After planning and hosting an event, I crash. The size of my crash is determined by how much energy I exerted to execute the plan. Since I pour 100% of myself into every task I undertake, I can quickly crash when the adrenaline ceases and the party or event is complete.

Having help with cleanup is not only a blessing, but a necessity for me. Thankfully, my husband Paul helps out. He can usually be found washing dishes after a Dinner with Friends event or sweeping the floor of the gym after a Sunday School Pizza Party and Gym Night.

Knowing that I need time to rest and re-energize after an event, I accept help that is offered. My children have learned that Mommy needs help, and they are willing to assist when asked to do so. On one such occasion, some friends came over to our house for a play date. All the kids played and had a great time. The older kids played down the hallway while the younger ones stayed in the living room playing with the kitchen and younger toys. During the play date, one of our infant guests enjoyed chewing on our plastic toys for the play kitchen. He was teething and forgot to keep the toys out of his mouth.

After our friends thanked us for a fun afternoon, they left. I needed a few minutes to unwind from the afternoon. My children had picked up a number of toys before I realized that I needed to clean all the kitchen items. Since my baby chews on the fruits and vegetables and silverware associated with our play kitchen and our friend had also put his mouth on them, I knew a good cleaning needed to be done. I was resting and came up with a great project for my two older children: wash the items and work together.

When I asked them to help with this project, they both were really excited. So, I prepared for their task:

1. Gathered the supplies. One child retrieved the washing container while the other put all the kitchen items in the laundry basket. I then filled the container with warm soapy water.
2. Prepared the floor. I setup their washing station with a towel on the hardwood floor.
3. Gave specific instructions. Each child was to take a turn. On each turn, he or she was to pick one item, dip it in the soapy water, rub it clean, and place it on the towel.
4. Demonstrated the process. As I explained the project, I washed the first item.
5. Oversaw the progress. I allowed each of them to complete one turn.
6. Allowed for execution. Once they each completed one turn correctly, I left them to work together.

When they finished this first part of the project – washing the items, I prepared for the finished product:

1. Gathered the supplies. I rinsed out the container, refilled it with clean water, and gave them each a clean, dry dish towel.
2. Prepared the table. Making sure they had plenty of room in which to work, I placed the water container in the middle and emptied the clean items from the towel into the water.
3. Gave specific instructions. Each child was to choose an item, rinse it in the water, dry it with the towel, and place it away from the container of water.
4. Demonstrated the process. I showed them how to rinse, dry, and place one.
5. Oversaw the progress. After the demonstration, they each completed one item.
6. Allowed for execution. I gave them space to complete the project.

When all items had been washed and dried, we all put the toys away. It was a win-win resolution at the end of an event. Besides practicing teamwork and sharing, my children giggled, laughed, splashed, and enjoyed working together. I was able to oversee the project without being directly involved, and we all enjoyed the afternoon.

Knowing my limitations and working through them has helped me to use my time wisely by preparing in advance to cope with the crash I experience at the end of an event. Do you experience a lack of energy after an event? If so, recognize your limitations and prepare in advance for clean-up help to give you time to re-energize.