Note to Self: You're Doing the Best That You Can

I had a meeting at Aiden's school this morning. I was five minutes late. Not a big deal — I know.

But, as I was in the cab telling the driving to take Central Park West because there's just too much darn traffic on Columbus Avenue so early in the morning, I couldn't help but to think how I've been either kicking ass at one thing or the other thing. But not with several things at the same time.

I've either been kicking ass at single motherhood. Keeping in contact with Aiden's teacher and Head of School, practicing phonics with him every night, making sure his homework assignments and projects are topnotch, showing up to his school in the middle of the day just because, attending meetings, taking him to cultural events during the weekends, the whole nine yards.

Or… I've been kicking ass at work. Meeting with parents of my scholars who need it the most, making sure all of my 418 students — and families — get the resources they need, creating and facilitating detailed presentations for my teachers, training them at a high level, observing them and giving them feedback on their teaching, making sure that they are the best teachers our students could have, being my principal's right-hand man, the whole nine yards.

Or… I've been kicking ass on this here blog. Writing posts, sharing them on Facebook and Twitter, being all engaging on social media and whatnot, responding to emails within 24-hours, sending pitches for the first time in a long time, making plans and seeing them through, the whole nine yards.

But… to kick ass in all three of these things? Consistently? For a prolonged amount of time?

It's been a struggle.

Here's the thing though: it's been a beautiful struggle and I know that I'm doing the best that I can with what I've been given. I work hard. And I'm tired sometimes. And I have a lot of things on my mind sometimes. (Rightfully so.) And things fall through the cracks sometimes.

*Shrugs*

This single mom thing is not supposed to be easy, but I'm learning that sometimes -- sometimes -- I have to be easier on myself. After all, I'm doing the best that I can.

And, you. When you're feeling overwhelmed with obligations and work and pressures and life and everything else in between, take a deep breath, be kinder to yourself, and remind yourself that you're doing the best you can.