I have two girls, 10 and 6. My older daughter has pretty significant development issues, and I always thought THAT was what made it hard to be mom to both girls at once. But I finally figured out, thanks to lots of mom friends, that this is a universal problem and happens all the time with ALL kids! So what do you do when you have a fourth grader who needs to get to baseball, karate, and soccer, not to mention help with homework, and a toddler who needs all mommy all the time. Any moms out there dealing with this -- any successfully?! Would love to hear from you!
I think it is common, but I also think you know you have extenuating circumstances. Regardless, I think every kid is jealous at one point in time of his or her sibling. I know I am just starting to feel this, as I have a daughter, who loves quiet, educational play and a son who wants to drive his monster truck through everything. He needs loud and busy, she likes puzzle and books.
The activities have balanced out. Everyone does two things: he has therapy and tumbling, she has art and dance. So I am able to say "A is good when you do this; you have to be good when she does this"
As for the at-home attention, this is a strain for me as they both want 110 percent of my time, and when my husband isnt around, I still have to cook, clean and do the basics while serving as entertainment. So, no answers from me. I just do what I can to trade time, sneak in precious moments, and enjoy as best I can. I won't lie.... sometime around 8 pm, I sink into a chair, ready to sleep. And, if my husband's working late, odds are I am cursing him. But it's all good... Don't you wonder how parents raised four or six kids way back when? I have two and I'm tired!!
I think that at one point or another we all face parenting challenges, whether we have one child or multiple children. I know the obstacles I faced when I had one child seemed huge at the time, and now with four I just think back and laugh at myself.
Maybe that is part of keeping the sanity, just being able to laugh at ourselves.
Right now it is cheerleading season, so my 13 year old has practice and games during the week, then my 8 year old has practice during the week and games on Saturdays. My two boys, 2 years 9 months, and 9 months just seem to be along for the ride. I try really hard to spend time with them, during the days, and on the weekends, because I know how fast they grow up and also know I don't want to miss a single minute of them being babies.
Right now my husband is working in Louisiana doing Hurricane clean up. I know that when he is home it doesn't always seem he is doing his share- but without him here I am really appreciating all he does.
Nights are when we have our biggest challenges, we have homework for the girls, and the boys are always wanting mommy time. Giving everyone jobs at nights seems to help. That way we are all together and things get done.
I am glad to read that there are others out there who are worn out and ready for bed at 8pm, I always secretly hoped it wasn't just me.
