Being a mom is...

HARD!

There, I said it.

It's not easy.
If you, or someone you know, say it is, then I would LOVE to know the secret to your success!!

I do admit, that some days are easier than others, but my reason for this post stems from my 4am wake-up call this morning...

Nano was yelling from his crib, across the house, and I slowly made my way to his room.

He wanted to get out.

Really?! Do you have to go to the bathroom? (He's been out of diapers for almost 2 weeks)

No.

Ok, do you need a drink of water? 

No. I want some bread.

Seriously?!?

I've learned to honor his requests so we don't have a major meltdown and wake up the other sleeping children. So, with a "piece" of bread, sip of water, we made our way back to his crib. I put him in.

I want you to read me a story.

Are you kidding? (I thought this, because, like I said, I've learned to just do what he asks--it's the easier option).

So, I do my best to read him the story he handed me, with only his dim nightlight to guide my eyes. (Yes, he has a stock of books in his crib, along with about 10 other toys/stuffed animals he shares the bed with. Don't ask me--it's a fetish he has that I can't seem to understand).

And only then am I able to leave his room without him crying out again.

My head falls on my pillow and I think...being a mom is hard!

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We have four boys.

They have only one volume level.....LOUD!

There is no quiet, or soft, or even mute...nope, just. plain. loud.

If you've ever been in a small room with screaming, loud laughter, make believe noises of guns or fighting or calling out, then you can understand how my stress level seems to rise every time the decibel count exceeds 60 (the typical number for a regular speaking voice).

I seriously have to put ear plugs in some days to keep my sanity level at bay.

Of course, it doesn't help that there are 6 bodies in our 1300 sq. ft. rental home. But, you do with what you have and what you can afford. These circumstances are a part of life and something I cannot change at this present time.

The only thing I can change is how I respond to such noise levels. And I will tell you honestly, it is NOT easy to be calm during these outbreaks. Sure, it's so nice to see the boys playing together, using their imaginations, but it is dang hard to concentrate on anything but watching them when they are expressing themselves in loud tones. Some days, it takes every ounce of energy not to raise my voice above theirs just to be heard, and obeyed.

During times like this, I think....being a mom is hard!

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I recently started my own business as a fitness coach for Beachbody. It's my way of helping our family get out of debt. As a mother of four children who all demand my attention--especially when they're hungry--I have to prioritize my time and activities each day.

I have to manage my time very carefully when I want to put effort into the business. I have found that waking up at 5am each morning I am able to get work done for about an hour and a half and then fit my workout in during the next 30 minutes, shower and get ready, all before I send our oldest off to school.

Does that happen, as planned, each morning?

Of course!!

haha...just kidding. Of course it doesn't!

I have to be super flexible when it comes to early rising children, a hungry baby, or even lack of sleep on  my part that leads me to hit snooze one too many times and fall behind in my schedule.

Do I want to be successful at this business?

Yes.

Do I want to be more successful as a mother?

YES!

Balancing my time and efforts takes practice and sometimes trial and error. Being a stay at home mom that works from home is not the right fit for everyone. I have to decide each day if it's worth it to  me to get up so early and go to bed so late so I can work when the kids are sleeping. I have to decide if it's worth it to sacrifice sleep, relaxing time in front of the TV, taking naps, and having an uber clean house, in order to supplement my husband's income to help us become financially free.

It's days like this (usually 6 out of 7 days) that I think...being a mom is hard!

But is it worth it?

YES!