Yesterday afternoon I had to take the kids out to the commissary. Our main mission was to get baby wipes. Will was O-U-T! And he’s one kid that should never be out of wipes. He poops more than any other baby I’ve ever met!
Anyway, I decided that since we were out and I really didn’t feel like cooking, we would just pick something up and bring it home. This means drive-thru. And since there’s only one drive-thru on post, it also means Burger King.
When we got home, I attempted to get the girls (they can walk themselves, but need guidance crossing the street, of course), Will (who is very adamant about trying to walk himself just like his big sisters, but DEFINITELY needs hand holding as we are crossing the street), and their food in.
After crossing the street and making it safely to the sidewalk in front of our buiding my neighbor who I’ve never had a real conversation with stopped me to talk.
The main thrust of the conversation was “I just don’t see how you do it.” IT being taking care of three chidren under three by myself while my husband is deployed.
I get that question a lot.
I pretty much always have.
In case you’re wondering the same thing, this is what I told her and it’s really the best answer I have….I don’t really know HOW I do IT, I just do. I don’t really have a choice, it has to be done, and I’m the one for the job.
Let me also add that I do it with a lot of prayer and dependence on the Lord. I barely make it through the days when I haven’t spent my morning with Him and try to do things on my own.
My neighbor continued on about how she sees me with the kids coming and going from the building and tells her husband that she doesn’t see how I do IT. And she offered help.
She also mentioned that she has a teenage daughter that likes to babysit. Which is just wonderful, because I’ve been looking for a teenage girl that wants to babysit.
She mentioned that her daughter babysat a lot at Ft. Campbell and we started talking about how we miss Ft. Campbell and what a great post it was.
As we were talking, Will and EA started grabbing french fries out of our brown paper sack from Burger King and eating them.
I was just trying to wrap the conversation up when……RRRIIIIIPPPPPPPPP….the brown paper sack from Burger King tore in half and french fries went EVERYWHERE, covering the sidewalk we were standing on.
All three of my children started crying and screaming. Will was first. Mary Catherine was second with blood curdling screams and EA followed their lead. I think EA was just trying to contribute with some sympathy cries.
I couldn’t do anything but stand there and laugh!!!
In fact, I think it was the best laugh I’ve had in a long time.
Yes, my neighbor who was wondering “how I did it” got to witness total and complete chaos ensue over some lost fries.
Maybe one of the keys to “doing it” is learning to laugh at yourself and finding the humor in your situation….maybe.
What do you think?
How do you do IT…whatever IT is in your life?
and
Have you learned to laugh at yourself?
Suzanne says
We really can’t do anything on our own strength, eh? I’m so glad you’re committed to being the best wife and mother you can be and knowing that it takes daily reliance on God. That is so refreshing!
I am blessed that Duncan doesn’t travel for long periods, but I do spend a lot of time with single/widowed moms and wives of deployed soldiers – and I always cringe when people make the comment of “I don’t know how you do it” – as I know it’s not their choice, but they’re doing the best they can and relying on God’s strength to get them through the day(s).
May you continue to be a blessing as you share your life with so many people and set such a good example for your children! They are blessed to have you as a mother and Keith is blessed to have you as a wife. Keep on keeping on!
LifeatTheCircus says
This was a great post. I agree that laughing at the situations is the best way… I won’t even pretend that my “it” is as challenging as yours, since my husband isn’t deployed and I get an extra set of hands every night and I can pick up the phone throughout the day when I need advice or a quick listening ear. However, when I am out and about with my crew of 3 under 4, I too get comments like, “My you have your hands full” or “How do you do it?” And I agree, you just do it. I remember when I only had one child and I would see people at the store with two, I would wonder how they managed b/c I felt so totally overwhelmed shopping with one. Then I had my daughter. Shortly after my third. I sometimes think, Ok, I can handle this, but how could I handle 4. I think the answer is, God gives you what you need to handle the task at hand and not more.
I also love to laugh at life. Because it is just soo funny. And it isn’t worth it to stress out about the small stuff. I just did a post about our trip to the vet that left me laughing for sure.
Keep up the great work Monica!!
Pat says
I think humor is the best way to get through any “it”! When your children get to be teens, you will need lots of humor to keep from pulling your hair out. You are right though about doing what you have to do because there are no other options. You do what has to be done. I think this says a lot about what a wonderful parent you are by being able to laugh during this situation rather than getting all upset which would only make the children more upset and doesn’t accomplish anything. It also is a great model for your children to see how you handle certain situations. You are wonderful!
Stacy Owings says
Great post Monica! I get that question, and the simple answer is “I just do”. I have a tendency to blow up and pitch bigger fits than either of my boys unless I just focus on putting one foot in front of the other. I plan ahead the best I can, but I have to take baby steps to get to the goal. Humor is EVERYTHING to getting through the trials and the funtimes of small children. If you don’t laugh, you will probably cry right along with them.
MaryLu says
I think you are right. The key is not to take hings so seriously. When Bear is deployedof off at long periods of training, I get so serious and cranky. I’ll have to remember that this coming week, he’ll be at work and school from 0630 to 2300 all week.
And lots of prayer helps too.
Nancy says
You have to be able to laugh at the small things like that. If you don’t you’ll probably go crazy. You’re also right, you just do the things you have to do. It’s not really magical. It is sometimes hard.