Finding Balance
DEAR SHERRY:
How do I find a balance while taking care of 3 kids who are of different ages and have very different needs; one with special needs, a teenager, and a toddler, while also trying to find time to be with my spouse and develop a career?
Sincerely,
WONDER WOMAN
DEAR WONDER WOMAN:
Remember Wonder Woman and her superpowers? Summon her superpowers to achieve this balance!
The best gift that you can give to yourself and your family is to take care of yourself. Finding balance is not an easy feat, but you can start by using your tiara to make sure you carve out time for yourself to recharge. The better you feel, the more fluid your house will run, as everyone in your home picks up on your energy.
Teleport to a quiet place to focus on your career. If you are home, let everyone know they are not to disturb you while you are working.
Tap into your supreme wisdom to figure out how to structure your time. Perhaps only work when the kids are in school. Maybe two nights a week you can sit with your husband on the couch for an hour to connect and then go out for a date night every other week.
Use your magic bracelets to deflect anyone or anything that tries to interfere with you and your spouse enjoying a regular date night. Weekly date nights might be difficult, but acts of kindness and affectionate gestures will help you feel connected with each other. It is vital that your children see a healthy example of a married couple. It helps them to form a sense of security, and your marital relationship forms a template for what their intimate relationships will look like when they are older.
Use your superhuman strength to bring everyone together for meals and family time. Even if everyone is in different stages, there is nothing more valuable than a close-knit family. Watch a movie (give everyone an opportunity to choose), go on drives, go to the beach or to a park together.
You will then need to get your lasso and wrap it around your family to help them see the truth, that the household will run better if everyone chips in. Assign everyone chores and responsibilities. Ask others in The Justice League to assist you, and hire someone if you need to. Pay your teenager to watch the toddler.
With your mental and physical agility, seek connection and joy in routines, like bath time, meal prep, and pick up and drop off at school and activities.
Use your mental telepathy to remind yourself that it is the quality of the moment spent, not the quantity. Kids need only 15 minutes of uninterrupted time with them a day to feel loved.
Finally, use your empathetic nature to console your loved ones when you can’t always be there. Even Wonder Woman can’t be in more than one place at a time.
Sending lots of love to your immortal soul!
Your fellow Wonder Woman
SHERRY
