How I’m Surviving Summer Vacation with My 6 Kids by Sara Gallor
We just moved, again (!) and camp is long over. The start of school got delayed due to construction and I now have 11 more days til regular routine begins. After a trip to the library with all my children ranging in ages from 13 to 1, I felt like I hit rock bottom. My husband is so busy trying to set up our new home and I’m so busy trying to keep my children occupied, keeping the older ones from biting each other’s heads off whilst taking care of the younger ones with their constant kvetching from boredom. And also remembering to eat and drink my coffee before my caffeine headache kicks in.
I came home and tried getting a few children into their baths and thought about how being a mother is hardest when there isn’t anything out there to do.
Then, a miracle. For that brief moment, I found myself alone. I locked my bedroom door and thought about what I should do… Should I write to a friend saying “HELP!”? Call someone? WhatsApp a funny gif? Then, I realized, maybe I should just talk to Hashem. Truth was, that’s all I really had time for.
So right then and there I poured out my heart, telling Him that we have 11 more days of this and I have absolutely no clue how I’m going to stay sane for so long. I have no idea what to do with my kids, how to keep them busy, where to take them, and I have boxes everywhere that need to be unpacked along with all those other things mothers have to do to get a new house in order. And I can’t even find the time to breathe in between my kids’ requests.
And I sat there quiet, thinking. And it just came to me. The words my mom always tells me: “You do your best and Hashem will do the rest.” I felt like Hashem was telling me that I just have to do my best and then HE will take care of the rest.
What is my best? I quickly pulled out a pen to start writing. My “best” would be to put on a cheerful face (fake it), act lovingly to my children, and make sure I stay afloat.
I felt that I had made a deal with Hashem. If I could manage those 3 things, He would do the rest for me. I don’t have to worry about HOW the week is going to work out, I just have to try my best to be the mom I want to be and the rest will be up to Him.
I left my room a changed person. All I had to do was smile and stay afloat – that’s it!
With Hashem’s help, the next 11 days are going to be WONDERFUL!
Go for it!!!!!!!
Beautiful! Thanks for the nachas! Truth is, Sara, I would attribute your decision to be happy to the all the spiritual you have done YOURSELF, but it is sweet of you to acknowledge your “old” mom (and dad, of course..)! Keep up the great work!! And thank you, Jewish Mom, for publishing this and thank you, Hashem for such a wonderful daughter!
much nachas!
Yashir Koach!!!! You are Wonderful b¨H