Writing this post is, to me, the equivalent of taking a broom to sweep out the cobwebs congregating in the corners of the room. I know it’s been awhile. Since mid-summer, the blog has remained dormant, with nary a new post to be seen.
(Image Courtesy of www.arizonaoddities.com)
Where’s the Six Pack been?
Well.. I wish I had a great reason to explain my absence. But the truth of it is really quite ordinary…
Life happened. And I was too busy maintaining it for lots of people.
We had a fairly uneventful summer. We did the ordinary things: visits to the local pool. Day trips to visit my sister and her newborn son. A visit to an amusement park. The playground. Bike riding. Etc.
I think the kids had a decent summer, which is always my priority. But for myself, it was a rough time. I think it was a combination of several factors, but for me personally, it was a:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ePIZugahFc
(Nailed it. Thank you, Bananarama.)
The Captain started a new job, which involved a drastic schedule change. So, the summer consisted of myself… home alone… with the six kids… day and night. Mix in extreme budget stress, mountains of laundry/dishes, children whining and/or arguing, the typical daily household catastrophes, and tears. Lots of tears (MINE).
And as a result, my blog suffered the most. As my summer gradually slid out of control, blogging slipped further and further away. Each night, after tucking the last child into bed, I’d ponder -briefly- writing a post.
But the reality is… it’s been too.damn.HARD.
You know that the basis of my blog is what life REALLY looks like with six kids. I share the reality of raising a big family. And I typically do it with humor, because not only do I truly enjoy humor, but it’s also a great method to share genuinely stressful or difficult experiences in a way that takes the sting out of it.
But I found that when trying to write a post, I couldn’t do it. I tried. But I couldn’t do it, because I couldn’t make it funny. I couldn’t make the current reality seem amusing, or entertaining.
That’s the part I don’t show. How sometimes it can be so hard, that there’s no humor in it. At ALL.
Here’s the rub. Parents, we all know that parenting -regardless of how many kids you have- is hard. I mean, reeaalllly hard. So we bond over that. We swap war stories, commiserate, chuckle, and sometimes cry.
And I do those things, too. But having as many kids as I do, I tend to try to minimize the grittier aspects, because even though some people are a little horrified by the prospect of taking on six kids, they assume you’re a SuperMom for doing it.
But I’m not. I’m an ordinary mom* (*Disclaimer: I do think all moms are amazing, however! We rock!) And it’s harder to complain, because everyone assumes that I:
- Have more patience (I don’t. More kids, maybe. But no more patience than anyone else.)
- Have the parenting thing nailed down (I don’t. At all. I’m faking it like the rest of you.)
- Have plenty of money to afford six kids (We don’t. It’s so precariously difficult. And stressful.)
- Am always in a good mood (I’m not. LOTS of the time, in fact. Because this gig is frigging HARD.)
So I find that I typically shy away from blatant complaining, because I expect the response to be something along the lines of, “Well… you CHOSE to have tons of kids, so…”
Image Courtesy of www.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk
But I do get upset sometimes. Yes, I adore my babies. I love having a big family. I think it’s made me a far better, hard-working and giving person than I ever would have been otherwise.
But lots of times, this job kicks my A$$. It’s unrelenting hard work, lots of pressure, and just plain exhausting. There are times when I feel like I’ve failed. Or when I feel like I haven’t done enough. Been enough. Planned enough.
There are days when I’m not nice. The days when I yell, because I’m overtired.
Frustrated.
Worried.
Overwhelmed.
Grumpy.
Feeling unappreciated.
There are days when I don’t have a smile on my face. The days when someone tells me, “I don’t know how you do it.”, and I want to respond, in tears, with, “I CAN’T do it TODAY. I just can’t…”
There are the days where nothing is funny. Those are the days when everything goes wrong, there’s still too much on the “To-Do” list, and not nearly enough time to ever do it. The days where I want to curl up into a ball and sob. And once in awhile, I did/do just that.
The second half of the summer was a massive sense of feeling like my handle on my household was slipping. The ship was taking on water, so the blogging was the first thing thrown overboard.
Sorry, y’all!
But back to the blog…
Writing has always been a great outlet for me- both entertaining and enriching. And I’m back. I’ve missed it, I’ve been wanting to post, and here we are. FINALLY.
(Image Courtesy of www.memegenerator.net)
© Copyright Six Pack Mom, All rights Reserved. Written For: SPM Writes
I just want to take a moment to tell you that you’re awesome! This is the first time I’ve commented on your blog. In reality, I haven’t been subscribed too long. I find you to be inspiring and strong. I appreciate all the hard work you do, day in and day out, to raise these little people and in turn make the world/society a better place.
