To All You Perfect moms...how Do You Do It??

I only look put together BECAUSE I work. If it weren't a requirement, I would be in a ponytail and pjs. But, I have to get up 30 minutes early to get myself ready before I wake them up.
And Mamamaw is right. Looks can be decieving. We only get it right 3 out of 5 days a week. Yesterday we were 10 minutes late and my baby walked into school still finishing a toaster waffle. Today we were on time, but backpack was forgotten at home. Tomorrow I get another chance to get it right.

ROFL...no one's perfect.

But as to being dressed & all that jazz when he was little (because my son WAS my alarm clock for years)? Scrambled eggs & hot chocolate & thomas the tank engine. As in, I got all those up and running, and then went and took a shower and got dressed. Then got kiddo ready. Then did my makeup in the driveway. Voila. Hair, clothes, & warpaint accomplished due to two marvelous inventions known as the TV & Carseats w/ straps.

You are not the only one. This morning, for example, I went outside to the bus stop with my daughter in the shorts and t shirt I sleep in, my husband's robe, and my fake Ugg boots. Oh and my hair in the ponytail I put it in to go to sleep last night. I was sexy. LOL
Rock on to the mamas that can get it together like that! I am so not one of them. But I say- don't sweat the small stuff!

Yes, yes, I'm fantastic - I'm a working mom. HA! When I came to work last week, after I was here for an hour, I went to the bathroom, and my shirt was on inside out.
But the other mother's in the drop off at Kindergarten couldn't tell that through the window!

Shhhh....I'm going to let you in on a little secret, we're not perfect. No no hear me out. Yes, it may appear that we are wearing capes that blow in the wind with our perfectly styled hair as we drop off the kids, in different locations, still make it to work and come home in time to make a healthy dinner for our family and get everyone to bed with time to spare and watch our favorite shows. I'm here to tell you, don't believe everything you see. ;-)

Look closer, we probably have a stain on that work shirt, our lipstick is on our teeth, the kids are eating breakfast in the car (which is why they're not screaming) and dinner was made 3 days ago and is being heated in the microwave. My clean house every time you come over? It's because hubby and I have been running around like crazy people for the past hour shoving things in closets while the kids sit glued to the TV which is why we’re both going to pass out on the couch 5 minutes after the kids go to bed.

I didn't realize that someone else saw me as this "perfect mom" image, though I have to say it gave me a real ego boost when I realized it, until last week. One of my husband's friends came over with his entire family and it was a Wednesday not long after I had come home from work. The house was a mess, the kids were crying cause it was dinner time and I had just changed into my after work sweats. She actually laughed and said she was so happy to see my kitchen a mess! Any time she's ever come over we've cleaned the house and I've made sure to look put together.

So not to worry, it may look like we're doing it all but we're probably doing it with two different shoes on too.

Tehehe, they look all made up and put together cuz they'd SCARE ALL THE SMALL CHILDREN IF THEY DIDN'T!

I mean unlike YOU and ME, who are All Natural Beauties, right?!

;)

I didn't know I was perfect! thanks!!

I get up before my kids so I have time to myself. I make sure as much as possible is done the night before - clothes set out, lunches made, coffee pre-set, so I don't have to run around in the morning doing it all...

You CAN do it. You just don't give yourself as much credit as you should!!! Being a mom isn't easy!!!

oh sorry. this question does not apply to me :(

I'm laughing at your post. I used to wonder how all the mothers around me did things so perfectly; then I found out that they were thinking the same thing about ME! Didn't they realize how messy my house was, how messy my life was? Well, no, they didn't.

Some women are more organized than others; that's something I had to learn more about. But really, I think mamas are all like the proverbial ducks - looking calm and serene, perhaps, but paddling like mad beneath the surface.

This made me smile :). I am a full-time working mom and the days when I am home (every other Friday) it is way more hectic than getting out of the door myself by 615am. It's getting up way earlier than necessary. But being a SAHM is the hardest job there is - give yourself some credit!

None of us are perfect & we all know it.

