By Lorraine Sanabria Robertson

At a church function recently, another mom I'd been chatting with quizzed me on how I get everything done. You blog, write for magazines, have a book, a husband, two kids, a dog, you just ran a marathon and you're here taking this class at church. How on earth do you do it all? she asked, anxiously awaiting my magic answer.

I don't, I replied unapologetically.

Yes, her jaw hit the floor.

While the mere thought that I appeared to have all my ducks swimming in a straight row was thrilling for a moment, I definitely didn't want to give off the false impression that perfection exists. It doesn't. Not for me or anyone else. Sure there are times when I try and channel my inner Claire Huxtable, taking care of work and my family while looking fabulous in the process. But often, at the end of the day, I feel and look more like Florence Johnston from The Jeffersons. For real.

My mother always tells me, You CAN do it all “ just not at the same time.

Our generation has been fed the infamous multi-tasking myth. We've been led to believe that we can have high-powered careers, where we pour in 18-hour days while busting through the glass ceiling, while being the home-made cookie-baking PTA president. All at the same time. Then we feel like complete failures when we fall short. But so what if the cookies come from a bakery, or if we take a sabbatical from work for more family time? If we try to do everything ourselves, something will inevitably be left undone or, even worse, done half-ass, compromising our reputation and probably our sanity.

I encouraged my church friend to shoot for the stars, but to put away her Super-Wifey cape to break it out on special occasions only. It's not for everyday use. I'll never forget the relief on her face when I shared with her that my bedroom chair is COVERED in clean clothes and that they'll stay there waiting until I have time to get to them.

Winks & Smiles,

Wifey

Lorraine Sanabria Robertson, a freelance writer and successful public relations consultant, is author of Help! I'm a Newlywed What Do I Do Now? Wife-Saving Advice Every New Bride Must Know to Survive the First Year of Marriage (30 Miles Media, Inc.). She blogs about marriage, motherhood and mayhem at AskWifey.com, and is co-founder of TheBlogRollers.com, a site dedicated to promoting the power of female bloggers and the brands that support them. She lives in Atlanta with her husband and their two children.