Wow! I feel like I've been gone for YEARS from this space. Sorry about that. My day job (which turned into a night-job when I was overseas) got the better of me and it's been hard to find the time to sleep, nevermind write a coherent sentence on this blog. I was going to post on parenting styles today (following some requests in the comments section): differences among authoritarian, authoritative and permissive parenting and some of the child outcomes associated with these styles. But I'm going to be lame and just say tune in tomorrow because I can't finish it yet.
For now, as I'm catching my breath, I'm wondering: What do YOU let go of when everything becomes overwhelming (in other words, when 24 hours can't possibly cover the things you need/want to do in a day)? And what do you never, ever compromise?
For me, the three things that go to hell when I've got too much work to do are sleep, writing this blog and exercising. (This past week, I can also add: emailing back friends, reading blogs, reading books, cooking, eating or drinking anything other than bread, butter, cheese and wine). The two things I almost never compromise (if I have any teeny-tiny bit of choice) is time with my kids on the weekend (I don't work until they're asleep) and deadlines my boss has set for me. What about you?
My "triad of needs" is healthy eating, sleep, and exercise. I have noticed that as long as I keep two of the three things going I feel okay. If I actually get adequate rest, eat healthy, and exercise three days a week I feel fabulous!
My rule is that ideally I get all three but if I can't maintain even two then it is time to reexamine my priorities and cut down on commitments. have learned that if I keep myself centered and feeling good I am a much better wife and mother.
Posted by: Sarah V | February 24, 2010 at 01:47 PM
Sleep. I shouldn't, but sleep goes. Housework follows. If I'm really burned out I call in sick and get myself a day to be catatonic.
I don't compromise on exercise or time with Frances.
Posted by: Andrea | February 24, 2010 at 02:07 PM
Well seeing I'm a SAHM with biggish kids (3&5)this rarely happens unless I'm down with something that confines me to the bedroom (a flu/stomach bug, not Clive Owen). Sleep is the last thing to go when I'm really knackered. The first, the house and a cooked meal.
Posted by: paola | February 24, 2010 at 02:16 PM
I never compromise on sleep if I really need it. And of course spending time with my son is always a priority. Since sleep is such a huge time-sucker, everything else goes down the drain.
Posted by: Liz | February 24, 2010 at 03:00 PM
I don't get enough sleep yet for me to deliberately let anything take any more away from that.
First to go for me are housework then cooking healthy. Oh and exercise but that's been pushed off so much I forget it should even be on.
I don't think I have a last thing - everything is negotiable. Actually, escaping to the computer is probably the thing I hang on to. MUCH more important than cleaning!
The other night my son slept amazingly well and I managed to get 8 hrs (broken, of course) of sleep for I think the 2nd time in over 2 years. And MY GOD what a difference it made!!! (It seems it was a one-off tho. The little tease.)
Posted by: Tor | February 24, 2010 at 06:09 PM
@Tor: I SO remember the first few times I eeked out more than 3 or 4 hours of sleep. Glorious and yet scary how different I felt... Hope there's many more nights like that for you very soon.
Posted by: Isabela | February 24, 2010 at 08:15 PM
Cloth diapering - I drop it at even the thought of being stressed for time. Then computer time, other housework, exercise, sleep, reading... Come to think of it I don't think I have watched tv in over a year now, but I don't miss it. I love Sarah V's triad of needs! That makes so much sense, but I would have to incorporate spending time with the kids.
Posted by: Mia | February 24, 2010 at 08:44 PM
Reading, housework, those are the things I drop.
I still have very young kids, and am giving myself a pass on exercise until the baby isn't nursing so much. Once that comes back in, it is also (sadly) one of the first things to go.
Posted by: Cloud | February 25, 2010 at 12:26 AM
Dishes are the first thing to go. I tell ya, I just can't get motivated to do them when anything else is calling my name. Snuggling with my kid is sacred though - don't mess with that. She's young enough that she still wants a cuddle now and then and I know that too soon she'll be off exploring and want nothing to do with me so I'm milking it now for all it's worth.
Posted by: Miranda | February 25, 2010 at 12:13 PM
Housework is my first thing to go. Unfortunately, the next two things to go are time by/for myself (playing on the computer and/or watching TV) and time with my husband (watching shows together or, um, other things).
The must haves for me are sleep, time with my kids and washing up at night. Not always in that order.
Posted by: caramama | February 25, 2010 at 03:34 PM
Things that go: cleaning/housework of any kind, cooking from scratch, and (unfortunately) quality time with my husband, both in bed and out of it.
Exercise is currently a dream for the future, otherwise it too would be on the list!
Posted by: Irene | February 25, 2010 at 04:19 PM
Ahaha I forgot quality time with husband should be on the list too cos it's been so long!
Posted by: Tor | February 25, 2010 at 04:30 PM