Comments on: Saying When

By: TL

TL — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 04:51:08 +0000

I can completely relate, thank you so much for writing about this! I feel like our dog is the one aspect of my life that is Just. Too. Much. The straw that is breaking my back. I day dream about “accidentally” leaving the gate open so she’ll run away. I actually love dogs, but she just has a nasty personality & my husband has spoiled her rotten and won’t hear a word said against her. If the kids liked her, that would help, but they don’t. I just can’t see how she’s worth the effort & expense.

By: Hands Free Mama

Hands Free Mama — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 02:42:19 +0000

Jill, thanks for keeping it real. Reading this post makes it easier for all of us to breathe a little easier. I, too, was one of those people that was asked, “How do you do it all?” I ended up admitting the painful answer to that question 8 months ago. I realized that I can “do it all” because I miss out on life. I miss out on the things that really matter, like spending time simply “being” with my family. I am thankful to report that on that day, I decided to go Hands Free…striving to let go of the endless commitments and daily distraction that consumed my joy. The result? I have never been happier and more connected to what really matters to me.

I find your insights so refreshing! Thank you!

By: Not a fan

Not a fan — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 19:21:01 +0000

Funny how people treat dogs and cats like they are something you can return – like a pair of pants or shoes.

Poor husband; hope he doesn’t decide to say “when” when comes to dealing with you!!

By: You Suck

You Suck — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 19:17:10 +0000

How nice of you to let your children and your husband get attached and love the dog and YOU get to decide that the dog has to go.

Sounds like your husband has wanted a dog for years; how about you think about him instead of you?

By: Michaela

Michaela — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 01:23:39 +0000

I have four kids, the older they get the harder it is for me to say no. My 6th grader wants to walk with his friends from school, my fourth grader wants walk with her older brother, my Kinder wants me stay at school with her all day long, and my three old, wants to climb the walls.

I think they are built with some sort of radar, to ask me these kinds of questions! Normally on Friday, when I am trying to wind down. Friday’s after I do the round up, and the getting them off to school routine is over for a couple of day’s, sometimes I get too relaxed, and just hearing those cute little voices ask me over and over again, instead if saying the normal mommy voice no! With that expression of I mean it! It is easier to YES!

So I tried that, and for the moment, it feels great! Then I realized why I said no in the first place. So now I am sticking to my guns, except when they ask to go to friends house!

I have to prioritize, when mommy is in a good mood, everybody is in a good mood! When mommy is stressed out and tired, the house is a mess! You have to do only what you can do, even superman has to go back to reality. Women especially think we can do it all, but we get worn down. We have to relax, and unwind, to be a good mom is to be good to yourself first, then worry about your offspring. Plus looking old before your time is not pretty, age gracefully, and nobody wants to look like they have four kids.

By: Steph

Steph — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 09:58:50 +0000

Sayinng ‘when’ is hard and glad to know you’ve put your foot down said enough is enough. Gotta start learning that, too :). Re the puppy, I sure like looking at them but the emotional, physical, mental AND financial investment that goes with it is not enticing for me now. But the puppy can eventually help your daughter learn small ‘responsibilities’ :)

By: B

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 00:30:49 +0000

Good for you! We could all benefit from learning how to say when.

By: amber

amber — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 14:24:56 +0000

I realize I’m late with this, but I just wanted to say good for you. It’s important to know when you’ve had enough – and hard to do. You’re very brave. Lucky will be fine – it’s much better he goes to a new home where he’s well and truly welcome than stay with a family already stretched to the limit.

By: freshmom

freshmom — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 02:01:53 +0000

a puppy? don’t feel guilty about saying “when”! a puppy is more work than a newborn!!!

By: Kir

Kir — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 20:01:02 +0000

good for you…really, GOOD FOR YOU…for knowing and how to say WHEN.

wishing you lots of good stuff as you stop and take a deep breath. :)
HUGS