A sales rep at work asked me a question that got me thinking. "How do you do it all?" She was referring to the two jobs I'm doing at work; not all the other little roles I have there, being a mother and wife, and going to school. I gave a simple answer. Sometimes it just works. But that's hardly the whole story.
Doing so much doesn't just "work". It doesn't fall into place, it's hard. So how do I do it? First and foremost is my husband of course for the emotional support. I couldn't ask for someone more supportive of everything I'm doing (or attempting).
When it comes to the "doing" all. The. Time. That would have to go to my in-laws. Forget the conjured images from Monster In Law or the hilarious yet embarrassing situations from Meet The Parents, my in-laws do more than anything I've ever expected.
They watch Duck when I'm at work or school. They also watch her while I'm trying to study or when I'm going to visit Working Man in the hospital. It doesn't get any more helpful than that. They hold the world outside of work together.
At work it's my boss who watches out. She knows when I've got too much, even when I don't know it.
So the reality is, "I" don't do it all. In the same way that no (wo)man is an island, I do not do it all. I have enormous amounts of help. While it's hard to take it sometimes, we all must be willing to accept help when it's needed and even more, we must be willing to ask.
-FFR
