When Your Parent Meter Runs Low

How Can You Do It All - Imperfectly?

Hello, Digital Villagers.

I apologize for the delay in posting. Like many of you, I’m juggling work and parenting (and volunteering, and friends, and a freelance project…)

Last week, I kept telling myself: “Lisa, you’ve got to post on Substack” but I never seem to have enough time or energy to create the “perfect post.”

So, here’s my imperfect post…

No doubt you know of the illustrious Brené Brown. Her brilliance is shared worldwide though I’m sure she has her critics too. Check out this short video…

In this clip, she talks about how the idea of a marriage being 50/50 all of the time is a fallacy. There will be very few times where two people in a partnership are both at 100% and can give 50% to the other person.

Similarly, parenthood can’t always (or ever???) be 50/50 either. And, yes, I realize that many families look different and it’s not the norm to have have two parents. But, we’ll go with that model for this example.

Today, for instance, I’m very tired and my laptop is being wonky. I also have a bunch of deadlines and a gathering to attend tonight.

My kids are older so don’t need as much hands-on help. But, even still. I’ve been pondering how to help myself with the parenting that does need to be done today. Here is what I’m doing:

1. I asked my son to pick up my daughter from her job this evening.

2. I’ll allow myself some grace and stop at the grocery store and pick up a snack for the party instead of making something homemade.

3. I’ll power through my deadlines and work today and try and get a good sleep tonight so I’m sunnier tomorrow.

Now, my partner is not my kids’ dad though he definitely helps — with cooking, cleaning and paying his share of the bills. And occasionally driving and picking up - as well as attending to his own young adult daughters.

If you have a parenting partner, how do you manage to adapt when your parent meter runs low? Do you directly ask for help or is it just understood that the other person will pick up the slack?

I’d love to hear your thoughts when you have time (haha) to share.

Until next time, imperfect parents… stay real.

Lisa