Military life: Challenges of a military spouse
Oh boy, being a military spouse is like being a nomad. My family has packed up and moved to Las Vegas because that’s where the military said to go. And let me tell you, it’s tough as nails to manage being a full-time working mom, a stay-at-home mom, and running a cookie business all at once.
Plus, we’re so far from our fam back in Houston, it feels like we’ve been stranded on a deserted island. No one to help with our little rascal who’s just 11 months old. It takes a whole dang village to raise a baby, but we’re doing our best to make it work. Let’s hope I don’t burn the cookies while juggling all these hats!
I’m from the south, with a boat load of sisters, brothers, cousins, aunts, uncles, and more. Taking on the care of a baby so far away from family was a very new experience for me. I was always under the assumption that I would have the help & support of my village, like everyone else I knew growing up.
But being part of the military life, means that you regularly have to shift your mindset & take on new challenges. We don’t have that village of people to rely on anymore, which can make things pretty hectic. But let me tell you, I didn’t let that stop me! I decided to open my very own cookie business because, you know, why not add more to my plate?
Balancing multiple roles: Working full time, running a cookie business and being a stay-at-home mom
During the day, I’m a full-time graphic designer, constantly dodging the barrage of last-minute job requests from clients. And don’t get me started on vacation time – it’s non-existent! Instead of sipping fruity cocktails on a tropical beach somewhere, I’m using my precious time off for family visits across the country and diaper changes.
It’s a good thing I love baking, because it’s a great stress reliever when I’m not pulling my hair out from work deadlines.
And last but not least, I’m a stay-at-home mom. Yup, I somehow managed to squeeze that into my already hectic life. Between feedings, diaper changes, and nap time battles, I don’t have a spare second to myself. But hey, at least I’m getting in some quality bonding time with my little one, right!…right?
Limiting orders and setting boundaries: Prioritizing mental health and avoiding burnout.
Now, you might think that because I’m a cookie queen, I’d be taking on orders left and right. But let me tell ya, I ain’t no superhero (although I do wear an apron like one). I’ve learned to keep my stress levels down by limiting my monthly orders to 4-6 dozen cookies and saying no to last-minute requests. Trust me, nobody wants a burnt-out baker with a cranky attitude.
I mean, I don’t think I’m the only one with a never-ending to-do list and a constant feeling of overwhelm. But guess what? My mental health is important to me, and if I don’t take care of myself, then my entire household falls apart. And let me tell ya, ain’t nobody got time for that!
That’s why, even though I love baking and fulfilling everyones cookie dreams, I gotta set some boundaries. That means no overtime at work and limiting my cookie orders. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I still wanna make everyone happy, but not at the expense of my own sanity, ya know?
And can we talk about those last-minute orders? I mean, come on! Unless it’s a super fun theme that I’m excited to try out, I usually have to pass. Ain’t nobody got time for that kind of stress!
From managing a full-time job, running my cookie business, to being a stay-at-home mom – I definitely have my hands full! It takes dedication and commitment to make sure that all these hats are worn properly. That said, I’m learning the importance of setting boundaries for myself in order to keep up with everything without burning out mentally or physically. By limiting orders, saying no to last minute requests, and clocking out when the day is over, I can ensure that I don’t become overwhelmed by juggling too many tasks at once. All this time management practice has helped me grow as an individual while still staying true to my goal: bringing joy (and cookies!) into people’s lives one batch at time.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some cookie dough to mix.
Photo by Büşranur Aydın: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-holding-newborn-9709575/