Personally, I work full-time outside the home. I get up at 5a.m. M-F so that I can get showered, dressed, hair & make-up done, 1 cup of coffee & spend about 1/2 an hour reading before waking the kids up & leaving for work. Granted, my kids are a bit older (10 & 12 years old), but we also only have 1 bathroom in the house so between me & hubs we have to work around each other.

As for the house, it's not the neatest. It actually usually looks like a bit of a wreck, but for me that's an easy thing to be willing to give up in order to keep my sanity. My kids are happy, healthy & smart. They get their homework done, practice their instruments, attend sports practices & generally stay out of trouble.

We have enough food to eat, clothes to wear, and a roof over our heads. We cook dinner (almost) every night & eat together. We hang out & look for fun, inexpensive things to do over the weekend. We all genuinely love each other even if we don't particularly like each other every minute of every day. Our lives are far from perfect financially, but I think overall we are very blessed & lucky to have all that we do. Overall, THOSE are the things that make a family perfect, not whether or not you have oatmeal in your hair while driving through the carpool lane! ;)

No O. is a perfect mom. Total myth.

I get dressed every morning. Not "dressed up" but dressed for what I am doing that day. It might be work, grocery shopping, cleaning my house.

I am a believer in fixing your hair and putting on a little make up every day and getting dressed "to the shoes" because it makes ME feel better and productive.

Planning ahead helps!

To me it's all in if you and your kids are morning people!!!! And if you are able to get to bed at a decent hour at night. I myself work full time and have two school age kids. One is a moring person (Thank the Lord!) and one is not. When I have to take them to school it is usually in my pants and my pajama top. I spend too much time trying to get my youngest dressed I am not goign to look presentable that early. Then I go home and finish getting ready. Back when I had my oldest I was able to wake up earlier but that was when I only had one to chase after and could get to bed at a decent hour. Don't compare yourself to those others. I am sure some of them have lots of problems we could not even imagin.

There are no perfect moms. There are moms who are straightened up and clean & shiny, and perhaps even their homes are clean & shiny. But if they and their homes are perfect then they suffer from obessive compulisve disorder and they follow their kids around picking up dropped crumbs and have no allowance for their kids to be creative and relaxed. They have a psychiatric disorder.

Most moms are somewhere along a spectrum - those of us who work outside the home may look really put together - but it's all smoke & mirrors! I can get my HS kid to school for early help at 7:15, get my son to Middle School at 8:30 and get myself to the office by 9:00-ish - BUT - you would be horrified to walk into my house. There is a literal pile of shoes by the living room door since we don't have a mud-room or a closet by the front door. The the dining room table is piled high with clean laundry - most has been folded (sloppily but it's not wrinkled at least) and sorted but some like, socks & underwear may not be. On the buffet in the DR there are still Summer picnic table things left over from a Labor Day BBQ that have to be put away in a bin in the basement. In the hall are two baskets of dirty laundry that haven't yet made it into the basement laundry room. The kitchen sink is reasonably empty - but that's not always the case. The good news is that I did get a chance to change my Summer clothes for Winter clothes and straighten up our bedroom. But it hasnt' been dusted in months. I'm lucky that I'm not allergic to dust - I'd be in bad shape if I was.

I work until 2:00 today - then I'll stop at Costco and pick up 2 cases of bottled water (I know I should use a re-usable bottle but I can't add another thing to my list of things to do) and some other misc things, pick up both kids from 2 different schools (it's raining and my DD has more than a mile to walk - no HS buses under 1 1/2 miles), then the doctor, drop my DD at a marching band party. I'll go home and my son and I will eat left over chili that I made last night then head to church for youth group (I'm an adult sponsor). My dear husband is a sergeant in the NYPD and works really long hours - on his way home he'll stop a the nursing home to visit and bring his mom her clean laundry. Somewhere along the way i have to stop at the pharmacy and get my mom her prescriptions - and if there's time I'll spend 15-20 minutes visiting with mom in her attached apartment (she's terminally ill and has a live-in aide).

We'll all be home around 9:30 - at which time I'll make lunches for tomorrow, coax my 12 yr old son in to the shower, push my 15 yr old daughter into bed and do some laundry. If I'm luck I'll be in bed by 11:30 and then I'll get up tomorrow and start over.

