Balance

Let's just get the cliche over with:  Life is a balancing act.  As mothers we already know that.  Who gets attention when?  Laundry or clean the bathrooms because there isn't time for both?  Who's soccer game am I supposed to be at today?  Or is there a field hockey game?  As if it wasn't hard enough, shall we add in those adult kids?

I have a great deal of trouble in this matter.  Oh, the laundry and bathrooms, I gave those up a long time ago.  As a homeschooling mom as well, something has to go...it is usually the housework.  It is messy, but I draw the line at dirty!  As a mother of eight, juggling who needs attention is another matter altogether.  It is one of the arguments I hear from people opposed to our family size.  Not that it is anyone's business but according to all the signs we are doing all right.  I am having  a heck of a time adding in these older kids.  How do I weight the troubles?  The older ones have real problems.  Cramping during pregnancy, broken down car, these can't wait.  But to the younger ones, their problems are just as big.  As adults we know that some of the 'problems' of a six year old are only real to them.  But to them they are really real and must be addressed.  Obviously the serious stuff must come first.  But what about the not quite serious stuff?  And what about that date night that Dad needs?  I could keep going round and round for pages yet.  My heart and brain run like a Nascar pacer. 
 
The Holy Spirit has been kind to me.  Those three older ones, they help immensely.  Somehow they often prioritize for me with an 'it can be after the soccer game', or 'I can cook supper if you want to take care of the hole in that favorite stuffed animal', or 'I don't know if this can wait'.  Oh, I was blessed with amazing children. 

Some days I get everyone taken care of almost before they knew they needed it.  And then there are those days when someone texts for help and I have left my cell in some undisclosed place.  Those first days are not consolation for those latter ones even when the neglected child understands or is triumphant without me.  I guess the Holy Spirit still has some work to do on me.