign up for MyChart, learn more today.
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Finally, I am going to breathe. Being a parent is hard, but I am determined to find my peace and count my blessings.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to talk to your primary care provider; they can offer relaxation tips, prescribe medication, or refer you to someone you can talk to. Convenient online scheduling makes it easy for new patients to schedule an appointment today.
Embrace imperfections and realize the beauty of real life
As the school year begins, it’s important to remember that perfection is an illusion. At the end of the day, all the little imperfections are what make life truly beautiful. So, the next time you’re running late, and nothing seems to be going right, take a deep breath and let them eat cake for breakfast.
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