Do not compare yourself to what you see on the outside. I try to get my 15 yr old DD to understand that as well. We can only see what people allow us to see. You are a perfect mom if your kids are happy and healthy. If they get food that's usually nutritious, their clothing is generally clean in the morning when they put it on, and they are interested in the world around them you are perfect - or as perfect as you need to be!

There are more important things to stress about - appearances are not worthy of your stress! Enjoy your kids while you're in th is season.

I am a working mom, and getting ready to go back to work for the first time since May. You just have to plan. I did not do my hair today other than a ponytail (which is necessary with long hair and home all day with a baby) but I am getting the timing down so we can be out the door by 6:45. With 2 kids to get ready, it will be a challenge.. but pre planning is the best way to do it. Trust me on the weekends.. we do not move early. We lounge around the house as much as possible. Some people have that "perfect" appearance on the outside, but are really messed up on the inside.. Others have that "crazy or messy look" on the outside, but are really put together. My MIL is like that.. Her house is clean and organized but her life is really really messed up.. My house is a mess ( with a 3 year old and 4 months old, how can you keep it up) but we are happy solid people.. Keep up what you are doing and be happy with who you are and who cares what others think.

I obviously opened this post because I'm perfect. LOL just Joking!!!

I'm far from perfect, BUT I have to get myself up an hour before the kids to get myself ready....because I'm one of those working moms. So I have to look presentable and put together. And of course I've had my fair share of days when I forgot make up or to wear a bra. Kid you not!

I think its easier when you get in the routine of things.

THey are not perfect. But hats off to them for putting it all together. Im with you babe. Morning shower, wet hair in a clip, shirt, sweat pants, and a hoodie. Doesnt make you any less of a mother though!!! Just a more comfortable one ;P

timing & planning. I make sure my outfit is ready for the next day. I allow myself "my" time in the morning. I am completely ready before I begin on the kids.

My sons are 15 & 24...been using this method for a long time! It worked great in the early years, & even now with my daycare. & up until this week, I was getting up an hour early to take my 15yo to school....so he could be there for the required band practice & I could be home by 7a.m. for my daycare kids. Quite the challenge!

Now I know you're not talking about me, but I'll answer anyway. This week Monday was my best day, because my 2 year old has speech at 8:15, the bus comes at 7:30. I have to get one kid on the bus then immediately get the other in the car to go to speech. I go straight to work from there, so I don't really have a choice. I have to be ready to go.

I agree with Tracy K. If I didn't have to go to work (and look professional) I'd be the one in pj's and a pony tail.

How do I make it work? No one is allowed into my house, it's that bad!!! There are three baskest of clean, unfolded clothes in my bedroom and a very large, overflowing hamper of dirty clothes and no end in sight. Aaaahhhh!!!

If you can figure it out, tell me how because insanity is a way for life for me.

Oh, no! I'm right there with you....

Sometimes I envy them a lot and then other times I wouldn't want to be that way for anything, because in my head it seems like it would be just another worry.

Kudos to them, for sure, for having it together, though. They are WAY better at it than me.

Dont ask me.....i get up at 630....make my daughter breakfast and sit on the couch in my nightgown and down pillow while she eats it and gets ready for school and her bus!. All the while my toddler sleeps in till 9....Then my day starts and after that im pretty "super mommish "

If i had to wait in drop off lines for school id rock a ponytail and some starbucks and be at the back of the line!

oh and i totally agree with jo w..i bet you look better than you think. the woman who doesn't have time to bleach her mustache or put on a bra thinks you are a super model

I don't do anything to myself other than get dressed, brush my teeth, and brush my hair.

