My days, everyday, seemed flipped upside down! I am a mother of 2, toddler and 5 month old whose husband is deployed. I seem to have the deployment thing under control, but I feel like I am going in circles here at home! A typical day for me could be getting about 4 hours sleep waking up to my toddler screaming in my ear and realizing my newborn has peed all over me. I get them into the bath and the phone starts ringing off the hook. We come downstairs to eat breakfast and my newborn needs to be held and my son starts jumping off the furniture. All the while cooking breakfast, I'm tripping over my own feet trying to make a bottle. We get ready to walk out the door to grocery shop and my newborn has spit up everywhere, so out of the car seat and changed for the 5 time. I lay the kids down for naps after 30 min of crying between the two, and come downstairs to check my email from my hubby. I go to sit down and the chair rolls out from under me! These are just a few of the many things.
2007-10-21 04:49:57 · 8 answers · asked by Lovin' Life 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
This is usually a daily basis, hectic things like these going on at my house. Is this just my life? What am I doing wrong? I feel like I am losing it completely. It is starting to look like if things can go wrong, they will. I have good days...but they are very seldom. Please any advice?
2007-10-21 04:51:51 · update #1
its not just you, its motherhood.........they dont put those parts in the brochure do they!!
it does get better...it may seem like its going to be never ending but one day you will wake up and realise you havent burst into tears for a whole week....or maybe that was just me! lol
One thing I can suggest is make things easier for yourself.....when you bath the babies, put the answering machine on....even if you dont answer the phone, the constant ringing is still stressful.
Try to sort your son out first before tending to the baby....if he is occupied, eg:eating, he wont notice that he has 'free time' while you hold the baby.
As far as trying to get out the door before changing 5 times....I always had a folded baby blanket or sheet over my shoulder to catch any mess and an endless supply of bibs for the baby.
It DOES get better and easier, it just takes a little time for everyone to 'fit' into their roles.
Good luck with everything.
2007-10-21 06:23:32 · answer #1 · answered by heymumma1 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Firstly get a carrier for your infant, it will make a big difference. If your baby can sit unassisted then you can use almost any backpack carrier which is safer/easier for cooking etc. (Just don't get anything too bulky). You can also just use a wrap for a back carry, as well as front and hip carries.
Secondly you really need to figure out how to stop getting peed on. Maybe go up a size in diapers for the night, or else change the baby in the middle of the night?
If the morning is too hectic for a bath, then move bath time. Personally I do bath after the afternoon nap. Plus it isn't the end of the world not to have a bath everyday (unless of course they are dirty).
You can only do what you can do, and you can't do it all -or at least not all at once. Consider ways to make life easier:
-Pre-mix bottles and use a bottle warmer
-Don't have a hot breakfast, or find an easier way to cook the hot breakfast. There are toasters that also cook eggs at the same time. Or microwave the eggs. You can precook bacon and just heat in the microwave (rather than using the expensive precooked microwavable bacon). Also home made pancakes can be frozen and then just tossed in the toaster oven. Or you can cook pancakes in the oven. Do as much cooking prep for the next day as you can when the kids are sleeping (peel and cut veg, etc.)
Good luck!
2007-10-21 05:17:01 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh my goodness, I think every mother with two little kids goes through the same crazy days. I have three, a baby, a preschooler, and a son in 2nd grade, so pile his homework, school activities and soccer on top of all that. It's like baby boot camp!
Having a husband who's deployed doesn't make things easier, but not impossible. I encourage you to check out some of the advice from Flylady. Her website is filled with good ideas on maintaining routines for your home and your family to create peace and order. It's made a big difference for us.
Good luck!
2007-10-21 04:58:30 · answer #3 · answered by mamaof3inVA 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What you describe is the typical day for a mom with two young children. What would help you is to find a sitter and get some time to yourself. You need some adult time away from the little ones. Being mom 24/7 can get stressful even for those who dont have the added worry about a spouse's safety.
2007-10-21 04:59:48 · answer #4 · answered by Diane M 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry I know how you feel somewhat.Try getting someone to watch the kids for a couple hours one day and take some time for yourself,maybe just go for a drive,or get your hair done.You need sometime for yourself,all mommies do.Good luck and hang in there I know not having your hubby there can be very nerve racking.Be strong you can do it military wives are stronger than people think!!
2007-10-21 05:01:05 · answer #5 · answered by Victory 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Thats a normal day for anyone with kids.. You do sound like you need a break though. Hire a babysitter and go have some time to your self!!
2007-10-21 05:00:05 · answer #6 · answered by Sweet T 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Switch to cereal for a change!
2007-10-21 04:57:25 · answer #7 · answered by Sami V 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
welcome to parenthood is all i can say
2007-10-21 05:25:56 · answer #8 · answered by mamanana9 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