the kind of help mothers need

this morning, while driving into work, i decided to listen to some rolling stones.

one of the songs i played over and over again was mother's little helper.  if you're not familiar with this song, it's quite catchy and has a really good message.  go ahead and take a listen:

now for some analysis.
- the "mother's helper" is really just an escape from the pressures of daily life - drugs.
- today, mothers might not use drugs to escape so much - they turn to wine, a tv show, books or other things.

but i want to take one more step back ... why is there pressure?  is there a way to prevent the pressure in the first place?

let me jump right to it: mothers (and people in general) are too busy.  and to what end?  what are you trying to achieve?

a recent post over at becoming minimalist, discussed four ways minimalism can improve parenting.  number two in that list was, "it reminds you to guard the calendar and say 'no' to a lot of things"

he went on to explain, "Parents sometimes feel that we have to take our kids to every activity and enroll them in every sport. But, in case you've forgotten, you can’t do everything. We have to learn to say “no” to many good things so we can say “yes” to the things that are more important to us at that time. Manage your calendar well. You are the gatekeeper."

i submit that the kind of help mother's need today is an eraser ... and then use it liberally on your calendar.  furthermore, take the time to decide what is really important in your life and focus on that.  else they (you) might end up like the mother in the "mother's little helper" song ...

life's just much to hard today
i hear every mother say
the pursuit of happiness just seems a bore
and if you take more of those, you will get an overdose
no more running for the shelter of a mother's little helper
they just helped you on your way, through your busy dying day