Juggling it All...But How?

Recently, as we were driving about town, Nora announced that she wanted to marry a cowboy. 

Also, she wants to become a veteranarian, own horses, a few dogs, and have some kids, though she hasn't decided exactly how many yet. 

"But Mom, where exactly do I find a cowboy to marry?" she asked.

"Well, Nora, you could find a cowboy at the rodeo, or working at a ranch out West" I replied.  "But you can't just go and marry someone simply because he's a cowboy...you have to become friends with him and make sure you guys get along really well first."

"Of COURSE, Mom.  I'm definitely NOT going to marry someone I don't even LIKE." 

Glad we got that squared away.

Simultaneously fascinated and comforted that there are in fact, "real" rodeos (read: cowboys) in the greater Raleigh area, though intrigued by the idea of moving out West, she moved on to inquire about how to become a vet.  Not at all phased by the amount of school and training that lay ahead of her, she seemed satisfied that her career as a vet would make owning and keeping horses (and dogs) a bit easier. 

"So you see Mom, I can keep all the animals healthy, and the cowboy can take care of the regular horse stuff."  Clearly, she has done some thinking about all of this prior to our conversation. 

A few minutes of silence followed, then I heard a big sigh, and she said, "But Mom, how am I going to take care of the horses, work as a vet, be married to a cowboy AND have kids????  There is just SO much to do and it just doesn't seem like there will be that much time to do it all!!"

Welcome to mothering in the 21st century, Nora. 

All I could think of to respond to her profound little query was "Nora, if you really want to do all of those things, you will find a way.  It's not always easy, but Moms always find a way to make things work out." 

Maybe since you are pondering this at the tender age of five, by the time you are actually working, and a mother, you really WILL have it figured out. 

Personally, I'm just making it all up as I go along.