I work full time. And none of us are perfect.
Here's my schedule.
5:30a - I get up, get dressed [my clothes are usually set out the night before], brush my teeth and hair.
5:50a - I make my coffee and lunches and a light breakfast for my son to eat at daycare.
6:15ish am - Wake husband and kids up. Get them dressed while they're half asleep still. [3yr old son, 8yr old daughter] Husband takes all of our stuff out to the car after getting dressed, etc.
6:30a - My mom shows up to get 8yr old breakfast and off to school. And my husband, son, and I leave.
6:40a - Arrive @ daycare and get son set up with his breakfast, kisses, hugs, and see you laters.
By 7:30a - Husband and I arrive at work.
Around 5p - Picking son up from daycare. My mom usually has the 8yr old at her house, but doesn't mind dropping her at our house after we get home around 5:15ish.
6p - I try to get something together for dinner. Sometimes it's a 'free-for-all'.
7:30p - Bath and jammies for the kids.
8p - 3yr old goes to bed.
8:30p - 8yr old goes to bed.
9p - I take a shower then husband takes a shower or vice versa. Depends on what we're doing.
10p - Husband and I get to relax in our bed.
11p - We go to sleep.

Next day, we get to do it all again! Weekends are usually when we have to do our big cleaning, but we all work together to get it done. Sometimes, I'll clean the sink, counter, and toilet while the kids are playing in the bath. I use Method cleaners so no bleach or ammonia fumes. And I try to clean up the kitchen in the evening between dinner and the kids taking a bath. Generally while they're playing upstairs in the playroom.

I work in a shop, so jeans, t-shirts, hoodies, tennis shoes, no makeup, hair sometimes still has the 'bed head' look, but I don't really care. We generally have everyone's clothes laid out the night before so there's no fumbling around in the morning. I also have a Bunn coffee maker and it brews my coffee REALLY fast.

Again... None of us are perfect. I promise.

They're just good fakers LOL!! Its all about trial and error.. sometimes I feel my worst and I get the most compliments.... Nice ponytail to hide the super oily roots because I haven't washed my hair in a week and for some reason the ends curl so much nicer with dirty hair!! I work full time and I wear dresses 99.9% of the time-- do you know why?? so that I don't have to worry about matching and ironing and adding more anxiety to my morning!!
I also wake up a good 35-45 minutes before my kids.. If I hit snooze, the day goes to sh** because I'm rushing so I coaxe myself out of bed.. Also my kids (6 & 7) have an 8:30bedtime and a 7am Wakeup time.. sometimes I wake them a few minutes before If im ready..
its not easy.. but I definitely think planning ahead and getting up even 15minutes earlier does the trick... sometimes I have insomnia and wake up around 530ish and instead of trying to go back to bed (which never works anyways) I get up and do something.. there is always something to pick up or sometimes I just surf the web and act 'normal' LOL!

PS:: and My friggin car is usually a hot friggin mess because of all the running around and sports and dance and kid parties but I try to keep it tidy or atleast washed on the outside LOL!! and as for the house.. always have a clean bathroom and kitchen and presentable living room-- the rest you can always hide w/a closed door !LOL!

I certainly don't fall into that category (I work from home and am in jammies until well after noon) but I think some people are just the get up and go type. My bestie for example - always up by 5am, showered, dressed, and full makeup - EVERYDAY!! It blows my mind...

On that note -I think every mom has her "perfect" time - it's not always so obvious though. I like to think that my perfect time is when I'm snuggling with the kids on a lazy Saturday morning - or hanging out with them during family fun night - even just the way I make sure to tell them how much I love them whenever I can. My most positive parenting trait is apologizing when I'm wrong - I don't ever recall my parents admitting they made a mistake or being sorry for being too harsh with a punishment.

Find your own perfection...it's there! :-)

lol I loved your post! I have a neighbor who's like that. Impeccable house, always showered, styled, etc... Kids are always clean - even on the weekends! My house, myself and my kids? Uh... not so much! haha

The thing is, is no one is perfect. Things behind closed doors are always different from how they appear on the outside. As for my neighbor, she wakes up 2 1/2 - 3 hours before anyone else so she can bake and cook breakfasts and shower. Ugh.. I need my sleep too much to do that! :)

i've learned its all about organization, a skill i LACK! Once you master that and prepare the night before you'll be one of those moms! BUT I'd rather afer working and feeding my daughter and playing with her all day to sit and watch a show rather than pick out my clothes. BUT I'm learning this leads to a hectic morning so I am aspiring to be one of those moms you see...although if you saw M. in the morning I'd look put together b/c of work (most times) BUT you wouldn't know I wrestled with a 5 year old to get dressed and eat all morning and was stressed beyond belief about not having anybody arnd who can watch her so i could get to the dentist

