Overcommitted, Overbalanced :: Mom2Mom

Mom2Mom: a conversation between Moms about 

the hard points of this motherhood journey.

My full calendar wore me out last week.  Seriously.  Twice this month I've had packed weeks and twice I've ended up with migraine headaches at the end of the week.  I'm starting to think I'm a little overcommitted.


What are my overcommitted symptoms?

Tell me if any of these sound familiar:

• I dread going to activities that I enjoyed at the beginning of the school year.
• I throw together lessons for my weekly home school co-op class the night before.
• I stay up until midnight every night trying to "catch-up."
• I throw together lessons for my son's Cub Scout group hours before I lead them.
• I use videos to keep my children entertained.
• I'm grouchy, short-tempered, and easily frustrated.

What caused my overbalance?

I didn't become overbalanced all at once.  It happened bit by bit. 

I gradually took on responsibilities at my kid's extracurricular activities.  I decided to participate in a local home school co-op and to teach one of the classes my boys attended.  Then we signed Will up for Cub Scouts and, due to a limited supply of volunteers, I agreed to lead every 3rd meeting for his den.

I increased my blogging activities.  I set a goal for myself to blog 4-5 times a week.  I also accepted more responsibilities at Offering Hospitality as Carrie, the editor, prepares for the birth of her third child.  Then I set up a Facebook page for SMB to provide another avenue for connecting with readers.

I cut out exercising, cooking healthy meals and consistent quiet times in order to fit in everything else.  Why is it that when we start getting ourselves stretched thin we cut out the activities that we need most?!  The physical result of no exercise and too many Domino's pizzas has been an extra 5-8 pounds and one pants size.  The spiritual result is less tangible but no less felt.


How do I stop being stretched thin?

The problem is that all of my activities are good ones.  They each add to family life, teach my children something new, or provide a creative outlet for me.  So, how do I pick and choose where to spend my time?  Clearly something has to give, and soon!

Are you also overcommitted?  How do you keep life in balance?  I'd love to discuss this further in the comments!

Me Time (Part 2) :: Mom2Mom

A conversation between Moms about the hard points of this motherhood journey.

A couple of days after last week's Mom2Mom post published I went back and read it.  And I realized that what published wasn't really what had been on my heart to write.  Somehow it ended up being a tip or how-to post when really I wanted to write a from-the-heart post.  So I'm giving it another try today.

Today's Mom2Mom conversation is: Me Time.


Honestly, the concept of "me time" has always made me uncomfortable.  Back before I had children (aka when I knew everything), I listened with horror as moms talked about needing a break from their children.  I so desperately wanted to be a mom that the idea of gleefully leaving my child with a sitter so I could pursue my own agenda sounded self-centered.

After all, isn't self-denial and sacrifice the primary requirements in the Mom job description?!

Then I became a mom.  You would think that my view of "Me Time" would have changed.  But it didn't.

I still thought "Me Time" was selfish, only now I felt guilty because I wanted it so badly!  If I went out with a friend and left my family at home, guilt set in.  If I sequestered myself in my bedroom after my husband came home from work, guilt set in.  If I left my family for an entire day or overnight, I tried to make it up to them and ignore the guilt!

But, as any caregiver will tell you, if you don't take time for refreshment and renewal you will burn out. 

I think that's what happened to me about two years ago.  I just plain burned out.  Six years of meeting the needs of my family 24/7 had used up about everything I had to give.

I didn't have an epiphany or any kind of dramatic moment.  I just slowly started changing how I view "Me Time."  Now I see it as something that's necessary for my own well being. 


Me Time isn't about fulfilling my own needs or wants. 

If I get focused on what 'I' want and what 'I' need then I'm probably going to become frustrated with the people and events that get in my way.  I'm going to require my family to make sacrifices that aren't in their best interest so that I can get what I want.  In that case, Me Time is selfish, and I've so been there!

Me Time is about gaining perspective and a clear view of my life. 

When I have a girls night out with my friend and we talk about all the crazy and annoying stuff our kids do, then I come home with the perspective that my kids are normal and healthy.  And that they aren't trying to make me lose my mind on purpose.

When I spend an occasional night away from my family, then I come home with a greater appreciation for sweet bedtime hugs and snuggles.

When I spend an evening secluded in my bedroom reading a book, then I feel creative and energetic for having fun as a family.

So, if you are early in your journey as a mom, let me share my heart - this is a marathon not a sprint.  Take a break from mothering every once in a while and reposition your perspective.  Your family will benefit just as much as you will.

What is your opinion on Me Time?  Selfish or Needed?  Do you take regular breaks or is it hard to find the time?

Organizing a Pantry with Wire Shelves

Okay, Steph, I need to pick your Mommy Brain. My kitchen pantry is a total mess, and one of the big reasons is that the built in shelves aren't solid. They are those wire things with the plastic covering. They look just like those stackable kinds (wires go from front to back), but mine is the entire pantry. What would you do so that things don't fall through?

-Alicia, on Facebook.

Funny you should ask, Alicia!

I have installed plastic-coated wire closet systems in my kitchen pantry, linen/hall closet, and 2 out of 3 bedroom closets.  I LOVE wire closet systems!

Closets and pantries with fixed shelves often end up with unused vertical space.  Mine are adjustable but Alicia's shelves are all 18 inches apart. That can result in a lot of empty space so the key is to find ways to fill that space but still be easily accessible.

Vertical organizers can help fill the space.

The Neu Home Can Organizer looks like a great way to organize canned goods vertically.  I found this one on the Walmart website.  It's under 13 inches in height and $30 in price.  I'm sure there are similar products from other retailers.

I see that the side supports run the same direction as the wires on the shelves but a hard piece of plastic, or cheap cookie sheet places underneath would solve that problem.

This corner storage rack would also make great use of vertical space.  It's under 18 inches tall so it would fit between the shelves.

I'm not sure how sturdy it would be for canned goods but it looks good for boxes of pasta laid on their side.  And at $13 it's not a bad price.




Hanging baskets also fill vertical space.

I couldn't find an example online but I own 2 of them so I know they exist.  These baskets are made of the same wire as the shelves.  They have 2 firm "arms" that slide over the top of a shelf and the basket hangs below it.  You would need something firm (like a flat baking pan) on the shelf to keep the arms from sliding through.  These would be good above stacked canned goods.

Baskets contain small items.

Canvas bins or baskets are very popular right now.  They come in all sizes, shapes and colors.  The key to maximizing space is to keep the sides as vertical as possible.  Slanted sides will create empty space.

Even though these bins are slanted I like that they have a space for labels.  This can be helpful when organizing pantry items by use.  For example, a bin for baking items (baking soda, baking powder, salt, chocolate chips, muffin papers, etc.) or a bin for spaghetti night (pasta, sauce, mushrooms, etc.) or a bin for various seasonings and spices.

If you prefer the look of baskets, these Hyacinth baskets come in several shapes and sizes.

I think they would be perfect for storing bags of chips, boxes of raisins, or individually wrapped snack foods taken out of their large boxes.

I personally use super cheap (we're talking $1 each) plastic baskets from Wal-Mart.


One basket contains all the small baking ingredients my husband needs for our weekly Sunday night pancakes.  He just grabs the basket instead of asking me what happened to the baking powder.

I use another cheap kind of plastic basket to keep small things from falling through the wires or getting lost.

Items like taco seasoning packets or Kool-Aid packages slip between the wires so a basket of some kind keeps me from losing any.

I also keep my frequently used spices in the basket; such as garlic powder, Italian seasoning, chili powder.


Do you use wire shelves in your closets or pantry?  How do/would you organize for fixed shelves and small items?





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