I laugh at my naive twenty-one year old self. She really had no idea.
So, after college I got a job in sales, worked my way up, got married, and had three kids. Check.
We put money in our 401k and in a college savings for the kids. Check.
Retire in one short year, not even close.
I did not account for overwhelming costs of life: tuition, travel ball, electronics for five, insurance for everything, cable, grocery, and Target bills, and every single thing else.
In the meantime, I still have to negotiate each minute of the day. I just did not realize how hard it would be to raise a child, or two, or three. I did not realize that I would be tired, all the time. I can only give about 70% to work, 80% to my kids, 60% to my husband, and about 15% to myself. That adds up to 2.25 people. I lose my footing, which my husband lovingly calls “acting like an insane person.” My kids have witnessed me crying over spilt milk, in the literal sense. People ask me all the time, “How do you do it all?” The honest answer is: I don’t. I just do what I can until the next day. I am extremely fortunate to have family, friends, and employees that help make up the difference. I don’t like to ask for help, and with them, I never have to.
I celebrate it all. The schedules, the work, the cleaning, the homework, the ballgames; they make my life whole. My children are beautiful. My job is fulfilling. My husband supports me. My parents are proud of me. My cup is full.
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