LOL nice post.. I am one of those working moms, however far from perfect. We do it because we just have to get us out within certain times. My husband drops the kid off so no one will ever see me in the preschool at mornings! In spite of that, I don't ever have time to put on even basic makeup - i usually put light touches of compact powder and Burt's bees color lipwax at the stop lights LOL. I do make sure the kid is fed well with healthy options and as less sugar as possible. There's more things that I do, and probably don't do as well as others. IMO, life with kid and job is a FOREVER learning curve, towards perfection ;).

I wonder about this too! I have 3 kids, only one in school all day., just this year. A pre-schooler and a toddler. Most of the summer all I did to my hair was wash it. Then it was twisted into a bun on top of my head. No make up, no nail polish, nothing!
I feel like I am constantly running around trying to keep the house clean, laundry done AND put away. Spend time w/ the kids, get shopping and errands done, help w/ the oldests homework, take care of the pets.....SIGH
I'm trying like hell to work out at home and thats a joke most days. If one's asleep the other one's crying, needs something, or is jumping on my belly as I do crunches. When the pre-schooler does go to school I am so torn between all my wonderful choices...shower?laundry?dishes?vaccuum?mop?grocery shop?
I mean the glamorous choices are never ending. Forget DRYING my hair or styling it, or even putting on a dab of makeup LOL
The joys of mamma hood :)

I think it is all about organization and priorities. There are some women who do not leave the house without "putting their face on." Like my mom. So they make that a priority and either get ready before the kids are awake or they get beautified while their children eat or watch tv, etc. Me? Sleep is my priority. I would rather sleep than wake up early and put on make up. A ponytail and yoga pants are fine by me for morning drop off at preschool. When I want/need to look nice and/or presentable, I do. When I am trying to get my child to school on time, I don't dress to impress.

Believe me, I am so far from perfect but I am one of those moms who walks my two boys to school with perfect (well, perfect for me) hair and make-up. Why do I do it? I just feel better about myself and feel like I am starting my day off in a good way. It does require me to get up earlier, in fact, I get up at 5:00 am every M-F and excercise on my treadmill for an hour and then spend about an hour for my shower, hair, make-up, getting dressed, lotion on legs and arms, etc. By then, my boys (both age 6) and 13 year old daughter are up, I'm all done and ready to get breakfast out, uniforms on them and lunches made. I walk the boys about 5 minutes away to school, drive my daughter to school and then come back home to get things done around the house. Yes, I know that sounds too good to be true, this is the first year I have had this luxury LOL Anyway, back to your original question...to some women it is just more important to be put together when stepping out for the world to see...I don't see it as vanity for myself, like I said, I just feel better (and both my boys tell me I look prettier with my make-up done, too!) :-)

I'm a workingmom, I'm up an hour before I leave and before the kids get up, putting on makeup, straightening my hair, etc. I'm out the door looking good before the kids even wake up.

Now, summers, I'm off. That's a different story. I wear no makeup for 8 weeks straight, barely brush my hair, and wear the same pair of pants a several days in a row.

So I live both sides of the coin :) I much prefer spending that hour in the morning sleeping and then lazing around with my kids than I do waking up early and primping for work. But we gotta do what we gotta do! I obviously have to look ok at work. I guess some people feel like they gotta do that for the pre-school drop off and trip to starbucks after, but not me :) All summer long I was rolling up to the preschool, the ballet camp, the swimming lessons with the same ponytail, headband and sunglasses. Loved it!

I worked for 35 years, 5 days a week, outside the home, so I had to be pressed, dressed and ready. Up at 5:45 and moving. My husband was very helpful. Everything was a routine. Rush, rush, rush. However, one day I was surprised to look at my feet around lunchtime. My shoes didn't match! Oh, well! I guess that makes you and me with our mismatched shoes. Ha, Sandy L., I loved your post.

