A group of girlfriends and I are currently doing weight watchers together. During our latest weigh-in meeting, someone commented that losing weight is a lot of work. You need to prepare grocery lists; plan meals; cook in advance; exercise; not to mention think before every bite you place in your mouth and then write down exactly what you ate. It is very different from the old, carefree way of just eating without thinking; but if you want to be healthy, you need to put in the effort.
I recently realized that being an organized mom has many parallels with the process of shifting to a healthy eating plan. It is hard work. You have to write things down before you forget. You have to spend time and energy planning your week in advance. I have been known to spend 10 minutes staring at a spread in my momAgenda, just trying to figure out how I am going to make it all work. It takes way more effort than simply being a mom without thinking.
As much as I would love to think of myself as a freewheeling, carefree mom, the fact is that is not the case. I work really hard at the planning and organizing that goes into being a good mom. A recent article mentioned that Michelle Obama sometimes pencils “play” into her day planner; I love that she has the forethought to plan her day right down to play time with her girls! Because so often, if it isn’t planned, it doesn’t get done.
The discipline of planning and organizing (for me at least) is learned, not natural, but so worth it. I am not going back to the days of missed play dates and doctors appointments, because I know the hard work I put into being a more organized mom, actually makes me a better mom.