i think it's great he asked you to "google it" and not to "ChatGPT it!" So there is that. Now for advice. For me ... I was always about museums. There are so many and so many different kinds and many have great kids programs and I was always inspired by being around art of any kind (good for creativity inspo) so it was good for both of us! Even the children's museums were fun and inspiring with clever exhibits! And ...carving out time only for you and in small bits weekly (like you somehow do for writing) ✍️ is the way to feel a little normal among the chaos. I used to do my best work between 9pm- midnight when everyone else in the house was sleeping or watching TV. And BTW you are doing great, Nicole. Keep writing. These columns are gonna be a book one day !!!
The thing is: you are big and important to your kids. You are their whole world. But it feels like you sacrifice your whole big world to become theirs. Keep your dreams alive and do a tiny bit toward them every day (or every few days). Go to bed at 7 pm if you need to! Your energy will come back as their worlds enlarge and include more than you...
Hey Nicole, this is truly relateable and for some one who is so high on ambition, it gets difficult. i am at the exact phase of life where you are. I have started to purposely block some time only for myself and my thoughts. it is a great way to connect with yourself. my 7 year old and 2 year old keep my hands full once they are up. but i also practice self love diligently to keep myself sane.! more power to you :) for our kids, we are the Hornet :) isn't that beautiful ..
My husband and I are schlepping our kids (1 and 4) to NYC for a few days of adventure and chaos. I love NYC and I’m tired of waiting to go back. There is no perfect time. I often feel like a rat in a maze in my own home, and having something like this to look forward to opens my world back up again. And makes me feel less like a rat.
I'm so far past your stage of life but I read this and it instantly drew me back to those days! The magical, amazing, mind-numbing, soul-sucking days of taking care of my babies. "The days are long but the years are short" and you will come out stronger. So I guess my "advice," such as it is, is 1) to take the long view and recognize this is actually a very short season of your life - kind of like grad school. You're not Sisyphus forever... 2) try and plan breaks in your schedule where you can be diverted mentally like going to a movie, coffee shop or library alone. Collapsing from exhaustion is not a break... (Have you seen the pics of honey bees sleeping on flowers when they're tired? I felt that so much!) Hang in there - it's not an easy time of life - and I'm sure you're a massive hornet to your children and family!
i think it's great he asked you to "google it" and not to "ChatGPT it!" So there is that. Now for advice. For me ... I was always about museums. There are so many and so many different kinds and many have great kids programs and I was always inspired by being around art of any kind (good for creativity inspo) so it was good for both of us! Even the children's museums were fun and inspiring with clever exhibits! And ...carving out time only for you and in small bits weekly (like you somehow do for writing) ✍️ is the way to feel a little normal among the chaos. I used to do my best work between 9pm- midnight when everyone else in the house was sleeping or watching TV. And BTW you are doing great, Nicole. Keep writing. These columns are gonna be a book one day !!!
You are the best! I will drink some more coffee and try your working hours.
The thing is: you are big and important to your kids. You are their whole world. But it feels like you sacrifice your whole big world to become theirs. Keep your dreams alive and do a tiny bit toward them every day (or every few days). Go to bed at 7 pm if you need to! Your energy will come back as their worlds enlarge and include more than you...
💕💕💕💕💕
Don’t forget that your comedic voice is THERE in the trenches of young mothering, among the diapers and the dust. Lucky us who get to watch it grow!
friend <3
Hey Nicole, this is truly relateable and for some one who is so high on ambition, it gets difficult. i am at the exact phase of life where you are. I have started to purposely block some time only for myself and my thoughts. it is a great way to connect with yourself. my 7 year old and 2 year old keep my hands full once they are up. but i also practice self love diligently to keep myself sane.! more power to you :) for our kids, we are the Hornet :) isn't that beautiful ..
You're definitely a hornet to me.
feel this!
Incredibly relatable!
your words truly paint the picture!
My husband and I are schlepping our kids (1 and 4) to NYC for a few days of adventure and chaos. I love NYC and I’m tired of waiting to go back. There is no perfect time. I often feel like a rat in a maze in my own home, and having something like this to look forward to opens my world back up again. And makes me feel less like a rat.
We have done this, and it's awesome.
I'm so far past your stage of life but I read this and it instantly drew me back to those days! The magical, amazing, mind-numbing, soul-sucking days of taking care of my babies. "The days are long but the years are short" and you will come out stronger. So I guess my "advice," such as it is, is 1) to take the long view and recognize this is actually a very short season of your life - kind of like grad school. You're not Sisyphus forever... 2) try and plan breaks in your schedule where you can be diverted mentally like going to a movie, coffee shop or library alone. Collapsing from exhaustion is not a break... (Have you seen the pics of honey bees sleeping on flowers when they're tired? I felt that so much!) Hang in there - it's not an easy time of life - and I'm sure you're a massive hornet to your children and family!
Honeybees sleeping on flowers googling now!