Well my kid isn't in school yet, but since I started working a few weeks ago I have had to get her and my boyfriend out of the house by 5:30 and myself shortly after that. The only thing that helps me is getting everything ready the night before. I lay out his clothes, her clothes and my clothes. Quick breakfasts are bagged up or put in place, shoes are put by the door, so are sweaters, lunches are made etc. I swear I am not organized, I just hate being rushed, especially when I am tired.
Even with all that in place, I still feel frazzled. I always start thinking while I'm driving..did I forget something, how bad is traffic going to be this morning, wow my hair is frizzy, ugh I need some lipgloss, did I ever switch the laundry...lol and it goes on from there. As far as my styled hair...shhhh its almost always half wet still when I leave the house, you just can't tell. :)

I love so many of the responses so far, but I just wanted to add one tip. Check out www.flylady.net. I'm at home with my 1 and 4 yos, but still manage a shower and makeup every morning. For me at least, Flylady has made a huge difference in my life and our home.

shower the night before, clothes set out the night before for everyone. Right haircut, products, and a perfected makeup routine with the right products. Sometimes I do makeup in the car while it's warming up. All of my clothes coordinate on some level to be easily worn together. And most of the time I'm just trying to look together because I'm totally NOT together! LOL =) Fake it to make it! And looking better makes me feel better about myself, and obviously others notice! And I do these things because I'm not at all a morning person, it makes me feel more awake to put on makeup, feel put together. And I sleep at least 8 hours a night!

You haven't seen my house! LOL! I'm a single working mom so I have to look at least presentable heading out the door. Thankfully my kids are now old enough to dress themselves (though the youngest would still like me to do it for her). We have a routine down so that I know what we are supposed to be doing every five minutes. Generally everything gets done and everyone is out the door on time. I do the basics, no 20-30 minutes to do my hair and makeup. I've got about 5 minutes and that's it!

And yes, somedays I get to work and realize that what I thought was clean, isn't! Thankfully I have a big scarf that I can wrap up in to cover a multitude of fashion diasters!

I work full time, and I was raised in a house where you didn't leave without every hair in place. So it's innate in me.
I have my morning routine down to 30 minutes for shower, makeup, hair, and clothes.
Clothes set out the night before.
Kids play, watch TV in my room while I get ready - then downstairs to breakfast. If I'm leaving with the kids, they are dressed once I'm dressed. Takes 10 minutes, since I've bathed them the night before.

Just a different routine. More about planning and being organized when you're forced to.

I am a working mom and even tho it's hard, I just gotta make my train everyday. On the days I do stay at home and have to take my first grader to school, like you, I don't even bother brushing my hair. My goal is to get the kids fed and him in school before the tardy bell rings.

I can honestly say it's so much easier to get ready and out the door when I have to go to work (kids are still sleeping). So, don't feel along.

Oh yeah, there have been plenty of days when I got to work and realized that I changed my baby's diaper and didn't have time to throw it away, so I stuffed it in my jacket pocket. Other days, I've gotten to work and realize that there was spitup on my shirt/hair. But, I learned to live with it and move on.

Honestly, I don't even brush my hair, I put it in a big bun or pony tail. But I don't leave the house, the kids are old enough to walk to school. But really, for those women that "care", how long does it take to put on matching clothes, brush your hair, put on blush, eyeliner, mascara and lip gloss? I find it hard to believe that everyone is SO busy running around that they dont have a couple minutes to look decent? Like I said, I don't care, I don't leave the house, but if it WAS a priority to me, it wouldn't take me an hour to get ready in the morning. I think its all in your priorities, you make time for what is important to you. Everyone does that. My hubby loves the way I look, even in my sloppy pony tail, so he's happy, I'm happy and the kids are happy and in the big picture...that's all that matters to us! We don't have anyone else to impress. =)

Wow, I was wondering that myself and my children are all grown up. I think there's still a tad of oatmeal in my hair and I don't have time for socks when I run out the door. Whatever is the secret? Perhaps I will be able to do it when I am a grandma?

