How Do They Do It?

I used to think I had really good time management skills.

I'm not married and I do not have any children; I'm solely responsible for myself and only myself (and on rare occasion, Sophie). I wake up every morning, hurry to get ready, and scurry out the door! I consider myself lucky if my clothes are ironed, I don't get deodorant all over my them when putting them on, and I'm not covered head-to-toe in lint. I'm doing good to remember to get my lunch (and books) as I rush out the door, trudge off to work and pray that I don't get stuck in traffic/and or that I have enough gas in my car to make it to work. I pray the whole 20-30 minutes to work that I don't get there late, I pull into work and run inside....

And then I think about my boss who has two children; she has gotten up early, gotten them ready, and taken them to daycare all while making it to work (put together and on time!)

I leave work at 4:15 (if I'm lucky) in a hurry (on Mon. and Tues.) to make it downtown for class by 4:30 (which might I add is a 30 min. journey!) I normally show up late to class, get home around 8 or 9, get dinner, study, and do it all over again the next day. All of my fellow classmates are working parents with a spouse and a few children each. And I have problems getting myself together?! What is wrong with this picture?!

I'm always in a hurry, I have trouble getting myself up and going, I have trouble finding the time to study, and I'm having a really tough time traveling to see friends and family, going to football games, and juggling all of the above. I can't even recall the last time I actually cooked a meal! And these people have 3 and 4 extra family members to care for! Working moms, my heart goes out to you! How do you do it? How do you manage to get yourself together, much less 3 and 4 other people?

If you couldn't tell, I think this to myself every morning as I pass an elementary school close to my house on my drive into work. And these moms aren't in any hurry, and they (seem to have) everything under control! Where do you find the time?!

I'm not married, and I don't have kids, and I still have trouble finding time?!

It hit me tonight that I'm just making it, I'm doing this because I want to and because I have to, and I'm currently making time that I never knew I had. I'm staying up late, and getting up early. And I guess that's what these working moms do too?! I couldn't imagine! I don't know that I would make it (or be remotely sane) if I had to work and raise a family! Kudos to working moms and dads! Any and all of your time management advice would be greatly appreciated!