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Juggling, Not Balancing: The Reality of Parenting
On the surface, my life seems like a carefully orchestrated performance. I have a loving partner, three delightful kids, a job I adore that allows me to work from home, engaging hobbies, good health, a cozy house, wonderful friends, and an encouraging community. Oh, and did I mention we home-school? When I lay it all out, it sounds pretty impressive, right?
People often ask me how I manage to juggle everything, and my answer is always the same. First, I suppress a laugh while I try not to spit, and then I say, “I don’t.”
No, that’s not false humility. The truth is, I’m not balancing anything—not even a little.
The idea of balance in parenting is laughable. The notion that all the different aspects of my life could seamlessly coexist on a regular basis? Hilarious! Sure, I employ various strategies to keep things running as smoothly as possible, but as any parent knows, “smoothly” can still mean a bumpy ride.
Whether you work from home or stay at home, or whether your kids are in school or not, being a parent is a whirlwind of activity. I prefer to think of my life in terms of juggling. It’s all about the constant motion, bouncing from one task to another while trying to maintain focus. Up, down, and all around—those balls are always flying in a somewhat chaotic manner, caught just in time before I reach for the next one that’s about to drop.
As I look at my life, I realize I have nine major “balls” in the air: marriage, parenting, home-schooling, work, hobbies, health, household management, friendships, and community involvement. I cherish every single one of these elements; they are essential to my well-being. Even my hobbies, which might seem frivolous, are actually crucial for my self-care. When I drop that ball, the impact ripples through the rest of my life.
And yes, I do drop the balls—constantly! It feels like they’re scattering everywhere, all the time. Some of this is my own doing; I did choose most of these commitments. Yet, none of them are negotiable.
If I neglect my health, it affects my ability to juggle everything else. Stopping home-schooling would just mean switching to a different educational ball for my kids, which wouldn’t really solve anything. My marriage and kids? Those are non-negotiable priorities. Work is both a necessity and a source of personal satisfaction. The state of my house? That ball often hits the ground, which is fine (mostly) because a tidy home does make juggling easier. Community involvement may slip at times, but I want to maintain that connection—especially to set a good example for my kids. As for friendships? I refuse to drop that ball on purpose; they energize me to keep juggling.
So there you have it: nine balls, and at least one of them hits the floor almost every day. But you know what? That’s perfectly fine. I looked up the world record for juggling nine balls—55 seconds. That’s right! Even a professional juggler can’t keep nine balls in the air for more than a minute.
So, if you feel like you’re constantly dropping balls, or that it’s impossible to keep everything in balance, don’t worry! That’s just the reality of parenting. Each child you add changes the dynamics of the rest of your responsibilities. Each relationship, work project, community engagement, and school obligation introduces new variables. You’re always adjusting, and that’s just part of the juggling act.
The secret is to embrace juggling for what it is. Perfection isn’t the goal; even the best jugglers have their off moments. Aim to keep all the balls in the air, but acknowledge that some will inevitably fall. Just pick them back up and see if you can keep them going a little longer next time. And remember, if you’ve managed to juggle for longer than 55 seconds, you’re already doing better than the pros!
If you’re interested in more insights on parenting and family planning, check out this insightful post on home insemination or learn more about artificial insemination kits—they’re great resources for anyone considering their options. Additionally, for comprehensive information on fertility and pregnancy, Hopkins Medicine is an excellent resource.
Summary
Juggling the various aspects of parenting and life can feel overwhelming, but it’s a normal part of the journey. Instead of striving for an impossible balance, embrace the art of juggling. Prioritize what matters most, accept that some balls will drop, and keep moving forward!