Ever seen this quote? “Busy busy busy busy busy busy DEAD”.
It’s a great reminder, especially for manic working mums, to slow down, which is exactly what I have NOT been doing this week. My spidey senses tell me that I’m probably not the only one around here! This week’s blog is about what happens when we (I mean “I”) get too busy. Read, shudder and learn, dear reader, shudder and learn.
Five Bad Things That Happen To You as a Working Mum When You Don’t Learn to Say “No”!
Ever heard the phrase “Physician, Heal Thyself”? Well, this particular Physician has most certainly not been taking her own medicine recently. Those of you who have been reading this blog for a while will know that I frequently stress the importance that working mums learn to say “no”. You’ve heard it before; saying “no” is a crucial time management technique for working mums.
I knew I was guilty of not actually “walking my talk” when, during a conversation with 2 other mums from school the other week, I offered to help with something and one of them said “Amanda, you’ll help with anything, bless you. Keep your head down”.
I believe it’s important to contribute to the community and the wider world, but discernment is key here for working mums. Without boring you with the details, I could be doing better on the discernment front. What about you?
What happens to a working mum when she keeps saying “Yes” without discernment? This is my own experience, but I wonder if any of these are familiar to you too?
- Things fall down cracks
On Monday morning, I forgot that Freddie had a school trip. I was focused on getting to a friend’s house for 8am for a “Let’s Bike” meeting – something I’d volunteered to help with. It wasn’t until I got to her house and saw her daughter in non-uniform that I remembered. Actually, that’s not true. I had to ask her why her daughter wasn’t wearing uniform. This resulted in a frantic phone call to DH, who had to turn back from work to collect and deliver Freddie’s clothes for a trip to the forest. - You are disorganised
On Monday night, Max announced that he hadn’t done his homework, so I ended up helping him with it last minute. Max tends to remember his homework at the 11th hour unless I remind and cajole him to get on with it, which I generally do. When life gets this manic, I’m not on top of things like homework. - You look a little unhinged
Babbling about scarecrows, asking people the same questions twice, I’m trying to keep all the plates spinning and quite frankly, I have probably appeared slightly potty at times this week. - You don’t spend quality time with your children
Instead of reading stories, kicking back and relaxing or just being there to listen to the boys, it’s been rushing around catching up on things and not paying attention to them. - You become sleep deprived
Apart from all the physical and psychological effects of sleep deprivation, one doesn’t look good without enough sleep, even with a generous application of polyfilla.
The Moral of this Sorry Tale
I don’t believe that we should always be internally focused and I’m all for contribution. However, it’s important not to keep saying “yes” without first understanding the size of what you are saying “yes” to. Consider the impact of “yes” on other areas of your life and if you can handle it with everything else you are juggling as a working mum.
Epilogue
I’m saying “no” to everything except chillin’ out, larking around with my boys, eating and drinking this Jubilee Bank Holiday Weekend.
What will you say”No” to this weekend? And what will you say “Yes” to?
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being a successful working mummy is all about finding that perfect work/life balance…great post