I think the biggest lesson I have learned from having a child is that of priorities.

I used to do whatever I felt like doing. There were things I had to get done and things I wanted to do and it was always a battle between them, but I would weave my way through my time with whatever I felt inspired to do next. Now I feel like I’m living in triage. Okay, I have ONE HOUR and ten things that need doing. What do I absolutely have to get done today?

If I want to read a book? Dishes don’t get washed. Take a shower? No reading then. Tackle that overgrown mess that used to be a garden? No scrapbooking will be touched.

I constantly have a priorities list tacked to the inside of my skull, planning out exactly what is of most importance for the day. I try to get things done while Kate’s awake and participating. Now meals are a shared event instead of me trying to sneak something in while she naps, which actually makes it a lot easier for me. Anything that requires me to be on my feet and moving are usually acceptable to her, so laundry, dishes, minor cleaning. Except days when she’s not feeling well, then she just clings to my leg crying when I try to do anything at all. (Funny enough those are also the days that I can’t wait until Den gets home so I can hand her over and escape. To the kitchen. Because I am lame and there are dishes and laundry to do.)

One of the harder things to learn is that stuff just doesn’t need to get done. I try to do the dishes, I make us food, I pick up cat fur and try to shepherd toys back into their respective corners (it’s a never-ending battle). Laundry gets washed, but tends to get stuck in bins around the house. Scrubbing, mopping, organizing kitchen cabinets? Not going to happen. I could do it, but that would mean I’d have to sacrifice something – like my sanity. Yes it feels kind of bad to be reading or scrapbooking when there is clutter all over the countertops and the cinnamon is in the wrong cupboard. But I need that. Everyone needs that, I think. Enjoying an hour of quiet really should be appreciated.

I find myself constantly asking myself, “Is this what I want to spend my hour on? Is this worth my time?” Often the answer is “no.” It’s easy to get sucked into stupid things online. I get highly irritated when Kate wakes up and I realize I’ve done absolutely nothing I wanted to do.

And when the husband asks why that bill didn’t get paid I realize I need to put bill paying higher on the priority list. (Most are set to automatic, so the few that aren’t get the short stick.)

Now excuse me, scrapbooking is high on my priority list this week. I need to get it done by Kate’s birthday!