🕰️ Making Time for What Matters (Even When Balance Isn’t Possible)
By Marjorie Stevens, Special Education Liaison | Author of The Space Between Us
💡 A Little About Me
Hi friends — welcome to IEPs and WTFs, my new space for educators, parents, and anyone trying to make sense of the beautiful chaos that comes with advocating for kids who learn and live differently.
I’m a special education liaison, a teacher at heart, a mom to an amazing daughter, and the wife of a man who swears he doesn’t need supervision (but still gets plenty of it 😅). This space is where I’ll be sharing reflections, lessons, and a few “you won’t believe this” moments from my world of IEP meetings, motherhood, and everything in between.
❤️ The Work I Love — and the Time It Takes
I love what I do.
I love these kids.
But when you love what you do, time has a way of slipping through your fingers.
As a liaison, I spend my days helping families navigate special education plans, supporting teachers, and making sure every child gets what they need — not just on paper, but in real life.
And because I care so much, I tend to stay late. More often than I should. I tell myself, “Just one more email, one more follow-up, one more plan to tweak…” — and suddenly, it’s 6:30 p.m., and my daughter’s swim practice started fifteen minutes ago.
🏊♀️ The Second Shift
When the school day ends, my real marathon begins. My youngest — and only — daughter is a high school senior this year. That means swim practices, college visits, senior nights, and a million little moments I refuse to miss.
So, we move fast. I drive, cheer, prep, and repeat. And then there’s home — where my husband (who is mostly self-sufficient… mostly 😉) is waiting, ready for dinner, conversation, or just a little attention before I crash for the night.
Sleep? Let’s just say we’re not on speaking terms right now.
⚖️ The Myth of Balance
Here’s the truth I’m learning: balance is overrated.
In fact, balance is often the enemy of excellence.
I used to think being “balanced” meant having all areas of life perfectly aligned — family, work, rest, faith, health, social life. But the longer I live and the more I grow, the more I realize that balance is rarely possible when you’re pursuing something meaningful.
You can’t grow and stay comfortable at the same time. You can’t build something exceptional without seasons of sacrifice.
Balance is average.
And I’m not chasing average.
🌱 Stewardship Over Perfection
What I am chasing is stewardship — becoming an excellent manager of my time, my energy, and my priorities.
I’m learning that being exceptional doesn’t mean doing everything. It means doing the most important things well — the ones that align with your purpose and values — and giving yourself grace for the rest.
There will always be laundry.
There will always be deadlines.
But there won’t always be a senior year. There won’t always be these kids in my classroom or these families in my care.
So I’m choosing to give my best to the things that matter most, even if that means balance takes a back seat.
💬 Your Turn
If you’re a teacher, parent, or professional trying to juggle all the roles — this is your reminder:
Stop chasing perfect balance. Start chasing presence.
Make time for what matters most, and do your best to manage the rest. You’ll be amazed at how freeing that mindset can be.
Tell me — how do you manage when life feels completely out of balance? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Let’s figure this out together, one imperfect, beautiful day at a time.
📘 About the Author
Marjorie Stevens is a special education liaison, educator, and advocate for children with special needs. She’s also the author of the upcoming memoir The Space Between Us — a heartfelt story about love, letting go, and finding grace in the world of autism.
Learn more at the-space-between-us-book.com.