It's all Time Management
My friend Jen, who is expecting her 5th (yes, fifth) baby, insists that it's all time management. For example, whenever we manage to catch one another on the phone, she usually is in the middle of something, about to go drop off or pick someone up, or going somewhere (doctor's appointment, dentist, gymnastics, etc.). Heck, she can even email and make phone calls at the same time, a skill I myself have not been able to master. But what really had me floored was the day I found out she was painting her dining room. While pregnant. The best I could do when I was pregnant was to muster enough energy to put fresh sheets on the crib before heading for the hospital to have the kid.
She warns me right up front she only has say, 4 minutes to talk. And in those four minutes I learn a heck of a lot, let me tell you. I'm in awe of this woman, whom has never once in the course of our 12 year friendship complained or griped about her duties as mom and general CEO of the household. Not once. This woman can toilet train a toddler in her sleep, is on a first name basis with the nurses at the emergency room, and can take 4 children grocery shopping without breaking into hives. On a good day I manage to leave my children home with daddy so I can go grocery shopping.
So, it appears that the answer to my daily question (how do you have 3 kids and maintain a semblance of sanity) is TIMING.
Get Andy to speech on time in the mornings? A Teletubbies video popped in at 8:14 a.m. and insert child into clothes while he is absorbed in watching squat figures in strange costumes run around after a blue vacuum cleaner. During this time, it is also possible to dress one year old and get self into bathroom. Teeth brushing is optional for mother (I'm not the one in speech) but can be accomplished for three year old with Teletubby video as bribe. At all costs, do NOT put on video before brushing of teeth. Otherwise speech teacher will look askance at child and give you dirty look for inflicting milk-cheerio breath on her. At end of video, grab 3 year old, stuff into his jacket and without breaking stride, insert him into the car seat and go. Remember to also wrestle one year old into his car seat. Any dirty diapers will have to wait until after we get to our final destination.
Going to the pediatrician? Start two hours ahead of time. Get children ready first. Wrestle them into clean clothing (which you had to go dryer diving for) and get shoes on now, before you're wrinkled. Pull out toy they haven't seen for awhile and dash into bathroom to change out of sweatsuit with bleach stain on one cuff and sweet potatoe stain on the shoulder. While changing, dash out a few times to break up fights over toy and kiss boo boos. Attempt to dissuade youngest from emptying the contents of the bathroom drawers onto floor (he followed me to the bathroom after the fight with his big brother) while struggling into clean shirt. Clean up mess, grab one year old in football hold, and jam feet into shoes on way out of bedroom. While restocking diaper bag with the necessities (diapers, wipes, snacks, drinks, spare clothing) sternly inform one year old the videos are not for stacking in the kitchen sink, particularly when full already with breakfast dishes. Change baby's diaper, then immediately get into car seat. In remaining 14 minutes, convince 3 year old it's time to go, run a brush through my hair, and find immunization cards for both kids.
I asked Jen when she got the housework done and she told me, "oh, you know. Just grab a few minutes in between going places and getting the kids ready." Panting from my recent get-ready-to-go-pick-up-oldest-from-kindergarten rodeo, I could only gasp out, "I've got to go" and hang up the phone.
All I can say is, I'm in awe. Oh, and I need to paint my bedroom.
She warns me right up front she only has say, 4 minutes to talk. And in those four minutes I learn a heck of a lot, let me tell you. I'm in awe of this woman, whom has never once in the course of our 12 year friendship complained or griped about her duties as mom and general CEO of the household. Not once. This woman can toilet train a toddler in her sleep, is on a first name basis with the nurses at the emergency room, and can take 4 children grocery shopping without breaking into hives. On a good day I manage to leave my children home with daddy so I can go grocery shopping.
So, it appears that the answer to my daily question (how do you have 3 kids and maintain a semblance of sanity) is TIMING.
Get Andy to speech on time in the mornings? A Teletubbies video popped in at 8:14 a.m. and insert child into clothes while he is absorbed in watching squat figures in strange costumes run around after a blue vacuum cleaner. During this time, it is also possible to dress one year old and get self into bathroom. Teeth brushing is optional for mother (I'm not the one in speech) but can be accomplished for three year old with Teletubby video as bribe. At all costs, do NOT put on video before brushing of teeth. Otherwise speech teacher will look askance at child and give you dirty look for inflicting milk-cheerio breath on her. At end of video, grab 3 year old, stuff into his jacket and without breaking stride, insert him into the car seat and go. Remember to also wrestle one year old into his car seat. Any dirty diapers will have to wait until after we get to our final destination.
Going to the pediatrician? Start two hours ahead of time. Get children ready first. Wrestle them into clean clothing (which you had to go dryer diving for) and get shoes on now, before you're wrinkled. Pull out toy they haven't seen for awhile and dash into bathroom to change out of sweatsuit with bleach stain on one cuff and sweet potatoe stain on the shoulder. While changing, dash out a few times to break up fights over toy and kiss boo boos. Attempt to dissuade youngest from emptying the contents of the bathroom drawers onto floor (he followed me to the bathroom after the fight with his big brother) while struggling into clean shirt. Clean up mess, grab one year old in football hold, and jam feet into shoes on way out of bedroom. While restocking diaper bag with the necessities (diapers, wipes, snacks, drinks, spare clothing) sternly inform one year old the videos are not for stacking in the kitchen sink, particularly when full already with breakfast dishes. Change baby's diaper, then immediately get into car seat. In remaining 14 minutes, convince 3 year old it's time to go, run a brush through my hair, and find immunization cards for both kids.
I asked Jen when she got the housework done and she told me, "oh, you know. Just grab a few minutes in between going places and getting the kids ready." Panting from my recent get-ready-to-go-pick-up-oldest-from-kindergarten rodeo, I could only gasp out, "I've got to go" and hang up the phone.
All I can say is, I'm in awe. Oh, and I need to paint my bedroom.
posted by Kirsten at 2:24 AM
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