I Don’t Know How She Does It . . .

Last updated on: October 31, 2011 at 9:30 am by Amy Julia Becker

I Don’t Know How She Does It . . . 2011-10-31T09:30:34-04:00 Amy Julia Becker

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Marilee and I just returned from a 5 day road trip to Richmond, Virginia. We had a packed itinerary–two book readings on Wednesday night, talks to a women’s Bible study on Thursday morning and a church forum Thursday night, participation in a “Maker’s” series with other artists on Friday night, two parenting classes on Sunday morning and a different event Sunday night. She had some one-on-one time with her mom, which is rather rare. She got her first kiss from a dog. She propped herself up on both knees in preparation for crawling for the first time. It was a great trip. We got in at midnight last night.

I was staying with a friend in Richmond who is at home with her baby, who is just about the same age as Marilee. “I don’t know how you do it,” she said.

And for once, the answer to that comment seemed very obvious. “I don’t.”

I mean that in two ways. One, I watched my friend with her son and I thought, I don’t know if I have ever sat with Marilee on my lap and read her a book. I don’t know that I’ve ever pointed out animals and their noises. I wasn’t feeling guilty about these things, but I was very aware that my station in life–both as a mother of three but also as a woman who is working part time with a nine-month old–dictates less individual attention to my youngest child. I don’t do “it,” if by it we mean some idealized version of parenting and vocation. Every choice I make to spend time with our children limits what I can do professionally, and vice versa.

I also don’t do “it” because I am not alone. I have twenty hours per week of child care with a wonderful woman who considers herself a member of our family. Between our babysitter, Peter, and my mother, father, sisters and brothers-in-law, Penny and William had a wonderful weekend without Mom.

I don’t do it all. And I don’t do it alone. And it seems to be working out.

family

work/life balance

Previous Post

October 28, 2011

Everything I Ever Needed to Learn . . .

Next Post

November 1, 2011 I Missed the Halloween Party ?!?

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Articles Books Disability Down Syndrome Faith family Perfectly Human Uncategorized

Select a Month February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 September 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz