I'm spread a little thin these days - how do you do it?

JillD_2

I just read your second post there, its so funny, when my OH has them they are good as gold, leave him aone he gets to surf the net etc etc, when I have them they moan on and on at me to help them, play with them, sort out their fights, its unbearable and SO annoying! Glad its just not me though!

lil_me

se999 is right with the waiting, teaching kids to wait as a teacher I am sure you will appreciate is extremely important GR. I made the very bad mistake of giving DS1 what he wanted when he wanted it, paid the price of a demanding toddler when DS2 was little, never again! I made DS2 wait deliberately because of this, even as a baby I didn't just go to him immediately when it was just an attention cry, it seems cruel to some but now he's the one more than willing to be last in the line while other kids fight each other etc

With the being nice when partners are there, that is normal isn't it ? Same when someone pops over to lend a hand, you look exhausted as they play up for you 24/7 and they say 'Why are you so tired they are really well behaved' because somehow those ickle devil horns vanish as soon as someone else is there!

Pleased to hear you're feeling a bit better about things, won't be long before you're saying 'I wish they were little again' and we'll be pointing you to this thread!

Gingham_Ribbon

They're 3 and a half and 6 months. DS1 needs help wiping after he's 'been' to the loo.

I just started dozing off reading this. Happy kind of exhausted though. DS1 is singing, DS2 is wiggling and DH is about to plop them both in the bath. Can't complain. Life is good. Thanks again everyone.

beemuzed

My youngest at 32 is a dad himself these days! I remember the scenario you describe tho'! Just be aware that these early years will rush past - so don't worry too much about the housework - you'll have plenty if time to get that right when your littlies are grown into schoolkids! Just count anything you do get done as a bonus - you are so right to think that spending time with children is priceless. You sound very much better organised than I ever was. Don't beat yourself up - and don't struggle to do as everyone else does either - do what works for your family. Enjoy while you can!

JillD_2

woops just noticed you mentioned flylady in orig post - sorry!

madmum33

I want to give you a big hug!!!!!!

I have memories of the days when I had a newborn and a 14 month old! Baby needed breastfeeding just as toddler decided to climb the furniture..... toddler fell off chair and cut open head on coffee table before I could catch her. No idea how I coped!

Then I had three under four! Never again - I was close to a nervous breakdown! Anyone who says it's easy is lying.

Listen, just do the most important jobs, that means NO ironing, nobody will notice! Keep things hygienic, it doesn't matter if there are toys on the floor or clothes not in drawers. Soon you'll have more time and can catch up.

Most importatnt LOOK AFTER YOURSELF! If you get ill through exhaustion nothing will get done!

Ruth

Mutantk

Hi Gingham - I think you are super woman in disguise - all your fab recipes and advice and help you dish out on here! I have an 18 month old, 3 year old and 4 year old and I don't have any more suggestions really but I wanted to share this quote with you that was on a coaster my Mum gave me - it says "Good mums have filthy ovens, sticky floors and happy kids!" Says it All!

Gingham_Ribbon

That's so lovely. Thank you! x

Peem

Oh Gingham

I don't know.

I remember being there (mine are now 2 1/2 and 5). All I can say is "Everything is a phase" and relax about the housework. And insist on early bed time.

TBH it's all a blur to me now. I know this isn;t much advice, but TBH you're doing much better than I ever did (do?)

PS love the avatar. At least you don't have to milk the cow and chase away bears!

pigpen

It is all a blur to those who have survived to come out the other side because it was simply so manic we didn't have time to make mental memos and/or think!!

My lot are 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13 & 15... been there done that!!

I am thankful for all the things I have while my children are little that my gran didn't have while her 6 were little.. automatic wm's dw breadmaker microwave convenience foods freezer... etc etc.. I don't have to wash one day a week and get it all dry as fast as possible when it is pouring with rain and the middle of winter.. I don't have to spend hours washing pots.. I bake bread .. it takes less than a minute.. not all day..

Playpen.. dishwasher.. sling (wraparound one rather than a 'name' one).. daily trip out.. anywhere, even if just to the shop and back.

I still cook 2-3 meals at once.. and freeze 2 for lazy/busy days.. mince meals/stews/soups freeze well and I just cook matching pasta/potatoes etc while it defrosts and reheats.

Last night, just got back from holiday.. I got 2 lots of casserole out of the freezer and one of minestrone soup mixed them in the pan added a casserole packet mix and slopped it with jacket spuds.. took all of 10 minutes and everyone was fed!