I have 3 kids of my own, ages 7, 3 and almost 1 year. It is very hard some days, so I can only hope to imagine what 6 must be like. I am currently teetering on the fence of ‘should we have another child or not?’ If we decide to go for it, I want to go for it sooner rather than later. I’m just worried if I can handle it, physically… like having enough energy and time to do everything and be everything. If you have any advice for someone like me, I’m all ears. And if you don’t have any advice, that is okay too. My primary purpose for this comment was to let you know that I admire you.
Wow.. thank you!!! To receive such a kind comment like this means more to me than you know. I really appreciate your words, MK.
You rock, girl!
These days, people are tied to their electronics, their camera phones, their twitter,.. it was probably a nice reprieve to just live in the moment for a couple of months! I’ve been trying to do more and more of that every day. 🙂 But I am glad that your back! 🙂
Hey girl welcome back! You know I have been following you on periscope dang you have it together and you look great! I wouldn’t think in billion years you have 6 kids. I think you’re awesome! Stay strong and don’t worry about a thing!! Hugs!
My blog went MIA as well..and I only have 3 kids. Thank you for letting shit get real. Every momma out there appreciates it! No judgement! We’re all just doing the best that we can (:
I’m glad to be back… though I also blame Periscope for my absence… it gets addictive! But glad to catch you on there, and looking forward to being bloggy with you once again. 😉
So happy to have you back in bloggyland! Just love reading your blog. I’m glad you had a chance to spend time with your children over the Summer. Yes, parenting is tough. Like they say it takes a village! & then some????
Have a beautiful week!
Thank you, Jane- I’m happy to be back. I appreciate your kind comments. 🙂
Sounds like you had an interesting summer. Here’s to a less hectic autumn 🙂
From your mouth to God’s ears, girl…! 🙂
Welcome back! You’re a great writer! I love your authenticity. Maybe a break was just what you needed, now you can get back into the groove! You go girl, btw! Six kiddos!!!!
Thank you, Sara! That’s my hope. 🙂
I’m glad you are back! Your like sounds a lot like mine although I only have five kids and some of them are older now. The challenges just keep coming, it seems. Just like you, when things get tough my blog is the first thing to go. 🙁 But don’t think you have to be cheerful and funny all the time! We know there is another side to parenting and hearing other moms acknowledge that is validating!
Getting away is such a mixed blessing. It’s good for us, though, to occasionally stay away from the electronics! Hope you had an awesome summer!
Sounds like you’re doing an awesome job to me. It’s not easy staying home with 6 kids! There’s always challenges, but sounds like your life is really blessed.
Yes I know how it goes. Sometimes the blog just has to go on the back burner! Welcome Back!!
It is frigging hard, and not always fun, easy or funny! Some days there is absolutely no humor in parenting. Thank you for your candor as I tend to read other blogs and assume that all these moms have it together all the time and I’m missing something that makes me not so good at this whole mommy thing {which I love with all my heart!} I would love to have 6 kids but for now get 3! Thank you for sharing!
Being a mom is hard work and family always needs to come first. Blogging is fun but it’s hard work too. Keep your priorities in check and always do what is best for your family first!
Woo hoo, I got through to your website, and welcome back!
All moms do great no matter how many kids they have, and I think you are doing a great job. I love to blog too but sometimes I just have to let it coast for a while and set my priorities straight. As they say over here on my side of the world “Jia You!”, which means “add oil” ie perservere!!
Agatha, I’m glad you were able to log in! Thank you for your comment. And I LOVE that expression. “Add oil” might be my new self-motivating mantra!
Haven’t read the other comments but the beauty of your writing is you usually tell it as it is. And if that means your writing is sad well so be it. Don’t put on a front. You are more believable when you tell it as it is. Xxxwelcome back
Thank you, Suzi!
Glad to see you back at it Stephanie! I always love your honesty. Sometimes there is just nothing funny about being a parent. Hopefully with the masses in school you will find the time to share your amusing stories and creativity with us regularly!
I’m sure it was good for you and the kids, to take some time off from the blog. Glad you are back and know you will have lots to share. I’ve been really hit and miss, on my blog, because I have my young grandson visiting from Texas for several months. We hare having a blast but I struggle with finding time to get everything done (and I’m just the grandmother!). Enjoy those kids and we will be here when you are ready to share.