Last night our Women’s Ministry offered some casual encouragement for women of all seasons who are trying to juggle their responsibilities and find balance. A panel of 5 gals shared honest confessions about what they’ve tried, what throws them off, and what works. I had the fun of moderating … ala the Presidential debates. By the way … have you heard that Candy Crowley of CNN will be facilitating the October 16th Presidential debate in New York? She’s the first woman since 1992. Oddly enough, she’ll be asking the same question to her TWO people that I asked last night to my five: “What do you know about how to get it together before it all falls apart?”  😉 I think I had more fun last night than Candy will!

Back to School time tends to throw a lot of us into a tailspin of new routines. Even those without kids at home find themselves making adjustments for school traffic and buses. I want to pass along some of what our illustrious panel shared and some of what spilled out as we all admitted how we try to keep life from unraveling.  I wish I could remember it all, but here are the questions we asked and some snapshots of the nuggets they shared.

How to Get it Together at Home

• What pieces of your schedule change seasonally? ~ Definitely school starting, but also “vacation season,” holidays, and Tax season. As seasons of life change, the schedule changes, too:  elderly relative moving in, college kids moving away, husband retiring, moving to a new place, job change, kids marrying, etc.
• What’s the first thing “to go” when things get crazy? ~ Housework, husbands, and taking care of ourselves topped the list.
• Ever had a moment when you thought you couldn’t handle things any more? ~ “Yesterday and last week” popped out first. We don’t have to look far behind to see a time when we were overwhelmed.
• Do you have a personal habit that helps you manage your home? ~ Menu/recipe planning, night-time chats with children, daily devotions, use of a planner, wipe off task lists for morning prep, keeping a Bible on a book stand on the counter for reading, and so many more. Girlfriends are great resources for ideas!
• What’s your #1 most valued organizational tool or trick? ~ Good old spiral planner, chore packs for kids, calendar on phone, Google calendar, tossing junk mail OUTSIDE before it comes INSIDE
• Have you ever tried to start a pattern/idea that failed? ~ Sewing projects, scrap-booking, menu planning, controlling all the shoes, to name a few …
• What would you say to women as they face the challenges of balance and as the school year begins? ~ Don’t sweat the small stuff. Know your priorities. Ask God each day to guide you in the use of your time. Give yourself much grace; God does.

 

Thanks to Julie H, Kim R, Tara D, Karen M, and Tina A for sharing from your lives.

So what would YOU say about how to “get it together before it all falls apart?” Have you learned anything from your attempts to balance the challenges?