Comments on: Photo Essay: Busy Twitter Parents Share Hints, Tips & Tricks To Find Balance In Life

By: JoAnna

JoAnna — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 23:58:45 +0000

What a great piece Leigh! I only know so many of these people from the professional side of their lives, and it’s nice to know we all struggle with balance, whether we have kids of not. Fantastic work! Keep it up … you’re doing splenderific!

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By: Sophie

Sophie — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 23:44:29 +0000

By chance, I ended up having one kid at a time (my daughters are 21 and 8). When I travelled alone with my oldest, she got all my attention, so it was pretty easy. The most important thing then was a feeling of fairness. That’s very important to kids (as it should be, I think). As much as possible, we both made decisions: where to go, what to see/do/eat. If I decided what to do in the morning, she got the afternoon (4-year-olds are very keen on the hotel swimming pool, even if it rains). If I decided dinner one day, she did the next – even if that meant buttered hot dogs (yeah, Bangkok).

When my youngest came along, the oldest was just the right age to be “extra mum” and sister, all in one. They have a great time together when we travel, and are now planning a sisters-only trip to Sardinia Oh, and the fairness principle still applies. (I wouldn’t mind never seeing another Nutella pancake, though)

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By: Leigh Shulman

Leigh Shulman — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:22:15 +0000

Shannon, your comment literally left me laughing because it is so absolutely true.

Knock, knock. Scratch. scratch. “Mmammmaa? Are you there?” And the image of hiding in the bathroom for just a few moments of quiet is something so many moms I know do. Not to mention being able to take a complete shower without being called to wipe something, feed someone, arbitrate or fix.

Sometimes it can drive you crazy, but it’s also a skill we develop. this ability to oscillate between kid details, work details and all the rest.

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By: Shannon (@Cajun_Mama)

Shannon (@Cajun_Mama) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:50:02 +0000

Great insight into balance and how others deal with it. Thanks for a great article. When my kids were smaller, I would lock myself in the bathroom to try and find a moment to myself. Inevitably, one of them would peek under the door and squeeze their lips in the crack with a muffled “Mama!” Heh.

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By: Leigh Shulman

Leigh Shulman — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:48:13 +0000

Hi Carolina,

How great to see you here on Matador. What you say makes sense. It’s so simple, and yet not always so simple to do. I’m going to try to remind myself of that from now on when I’m feeling stressed..Just move more slowly.

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By: Carolina

Carolina — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:39:24 +0000

Somewhere around my fifth year as a single mom I realized the key to balance in my life (and I think it’s different for everybody): move slower. I have a tendency to move and speak quickly, I’m like a whirlwind. So I actually just walk slower and that makes me relax. Oh, and laugh a lot.

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By: Leigh Shulman

Leigh Shulman — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 23:03:39 +0000

Thanks for your compliment. I just checked our your website, and it looks like you have plenty tips and tricks of your own you could add to this list.

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By: Leigh Shulman

Leigh Shulman — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 22:57:58 +0000

You know, Neha. There is most definitely something about the cuteness of kids that helps keep you grounded. They can do something so frustrating, and then one little look or comment, and suddenly you’re laughing.

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By: GotPassport

GotPassport — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:37:15 +0000

I like learning about different moms’ ideas of their own definition of balance and tips. Love the large size pictures. Found new moms and dads I was not aware of that I would now like to follow on Twitter.

Useful post. thank you!

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By: Lola

Lola — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:02:50 +0000

Superb photo essay and solid tips. Like Julie said, also fun seeing the people behind the gravatars.

“I could be anything and everything I wanted, just not all at the same time”…on point!

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