On Your Side (810) 966-WINS (9467)
May 2018
A Low-Key Mother’s Day
In the Midst of a Hectic Season
left, it’s a lot more hectic. But it’s the kind of controlled chaos that I’ve come to love. Every once in a while, my husband and I chuckle and say to each other, “You know, at some point, this is all going to stop.” Today, somebody has a track meet, another kid has a volleyball game, and then there’s baseball practice, and it’s go, go, go, but one day they’re going to be out of the house and out on their own. So we make sure to take stock of that fact and really relish the opportunity to support the kids and spend as much time with them as possible. But as much as I’ve tried over the years, I still haven’t learned how to be in two places at once. There are times when a deposition runs late and I get back to the house hours later than I would have liked and think, “Oh yeah — somebody’s gotta cook for these kids!” But luckily, these moments never come between me and my kids. I’ve made sure to build a close relationship with each of them, giving them space to talk to me “In the hustle and bustle of the everyday, it can be tough to recognize your own efforts, but when Mother’s Day comes around, sometimes I look at my kids and think, “Well hey, maybe I am doing something right here.”
The month of May means Mother’s Day is right around the corner, and kids across the country are readying their floral bouquets and breakfast spreads to honor their moms for the holiday. With our family, Mother’s Day is usually spent cheering away at one of my son Zach’s baseball tournaments, followed by a fancy dinner, and maybe some nice flowers for me. It’s a pretty low-key day, but I appreciate it; it’s nice to be reminded of your place in your kids’ lives every once in a while. In the hustle and bustle of the everyday, it can be tough to recognize your own efforts, but when Mother’s Day comes around, sometimes I look at my kids and think, “Well hey, maybe I am doing something right here.” I can tell you that raising three incredibly busy and active kids in the midst of running a law firm is no easy feat, but it’s a welcome challenge. Though I don’t think I’m going to win “Mother of the Year” anytime soon, I am proud of the way I manage to juggle the million different responsibilities of my practice while still being there nearly every day for my kids. For me, forging that delicate balance between my work and personal life is mostly a matter of planning ahead — especially during this season. Between my kids’ travel ball games and all kinds of depositions, hearings, and facilitations, everything gets a time slot in the calendar, which pretty much turns to law as soon as it hits the schedule. When the kids were smaller, we had a lot of family to help us out, but now that we’re older and much of that family has
about whatever they’d like. For Zach, that often means inquiring about my work. “Did you win?” he’ll ask. “Did you help your client?” For us, Mother’s Day may be a simple affair, but as I’m out to eat with my husband and kids after Zach has won his game, I’ll for sure be overwhelmed with a wave of gratitude. I’m so grateful to have these kids in my life, experiencing the joys and struggles of motherhood at every turn with my husband Shawn by my side and the most incredible kids I could ever imagine. Plus, I don’t have to cook that night, either — so that’s a plus.
–Nicole Winston
(810) 966-9467 • 1
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