Friday, June 18, 2010

Am I a failure?

Growing up I always thought I wanted to be a teacher and a mom. As long as I can remember those were my "dreams." Then when I started attending CCG in middle school and meeting so many families such as the Allens I learned that I could be "just a Mom." I had no idea a woman could work at home caring for her family. So that then became my dream. I would go to college to be a teacher (which turned into children's ministry) and be a stay at home mom! Well I did that. Here I am 3 kids later wondering what I was thinking. After the first 2 I still felt like I was handling it well but after Caleb entered the world I realized it was gonna be so much harder. Im sure it is bc they are SO close in age but I cant change that so here I stood...3 AWESOME kids 3 and under! In the beginning I was completely overwhelmed by a newborn, potty training barely 2 yr old, and a very jealous tantrum throwing 3 year old. It was hard!!! I never thought I would get through it. I would say Im through it but really Im not. It's just different challenges with the same AWESOME 3 kids! After 8-10 weeks though it all seemed more normal and a way of life. I would go through spurts of confidence and then spurts of feeling completely overwhelmed. What causes those sudden feelings of being overwhelmed...demands/responsibilites adding up. Ive always wanted to be the Mom who took care of all the housework, laundry, cooking, taking care of the kids, homeschooling, and whatever else came natural for me. That is exactly what I do just add on that the bill paying, money keeping and accounting for the business. Then upon marrying Scott who had a great Mother who did everything for her kids I felt like I had to do the same for Scott. Well several times these last 8 months Ive hit a bottom and have gone to Scott frustrated and out of gas asking for help but not a clue how he could help. This last week I hit another one of those points and was determined that I couldnt do it again to me or my family. I become so cranky and withdrawn until one night Im in tears. This last time I realized I feel like a failure. I have so much on my plate but I cannot handle it but as a mom I feel like I should be able to. It is not like Scott isnt willing to help I just never asked. I never felt like these were his responsibilities so never asked. If I ever asked Scott to do any type of cleaning he would without a bit of complaining bc that was another great thing about his mother...she taught her boys how to help around the house. Plus he is naturally a helper. So am I failure? I feel like it but Scott says Im not and I know God says Im not. There is only so much time in a day and taking care of my AWESOME kids is number one on my list and just playing with them so the rest gets pushed back until I become overwhelmed. I guess in that aspect Im not a failure bc I do have my priorites straight however I am a failure at being humble and asking for help. I have promised Scott that when I am behind on housework I will tell him so that he can help bc he doesnt have a clue what needs to be done when but does know how to do it. I just thought Scott should offer so as not to sound like a nag but he actually prefers to be asked so that is what Ive committed too so that in 2 months we dont go through all of this again. I LOVE my husband and 3 little kids more than anything in the world and am so amazingly blessed for some unknown reason and want to do my best at being a Mom so that Ryan, Bekah, and Caleb all grow up to love and serve Jesus Christ with their whole hearts in order to honor HIM!! I want Scott and I to model a Christian marriage so that one day each of them will be so truly blessed as well by our Great Lord and Savior!!!

3 comments:

Kimi said...

Jennifer, all I can say is I can totally relate. It is a humbling road, and I'm learning some of the very same things right now! Thanks for your open-ness and honesty! You aren't alone, sista! :)

Andrea said...

I wasn't sure what I was going to say, but now I know: "What Kimi said". You are doing your best, Jennifer, and that's all you can do. God will honor that.

thecolonelswife said...

your openness and heart is beautiful. you nearly brought me to tears! love you jenn :)