Finding Balance at the MomCon in Pittsburgh

Women have a lot on their plates, and I’m not just talking about my soon-to-be birthday plate that had better be overflowing with lasagna, cake, and ice cream. I’m basically the human version of Garfield the Cat.

Anyway, no, I’m talking about our proverbial plates that are piled so high with responsibility and worry that we never know where to start.

Should I tackle the kids’ clothes that need sorted by size and season?
Maybe I should clean those bathrooms because, yeah…
Work has been super busy; I should stay an extra hour or so.
What’s for dinner tonight?!

It’s not unusual for a mom to feel overwhelmed, especially because we often overwhelm ourselves. Raise your hand if you have trouble saying “NO.”

PTA volunteer? Sure!
Working the concession stand at the boy’s soccer game? I’m on it!
Making gift bags for the whole class and the teachers? No problem.

Personally, my kids are young enough that I don’t have many of the aforementioned tasks on my plate, but I do have work-related stuffs to contend with. The full-time job, the writing job, the mom/wife/housekeeper job. It’s a wonder more of us don’t just disappear in the middle of the night only to show up on a peaceful deserted island with a book and a beer. See ya, former life! This sun and sand suit me just fine!

This life, these jobs, those kids are demanding. And if we don’t take a breather and find time for us, we’ll likely burn out.

But how do we schedule “me time” into our day? How do we find that elusive balance the experts claim is key to living a happy, healthy life? I don’t have the answer, but I do have some pretty fantastic gal pals who are offering up some suggestions:

 

Beth of  The Cult of Perfect Motherhood:

I work hard, then when I need a break, I take one. Like one weekend last year, I checked into a hotel and just wrote and drank martinis for two days. I came home refreshed and ready to kick some butt in mom and work life. It was rad. (And) figuring out the priorities and putting those first has helped a lot. Also not being too proud to ask for help.

 

Jessica of Herd Management:

When I’m completely burned out on something, like laundry or writing, I just ignore it and have learned to not feel bad about it. Then I come back to it when I’m less put off by it. Also I have learned to just say to hell with everything when I’m exhausted and sit on the couch with my kids for an afternoon. Enjoy them… The laundry and filthy house can wait. And I resent things less when I don’t let them control me.

 

Meredith of From Meredith to Mommy:

1. You are never “finished” finding balance. You’re always calibrating. What worked last year isn’t the same as what works this year.

2) Know that you can’t be everything to everyone. Some days I clean before bed. Other days taking a bubble bath is more important. 

3. Balance means forgiving yourself. 

4. Keep the important things in the air. When I was working part time I was either disappointing my principal or feeling like a bad mom. But in the grand scheme of things, being a principal pet didn’t matter. 

5. Babysitters, especially regularly scheduled babysitters, are what let’s me feel back in balance.

 

Kristen of Abandoning Pretense:

(My life has) ebbs and flows and I obsess over different things at different times, in cycles. Fortunately being a SAHM permits me to do that. I try to always put my kids first but I think like most of us, every now and then I need to check out, and I do. Oh and I jog a lot too, because, like the bumper stickers say, it’s cheaper than therapy. (I actually) like that life is not perfectly balanced.

 

Stacia of Dried-On Milk:

Ok so I work full time and so does my hubs. His commute is 3 hours round trip a day. (Editor’s note: that’s a ridonkulous commute!) Mine is like 10 minutes, so the majority of kid stuff falls onto me. Baths, dinner, homework, housework, etc. Hubs pulls his weight as much as he can. When I’m burnt out we have cereal for dinner… Probably happens at least once a week. I stop doing whatever it is that’s an extra in my life, like blogging, when other things become more important. 

 

Deva of My Lifesuckers:

(Life) has forced (me) to slow down. I was forced to “let it go.” I used to fold and put away all the kid’s clothes. Now I just leave them in the laundry basket for the kids to forage through if I don’t have the time. I find I have to pick my battles and I have learned I can’t win them all.

 

Kathryn Leehane of Foxy Wine Pocket:

Balance? What’s balance? I have no clue–I’ve got a To-Do list a mile long. I’ve got 10 extra pounds. But my kids are happy and healthy (including my husband), and my work is going well enough. So that’s enough balance for me. Too soon the kids will be out of the house, and I’ll wish I had “balance” to strive for.

 

Jennifer of Real Life Parenting:

When I need to find balance, I leave my husband and kids and go spend a few days with (my girlfriends). [Editor’s note: Jen will be at The Mom Con with ME!!! Balance at its finest, people!]

 

And here’s my two cents: Join me, Jen, and so many other fabulous women at The Mom Con this weekend. What’s Mom Con, you say?

The Mom Con was born out of a simple concept: there are two sides to every mom. You love your kids, but you have your own goals as a woman. A vision you have for your life.

 

The Mom Con is comprised of an incredible group of women who are going to help you create or clarify that vision. Come join like-minded ladies on November 14 (which just happens to be my birthday, ahem) and November 15, and get yo’self balanced and inspired. I promise, you won’t be disappointed!

View a list of the speakers HERE, check out the schedule of events HERE, and register for only $59 HERE. If you register with the PROMO code momcon5off, you’ll get $5 off registration. You could, hypothetically, use that extra $5 to buy me something for my birthday.

OR

Leave a comment here or on my Facebook page about WHY you want to attend and just win yourself a free ticket!*

 

Boo-yeah for free stuff!

If you’re not sold on WHY you should register, allow me. By attending the Mom Con you’ll get:

• A day to yourself. A day of education + story-sharing led by, for and with other moms like you. Lots of laughs. A yummy lunch. Snacks + beverages throughout. Free, no-hassle parking.
• Inspiration.  Each of our speakers has a different focus and will be there to answer any questions you have. It’s a “conference” but it’s also highly interactive.
• Momentum. You’ll come away from the Mom Con feeling inspired + recharged. You’ll learn meaningful things about yourself, and you’ll come away with new ideas, skills and steps you can take home with you.
• Surprises. Maybe you’ll win one of our giveaways. Maybe you’ll make a new best friend.  [Editor’s note: maybe I’ll be your BFF? Depends if you get me anything for my birthday…] Maybe you’ll find the courage to start that thing you’ve always wanted to do. Or quit that thing you didn’t think you could.

 

Find The Mom Con on Twitter by using the hashtags #momswhorock and #themomcon, and for more social media fun, like The Mom Con Facebook page.

 

 

*I will randomly choose a winner based on the number of entries (my kid is going to pull a number out of a hat. Legit, right?) on WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12TH. Subscribe to the comments and make sure you check the email you use when commenting so I can contact you with your FREEEEE TICKETTTT! Yell that like Oprah. 

 

This content has been sponsored by the MomCon. However, all opinions remain my own.