There is a new movie coming out, “How Does She Do It?” about a working mom who is balancing work, marriage and mommyhood. I really don't know any more than that (I am the least of all a movie aficionado). However, the title caught my attention. Not because I am also a working mom, but because I hear the question, “How Do you Do it?” at least once a week. Maybe I hear this question in such frequency because I am a single mom, or because I work at a church, which means unexpected busy seasons and trying, emotional workloads. If I'm in a new place (new town/church/school) this question seems to come at a rapid fire pace. It always feels a little awkward because sometimes the question is asked with a little horror in the person's voice “That sounds awful, how do you do it?” (that's an exact quote) sometimes the voice is filled with, (what I feel is undue) awe, “I can't imagine, how do you do it?”.

No matter how the question comes, I always answer the same... “We take it day by day.” I feel like the question is undue and awkward because I think that is probably how ALL of us are getting through our lives, right? Day by day. We all have life circumstances that make the balancing act a bit precarious or baggage that feels heavier some days than others.

There are certainly times when I feel the pinch of being a single mom. However, I generally feel like I have a similar expectation set upon me as any other parent (single or double!), maybe sometimes I just have to get a little more creative to solve problems or get through a day (see below). I also have a lot of help, like a lot! So much, in fact, that I often think “single mom” doesn't represent our life adequately. Its more like I'm the communication hub of the village that is raising this beautiful princess. So, the “you” in the question “How do you do it” should not be singular, its definitely a plural meaning for us.

I cannot answer, “How do you do it?” because I'm just “doing” today...not yesterday and certainly not tomorrow! So, here is the answer to how we (me, a head cold and Disney) got through a busy week, ending with today...

(keep in mind this week was a week to be present with people, which meant very little writing time during the week.  Plus, the princess had no school on Friday, so I was counting on my weekend evenings to do A LOT of work and then...) Princess wakes up multiple times in the night with a fever, congestion and bad cough: Pastor alarms start ringing when is this sermon getting written?

Next morning the Princess wakes up late feeling miserable, lies comatose in front of “Alladin”...sermon written!

Princess takes long, steam shower and then proceeds to fuss in her room for at least 30 minutes over the outfit she has to wear...dishes done and laundry folded!

Pastor drags sick little one to church to get about ten different jobs done, Princess becomes the perfect little assistant and we're outta there in record time!

Make lunch together.

Princess takes medicine and lie comatose in front of “Robin Hood”...Bible study prepped!

Board games, walk, Barbies and book reading all afternoon.

Post-dinner movie (“Toy Story”) and medicine, then bed...all other church business is attended to!

It still was a day of productivity and fun, just different that originally planned. That basically sums up the “how do you/we/ya'll do it?” Day by day, and a little creativity! 

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness...We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:26, 28