I Don’t Know How She Does It

Last Updated on March 20, 2018

I saw an ad for a new movie entitled, I Don’t Know How She Does It.

I have a secret to share.

She DOESN”T!

In the last few weeks, my family has experienced many changes. One of the greatest is that we have moved to a new city, but still do not have a home. Therefore, we are staying with my sister’s family. Fortunately, things have gone well for us. My sister and I have spent many years cultivating a friendship, and we both entered this arrangement with a similar attitude: It’s not about me.

It’s been an interesting study in parenting. I’ve often looked at women who seem to have it together and wondered how they do it. You’ve seen them. The A+ volunteer and working-lady extraordinaire who takes her mothering in stride and seems to roll through each task with ease. In full makeup, even. From the outside, my sister looks like one of those ladies. (And let me tell you … I do not.)

However, living with her, I can see what it takes to be that kind of mom. Lots.  Working together as a team, we have found that we have this mothering gig more under control. While she works, I get dinner prepared. When she runs one child to an activity, I pick up another. If she has a meeting, I stay with the kids. While she talks to a committee, I clean up the flood Rachel started in the bathroom.  Believe it or not, we have still had to call in Grandma and Grandpa to help with the kid balancing act. That is with my hubby fully engaged, too. It’s no small undertaking.

So the next time you see that “has-it-all-together mom,” take heart. She might have a team of peeps behind her…

(If you are like me and feel as though you are always behind yourself, one of the things I have done in recent years to help me get more on top of my life is to reduce. I reduce my activities and reduce the amount of “stuff” in our house. Oh, and give yourself a break. You are only one person!)

Jennifer Dyer

Jennifer Dyer has an M.S. in Communications Disorders, which served her well in her professional career as a speech-language pathologist. Never did she imagine that her education and career were God’s way of preparing her to be a mom to her own daughter with autism. Today, she enjoys reaching out to other families who face similar diagnoses. As a cancer survivor, carpet-cleaning veteran, and originator of the “Messy House Ministry,” Jennifer feels blessed to share joy, peace, and humor with others facing life’s challenges. She is mom to two beautiful daughters and is thankful to be raising them, serving other families with unique needs, and using her gift of writing and speaking to minister to others. Jennifer is also the author of a youth fiction book series and is trusting God with His timing on publication. Jennifer has been a mom for 11 years. She and Brandon have been married for 13 years.

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