Questioning My Priorities:(

I suppose life wouldn't be exciting without a little contrast here and there. Learning to balance my goals along side of raising four children has become quite challenging lately. I am actually wondering if it's time to set aside some of my activities and develop more of a focus on my children. Obviously they are my first priority, but I do look forward to my personal time which I enjoy spending on my fitness career. It just seems like the more I excel in my accomplishments, the more my boys are slacking off in their studies at school. As a parent, this hits me like a gut punch. I take it very personally since much of their grade has been based on missing homework assignments.

My worries began a few weeks ago when my son's teacher called me in for an unexpected conference. She explained he has the potential to be such a great student, but he needs work focusing on his organization skills. My husband and I both came together as a team and have worked feverishly these past few weeks to get him back on track. Now that all is calm, I get an email from my other son's teacher asking me to join her for a conference today! I can only imagine we are in for a replay!

Next year I will have 3 children in 3 different schools as my daughter attends preschool, my middle son remains in elementary, and my oldest ventures off into middle school.  I panic even thinking of how my time management will have to be redistributed. The stress of it all falls back into my lap. As a mother do I need to set aside more time working with them side by side? I am only working part time, but it makes me feel so guilty.

Oh the woes of parenthood! Just think, they are not all in school yet! I still have a baby in diapers and the high school years are not even in sight yet. Don't get me wrong, I will always be proud of all my kids. I think we could all use this summer break to develop a structured schedule that will enable us to achieve our goals as a family.

Combustion!!

Yesterday seems a little surreal when I ponder back through the timeline of events. What seemed like a pleasant day surprisingly went completely off course without warning. The morning began with a quick shop at the grocery store where I sprinted through the store hoping to avoid contact with any candy or toys. Successfully we made it home in time to put everything away, get lunch, and some outdoor play in the garden. This is where the events of my day take a drastic turn.

I realize it is time to pick up my older boys from school due to half day Wednesdays issued by the school. The baby is super tired, but has no choice but to come along for the ride. I'm casually wearing flip flops, a swimsuit, and transparent coverup. All of a sudden I get a phone call from my eldest son's teacher asking me to park up and come inside for a short parent teacher conference. My eyes widen at the thought of meeting up with her in my muu-muu plus a carload of fussy tots. I reluctantly agree and race to get into the school. Out of now where, the baby vomits everywhere. Not once, not twice, but four times! I'm now sweaty and covered in curdled milk!

We eventually make it through the 5th grade classroom door where I am greeted by the teacher who looks even more shocked to see I have 4 children. She immediately tells me what a talented young man I have in a son, but he seems a bit lost sometimes and has trouble organizing his work. I try to stay focused as my daughter is holding herself whispering in my ear,"I gotta go wee wee!" The baby is squirming all over at this point whining. It is moments like this when you pray for the Earth to open up and swallow you! As the teacher continues, I can't help but think she must be observing my circumstances and comparing me with my son!

Eventually it all comes to an end and we leave with a better understanding of each other. Although my son felt embarrassed he knows no matter what I will always be by his side. I may juggle 4 children and a fitness career, but it's moments like these that make me who I am!