Apr. 17, 2007
So I need to know....
Posted in Motherhood
This is for you Moms out there with 4 or more kids. I have a question. It is burning the very being in me at the moment.
When does this get better?
Stop laughing.
Please?
Seriously.
Ok, go ahead and laugh if you must but can you just give me an idea of when it slows down.
Ball park figure.
6 momths?
A year?
See, your laughing again.
I have 5 here. The children are not the problem. They are lovely and are behaving very nicely aside from one naughty little redhead who is just being five. Oh the humanity. The problem is the STUFF. Ya know, the laundry, the dishes, the baths, the meals. I mean there has to be a system to this. And I am getting a routine, but I gotta tell ya.....I don't see myself saving any time and goodness knows I am still dead tired. Keep in mind I went from 3 kids five years old and UP to 5 kids ranging from newborn to teenager. It happened very quickly! Instant family, just add formula. The upkeep is just not what I was prepared for. I was prepared what it would be like to be disciplining them. But seriously, they are like a moving pile of laundry with cheerios stuck to it.
Any suggestions, tips, advice, websites, medications to help me through this???
God Bless,
Michele
Comments
Apr. 18, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by TAFFY
heheheheheehe add a sleepover.
Can you imagine how Kate and Jon feel? I don't think they have help of any kind. ANY kind.
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Apr. 18, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
not sure about advice... we stagger bath days.. boys one day and girls the next. Laundry I assigne one child to help gather it all up, seperate it, and then help fold and put away.
I like my Lexapro..lol!! And when you feel tired.. take 5 - 10 minutes out for you. Even if you have to hide in the bathroom..lol. Those few minutes help recharge you.
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Apr. 18, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Melissa
Hi Michele, I had four kids under six and Cale worked out of town so I know all about complete exhaustion! My best ideas are to NEVER let things get out of control, shop only once a week, it just takes too much time and effort to get everyone ready to leave and be gone for a whole day, in the evenings when the kids went to bed I worked as fast as I could for about an hour. It was amazing the work I could accomplish in that time. I especially scrubbed my floors then.
Other than that, take a nap every afternoon, I made my kids have quiet time and so did I. I usually read, but it was still restful. AS they get older the work gets easier, but the mental part is harder!
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Apr. 18, 2007 - Thanks :)
Posted by MicheleisMe
Laurie,
I can not fathom that for one moment. 8 of them, no help. Ack. Aleast I have Christian and Madison to help with the smaller ones. But they are usually the ones who tax my brain the most, the older ones. LOL
Anon,
Oh I hear ya. Picture this if you will yesterday......I ran me a bath and snuck in there with a slice of pizza and an article I printed off the internet. So there I was in the tub, pizza in one hand and in the other some reading material. Guess what the article was about? Adopting diffcult children. WHAT AM I THINKING?!?!?! LOL
Melissa,
I do most of my work at night, then Josiah will wake up sometimes so that is probably why I am so tired. DH works 3rd shift right now and he comes home to sleep. So I dont get any help during the day other than my older kids. And as you know with teenagers, that is mental game of chess sometimes anyways! LOL
God Bless,
Michele
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Apr. 19, 2007 - does it get easier?
Posted by Anonymous
It does by degrees. A little bit at 6 months when the baby sits up and entertains himself better. Again when you wean and have more free time, and again when your toddler is potty trained. But there are a few back steps like mobility- now they destroy everything and also the process of potty training. We go to survival mode when it is tough. Stay on top of the things that will shut down the house like- food, clothes,and child training and let slide the extras like washing the car, decorating, and volunteering. Pare down on any extras that distract from serving your family. I made two to do lists during this time what had to be done and what would be nice if it got done.
Mom of 5-teens to preschooler
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Apr. 20, 2007 - I like the TO DO LIST idea!
Posted by MicheleisMe
That makes alot of sense. I have the habit of making the list filled with things that does not really HAVE to be done in a day. I will make a new one and call it......the REALITY list!!! :)
Thanks!
God Bless,
Michele
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