The 4th Category

My sweet sister-in-law, Julie, did a cute post about the crazy life of a young mom and her theory about the three categories of moms. http://uschristensens.blogspot.com/2008/04/secret-is-out.html

I would like to add a category. It's the category that I fall into: The To-Do Mom.

The To-Do Mom has a million things to do. She sometimes has a list--it helps to keep her organized, but mostly because since she had children she has somehow lost her memory completely and needs the list to remember pretty much anything. Somedays she skips said list and finds the to-do's all around her. While putting away the laundry, she sees some toys that need to be picked up. While putting the toys away she notices something that was stolen from her office and puts it away. While in her office, she realizes a bill is due today. Jumping online to pay the bill she decides to check her email. Checking her email she realizes the time and grabs the baby, who first needs a diaper change, and then packs the kids into the car to pick up her child from school. And so on and so on.

The To-Do Mom is not really great at cleaning or cooking and unfortunately, with so many things that have to be done, sometimes playdates fall by the wayside (especially during tax time, since she also does all the family financials.)

It makes me sad sometimes that I'm not a better cook, or that I let my kids watch too much TV or play too many video games so that I can get things done. But I have realized since reading Julie's post and thinking of my own category, that I do get a sense of satisfaction out of accomplishing a lot of To-Do's during a day. For me, that does feel great. I guess I've always been that way, with school, work, and hobbies as I was growing up. But I do have days when I tuck my kids into bed and think, "They are growing up too fast. I need to slow down and enjoy them more."

Unfortunately, I don't think I will ever be able to change that I am a "To-Do" girl. But what I am going to try to do instead is put "play date" at the top of my list.