What Did You Do Today?

“What did you do today?”. . . . it’s a question that every stay at home mama hears.  On a good day, it means how was your day?  Buuuuuut, on a bad day, it can mean a number of negative things: why isn’t more done, why is this place a mess, what’s going on with the crazy kids?  I’ve learned the hard way that the second method of negative interpretation can really be my own attitude taking over and making me doubt my abilities.  Who doesn’t, this mommy thing is a tough job! 

This week has been a doozy–the girls have been sick off and on, my husband’s been working longer hours, and I’m in the first trimester of pregnancy so exhausted doesn’t even cover what I’m feeling.  So, the other day I decided I would take a closer look at my day and look at what i really DID get done. Rather than looking at the mess, I’d look at the things I accomplished.  So, for those of you wondering (hello husband), here are just a few things I did today!

Today 12
Today 11
Today 5
  • I managed to unload and load the dishwasher with 4 extra, little, “helping” hands.  As those with littles know, that also means I caught dropping plates, stopped little legs from crawling in and on the dishwasher, pulled clean silverware out of mouths and placed in the dishwasher to be rewashed, and eventually got everything in drawers (even things that had been pulled out that didn’t start in the dishwasher).
  • I kept this little lady from jumping off the bottom 2 stairs about a million times, and helped both little ladies practice crawling up and down those same 2 stairs (as well as the rest behind the gate) at least a dozen more times.  Time for me to start wearing my fitbit again because I guarantee you I get miles on those stairs alone!
Today 4
Today 3
  • I washed and folded two loads of laundry with those same “helpers”.  That means I refolded and resorted piles at least 3 times–so really, the equivalent of at least 5 loads of laundry I’d say.

  • I caused any number of meltdowns by saying “no-no” or “let’s play with something else” and then distracted and redirected each meltdown.  On this particular day the floor vents were hot ticket items to pick up and try to climb into (note to self–more baby proofing needed).
  • I keep forgetting I did the “normal” things required to function too.  I made a dinner that can be thrown in the oven quickly as my husband walks in the door and the girls hit witching hour.  All that goes into changing and clothing 2 wiggly babies, including a number of diapers that seem to get dirty right after I’ve put on a new one.  And, finally, feeding these nuggets and myself–I had NO IDEA I’d spend so much time cutting up small pieces of food and have to fight to find time to feed myself. 

What I didn’t get photos of because I was too busy having fun and living in the moment with my girls: ALL the HUGS, SNUGGLES, LEARNING through play, and LOVE!!

When I look back at this list & the fact that we’re all alive, smiling, and happy when my husband walks in the door I’d say it was a pretty productive day.  So if he asks “What did you do today?” I’m hoping I don’t tear myself down and interpret it for what he means: how was your day?  More importantly I hope I remember not to doubt my abilities on the bad days.  

Megan
Megan was born and raised in Omaha; she tried to go "away" for college but it only took her about 2 hours west to Hastings College. After graduating and not wanting to get a "real job" she pursued graduate school at UNL and finished with a Masters in Child Development. She began working as an Early Childhood Program Evaluator and eventually met her CPA husband, Dan. In July their lives changed when they welcomed two beautiful baby girls, Mackenzie & Savannah. After more than 9 years in her professional position Megan left to stay home and currently considers her position as the "Keeper of Chaos" in the household to be the most important job she'll ever get the privilege to have. When she's not chasing after newly crawling twin babies or figuring out how this whole mom thing works, she enjoys the small things: a drink on the porch, walks with her family, roaming Target alone, candy bar lattes, and listening to audiobooks.

1 COMMENT

  1. Oh, you have described the toddler days so well! Now that my kids are teens, I look back on the toddler days with nostalgia — even though those days can be tough, they are sweet. Mundane tasks and everyday occurrences, viewed with a good perspective become teachable moments, times of reinforcing family unity and security for our children. Good job, Mama! Sounds like you are rockin’ it!

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