So. Here I am to break the facade that things are all lollipops and rainbows around here. All felt boards, fun family outings, and mama-made clothing. Here I am dear family, friends, and readers, to ask for some help. To admit that this mothering gig is TOUGH. And to reach out.

You see, for the past few months (ahem, has it been that long?), I’ve been feeling a bit off. A bit down. A bit anxious.

I’ve, largely, kept it to myself. Putting on a smile around friends. Saying all was well when checking in with family. Thinking that I could fake it till I made it.

Well, I’ve been doing a whole lot of faking, and not a whole lot of making, and it is time to get REAL. Time to reach out to this fantastic online community and my in-real-life community, as well. Time to admit that the image I project isn’t quite jiving with reality. Time to admit that I could use some advice and some perspective.

That’s where you all come in. And there are a few key places where I could really use some help and advice.

First, you’ve probably heard the phrase or seen the poster that, “good moms have sticky floors, dirty ovens….and happy kids.”

Image via mamafield over on etsy

Well, I have some of the dirtiest floors and biggest stacks of dishes you’ve ever seen. While the kids may be happy, I am miserable. Those dirty floors make me cringe as Xander is starting to crawl. Each time I brush off the bottom of my feet because they are caked with cheerios or any number of other things, I get frustrated. The dishes stacked in heaps on my very limited counter-space drive me crazy. These un-done household tasks make me anxious. I lay awake thinking of all that needs to be done, all that should have been done, all that didn’t get done, rarely focusing on all that did get done.

So, friends, help me out. Give me your tips for streamlining the housekeeping. Give me your tips for quick cleaning fixes. Give me your tips for getting things done that need to be done (without quitting doing the things that actually make me happy – sewing, knitting, playing, writing, printing).

Next, I’d love your tips for getting out with two little ones in tow. So often I find the hassle of it all overwhelming. And since Xander left that uber-sleepy-newborn stage we just haven’t been getting out as much as we had been, as much as I’d like to. The diapers, the snacks, the unknown toilet locations. Wrangling a spirited two-year-old while tending a babe. Sitting, nursing a babe while entertaining a toddler. With 7 months as a mama-of-two under my belt, it seems I’d have this down by now, but I don’t. Help me out.

And finally, I’d love your tips for letting go. It seems so easy. I just shouldn’t let that stack of dishes bother me. I shouldn’t worry about the pile of books in the living room that really should be donated. I shouldn’t let thoughts of bills creep into my mind as I’m reading “Sammy the Seal.” But I do.

Image via HoneyBoo over on etsy

So, help me out. Give me your tips, tricks. Give me your shoulder. Let’s be real here, but not always.

Tomorrow we’ll go back to sunshine and rainbows. Because, really, as hard as this is, as anxious as I’m feeling, it’s still a pretty cool gig. I still get to hang out with two of the coolest small people I know and I am really grateful for that.