Workaholics: Mothers & Forgotten Families (Part 2 of 2)

It’s easy to point the finger at the guy or gal who is working overtime – pushing the limits to provide for life’s comforts – and occasionally, its luxuries. It’s easy to say that their family is suffering because they aren’t putting first things first. What about us mothers? Is it possible that we’re neglecting to fulfill our roles appropriately because we’re putting too much on ourselves? Are we getting overloaded with unnecessary distractions and forgetting to put emphasis and attention on what’s truly important?

I know it’s easy to get caught up in the little things, household chores, errands, helping someone with this project, getting the kids to this activity or that sport, etc. What I think many of us are forgetting is to breathe, relax, and just be with our families. To not rush through it all, but enjoy and roll in the togetherness and the time that we’ve been given. We need more family togetherness, more teaching moments, more play, and less of those things that pull us away from each other. I love what Rachel Keller said, “All I can say is simplify, simplify, simplify, easier said than done but we are so much happier when we are living the simple life, not keeping up with everyone else when it comes to what we have and what we do.”

We don’t have to do it all, and it is often the case, that we’re much happier when we don’t. It seems to me that it’s better to just do the basics well. What are the basics? I believe that they are individual to each family – but somewhere in there you may find:

1. Teaching & practicing with your children the things that matter. God, Strong Morals & Ethics, How to love & serve, Responsible living, etc.
2. Family Time. Eating meals together, having activities together, learning together, REGULARLY – DAILY.
3. Providing the essentials and I do mean the essentials – Secure home, clothing, good education, healthcare, basic resources for successful/healthy living.
   
   

Another aspect of this that jumps out at me is our children. What are we teaching them by running around crazy with our crazy schedules? Are we allowing our kids to become workaholics themselves, taking on too many extracurricular activities? Are we teaching by example that doing "everything" is more important than taking time for each other? Or are we teaching them that family comes first?

The other stuff – is just extra. We have to ask ourselves – are we focusing on and fulfilling the things that are most important, or are we being overburdened and distracted by the extra? The other effect from having too much of the extra is that with the extra comes more responsibility for the parent – it increases cost & sacrifices time. Often, the thing that we as women and mothers sacrifice is ourselves, our special time. Somewhere in all of the busyness of life, we need to remember to journal, go on a date, say a personal prayer, read the scriptures, exercise a talent, and set goals for further growth. Now all we have to do is figure out how we can cut back some of the extra and magnify the simple, so that we may find a little extra peace and a lot more family togetherness.

Discussion: What things help you to evaluate where to cut back?

Workaholics: Part 1

Written By: Marzee Dyer
Photo By: Andrew Scott

27 years of age, Marzee has never been much farther than the green puddles of the Northwest (Oregon & Washington, USA). She has been happily married to Jon for seven years, is a stay at home mother of three, college student, and youth mentor. She is the founder of WomenAfire. Hobbies: Singing at church, dancing with her kids, hangin' with her husband, fitness, teaching, reading (Stephenie Meyer) & writing.