I don't believe in the word perfect and especially mom in the same sentence. I also believe we may see what goes on in public but not at home, I think some people have learned to display what they want people to see (and or believe) and may yet wear a different hat behind closed doors.

I tried to keep things at a steady flow, i dressed decent everyday when i got up, just in case i had to leave the home. Now the stress of a 3rd and 4th grader, a recent move, loss of job & friends-social network. I wear whatever can get dirty or ruined from house cleaning, i run to the store, run errarnds etc.. in same clothes (unless they are wet or smell of chemicals) I only dress nice for meetings with teachers and or dr. appointments. I figure i got enough stress of "Have to get done" responsibilities save the nice dress and make up for the occasional, "If you don't", you will be catagorized days. Besides less laundry to add to your already backed up piles.

You are not the only one! Im just like you and I really dont mind, I mean who cares. We do so much, with 4 little kids I barely have time to go to the bathroom!
I feel good about having my house clean and organized, my kids and husband having a home cooked meal, my loundry being done, dishes done and all the other 20 million things that I do every day. i dont need to have make up and heels on every day to make myself feel good. I already feel good about myself because I take good care of my family!

I am the pj, ponytail mom :) I think part of it is organization, which i stink at. I also think that there really are morning people. I dont get energy until at least noon.... no matter how much sleep i got the night before.

Ps. My new saying is the grass is not only NOT greener, it is sometimes dead on the other side. Makes me feel like my grass is pretty darn green!

So funny. Great question, and I'm enjoying all the answers. I think the most important lesson here is that a LOT of us feel the same way! (I know I do.)

My short-term goal these days is to get everyone to bed a little earlier, so I can have a little more peace & quiet in the evening, and then get up a little earlier to get everyone out of the house with a little less insanity and stress!

It's a juggling act. I feel you.

Some days I'm with it by the time I walk my son to the bus stop and some days I am not at all! It all depends on how early I get up. If I get up an hour before my kids I can shower, dress, make myself look decent, drink coffee, make the lunchbox and start breakfast all before they get up at 7. The days I get up late it is a frenzy of getting kids ready and fed breakfast and our oldest out the door...I have zero time for myself and I take him to the bus stop in pajamas sometimes with my hair all sticking up! ha. Then I finally can go home, drink coffee and slowly get ready for the day. So, my advice to you is set your alarm clock an hour earlier and jump up into the shower. :)

Lately I've been working 5 days a week and either drops my girls off at school at regular time (8:30) two days a week or at before school care 3 days a week (at 6:45....I know...early!!). So I HAVE to be showered and ready. I have no choice. I'm definitely frazzled though...I'll forget my phone or lunch or even my purse some days!

I didn't always work 5 days though. On the days I use to not work I would just concentrate on the kids all morning and totally drop them off while I was still wearing my jammies and sporting bed head.

Bottom line is...you do what you gotta do. And if you don't have to do it...don't!! Like other posters have said....I aim for early/decent bedtimes for the kids, make sure snacks/lunches are packed at night and I set the alarm earlier than need be to make sure I have some quiet time in the morning and I'm not rushing.....too much! Obviously I still need to work on it though. because of how frazzled I leave the house in the morning.

We all struggle...just some hide it more than others!

Don't beat yourself up!! So long as you are not in the same pajamma pants at pick-up, as you are at drop off, you're all good. I recently went back to work (2 years now) and drop off my kindergarten and 3rd grader, at school, every morning. The key is time. You have to give yourself time, you have to give your kids time. That really is the trick. I am up between 5:30 and 5:45 every morning. I know this may seem impossible or possibly crazy but it is soooo worth it. My husband is in the shower first and out the door no later than 6:15. My morning consists of working out, sometimes it's as little as 15 or 20 minutes but it helps wake me up. I am in the shower no later than 6:30 (earlier if I have to wash and straighten my hair that day :) ) I am dressed and pretty much ready except for last minute teeth brushing and make up. I start waking the girls at 7. I love, love, love my alone time in the morning and I promise you, that if you start, you will love your alone time (even if its only an hour) in the morning. I also promise that you will have time for at least 2 cups of coffee!! They don't start school until 8:30.....yes they need time as well. They have to be dressed & hair done, sitting at the kitchen table by 7:30. Yes it takes a 1/2 hour to get them up and ready. ugh! Makes me sick when I have to write this!! 7:30 to 8 is breakfast and I make lunches while they are eating. They are slow eaters so it's nice not to have to yell and scream at them about only having 15 min to eat. 8am it's back upstairs with them brushing teeth and going back downstairs to get coats and shoes on while I finish my last bit of makeup and teeth. We are then hopefully out the door by 8:20 at the very latest (there is nothing worse than being caught in school traffic with everyone that is running late). Then we do it all again the next day....:) I hope this helps even if it's not the magic answer you wanted! :) lol

