Supply and Demand

I thought that this would be a funny way of descibing how I feel lately...
Obviously, there is only one of me, but I feel like there needs to be a few more in order for my home to be a little more sane!! There is so much to do... Food to prepare, dishes, laundry, errands, grocery shopping, answering non-stop questions, field trips, school projects, homework (well maybe not right now :), love to give, affection to show, boo-boos to heal, squabbles to mediate, dressing, bathing, and then we still have to fit in fun time!!! Why can't there be more hours in a day?

Does anyone remember Senior Year Economics Class in High School? I know we probably all had an incurable case of "Senior-itis" when we were required to take this class, but think back with me if you will... Do you remember how we learned 'The Law of Supply and Demand'? That when demand goes up, prices go up? Well, if that was the case in my house, I'd would be worth a TON!! I guess what I'm trying to say is that I feel like I am in really high demand lately... So much so, that there really isn't enough of me to go around. Hence, my silly collage of myself... If there was several of me, things would run much more smoothly.

Even though my kids do plenty of chores and they are pretty responsible, I find myself doing so much for them. They rely on me for so many things all day every day. Does every mom feel this way? Or do I need to cut the 'apron strings'?

I had a conversation with some girlfriends recently that made me wonder... We were talking about our morning routines and how I am not a morning person, but I manage fine because I don't have a choice. A typical school morning at our house goes something like this... I lay my kid's clothes out, I fix their hair, I make them breakfast, and I make their lunches. Then I drive them to school (or carpool does). I was definately in the minority in this group! I came to realize that most of my friends don't do all of these things. Their kids take care of themselves for the most part and they don't have such a huge role to play in their kids' morning routines. I think that's awesome, but I wondered... "Am I crazy?" I am interested to know what other moms think...

I guess in my mind I have had to answer my own questions by realizing how much I love being a mom. It's all I have ever wanted to do. We only had two kids for quite a while before Bella was born and I remember people always asked us if we were having more kids. I knew I wanted more, but wondered if I could be the involved mother that I wanted to be with 3, 4, or 5 kids. Well, I guess I can... and I am! Even though it's exhausting, I love it!! I love that my kids need me... I have a feeling that one day they will no longer rely on me so much and I will be sad about that. I have eternity to know them as grown-ups, but only a short time to know them as children. So, I want to make the most of that time and be the best mom I can be!

Even though it would be nice if there were more of me to go around, I am happy just where I'm at. (A maid or a personal chef wouldn't hurt though :) It's too bad that as mothers we don't get a monetary return on our investment. My 'supply and demand' theory would really pay off here! Hahaha!

But, the real payoff is better... Seeing my children learn and grow and love me and each other. Watching them be good kids and care for others... That's the best return I could ask for!