Just another reason why I homeschool! Hahaha If I did have to take my children to school in the morning, I would have to be showered, dressed, with makeup, etc to do it, even if I were just coming back home to an empty house. It is just too scary of a thing for me not to. I can't pull off the ponytail/baseball cap, no makeup look. I've always been slightly jealous of women who can! They are very blessed.

I don't think they sleep!

Love this question and all of the responses...I work full time and my husband travels and lately, I feel like I'm failing in my personal life. I wake up at 4:45 to get ready and i don't even have a chance to dry my hair before the kids are up. I work in downtown Chicago and always feel like I'm so not together but you can't compare yourself to others, you'll never be happy! I just try to be as prepared as possible by getting up early and doing things the night before (preparing dinner, making lunches, etc.)...it's a balancing act...I'm hoping as the kids get a little older (they are 4 and 18 months) things will get easier. Hang in there! I'm sure you're doing great - and look great too!

I have a "hands on" husband. I work outside of the home, as does my husband. My work schedule starts at 8 - his at 10 - so while I am getting ready in the morning, my hubby takes care of our 2 year old son getting him ready for daycare. I do the drop off and ususally the pick up at daycare - somedays my hubby gets off work early and will do the pick up. It's all relative. Those "put together" moms that you see might be just barely making it - don't stress out and just do what feels right for you!

I think it all depends on if your a morning person or not. I'm not a morning person at all especially on cold days when the bed is warm. I will never be put together in the morning but I stay up till 11pm or 12am because I'm not tired. I look more put together at night than during the day. I'm a SAHM so I usually take my shower while my kid naps unless I have to be somewhere. I wish I was a morning person because I could get a lot more done and make more mommy friends. I tried for a year and I was miserable getting up early so I switched to a night shift back when I worked. Some people are just programmed differently.

Maybe they're going somewhere important?

I used to work FT, traveled the globe, etc...I was supermom...but with only one kid then.

Youth and health contribute greatly to being on top and staying on top of those details. Now I'm 50+ and pretty banged up for my years, and now live in yoga pants and detest having to 'get dressed' for anything. Every doctors appointment I go to, every school function I attend...I find myself lying....saying I just took a walk, or just went to a yoga class....and leave out the 'hours ago' part.

I do have one morning routine, no matter what, but this only works when I'm not nursing, which is finally now in my life...After waking up, since we use a duvet, I make the bed while I'm still in it....meaning, I pull the corners of the sheets up, then slide out. Then I always, brush my teeth, wash my face, apply a nice moisturizer, tinted sunscreen, powdered blush, mascara, tinted chapstick product....brush my hair and throw it into a clip. Then I always put on my diamond earrings and a cross or heart necklace, both are sentimental pieces. 10 minutes...I'm done and look presentable...even in yoga pants.

BTW, I cannot even begin to tell you how many times I went to work with mis-matched shoes (usually one black, one blue), shirts inside out, even house slippers once.

Also, I dressed everyone after breakfast when they were babies. Wiped face and hands. All done. Now however, my son will live in his PJs all weekend if we let him or he doesn't have somewhere to go.

You sound perfectly normal hon with the age of your kids. And they sound happy!

I get up and get dressed and ready first thing in the morning. If I don't, then forget it... I'll end up in my PJ's for the day. Although, I'm far from perfect... my house is a mess! =)