Some people will tell you that after having three kids any more children you add to your family won't give you the shock you got when you had number three. And some people say that those people are crazy! For the last nine months I have been wondering which people I would agree with. And now I know.
In a lot of ways it has been lots easier. I know what to expect. My other children are older and able to help me or entertain themselves when I can't help them. The kids can go play outside with their friends when I need to have peace and quiet. Jared finally understands that it's normal for the house to look like nuclear weapon has just gone off... And, Honey, it probably will look that way for the next 6 months. So for those reasons having four kids definitely didn't have the shock factor that three did.
But I also agree with the other group. It's usually about 5:30 in the evening and Jared isn't home yet. The kids are hungry and I'm nursing the baby. And suddenly through some chain reaction all the kids are yelling and crying and trying to tell me whose fault it is and why it's not their fault their sister is crying. Then the baby gets upset and now I have four screaming, crying children. And I think- Wow, having four kids really turns up the volume level like 4 times what it used to be. Now they all have to cry louder than everyone else to make sure I can hear them!
And this is, luckily, all in the privacy of my own home. I have not even attempted to take all four anywhere alone yet... I can not imagine what that would be like. But I am sure a lot of you out there could tell me...
Oh, happy days are comin'!
We have 3 boys, so double the volume at our house - lol! I know what you mean about trying to nurse the baby and the kids end up fighting or yelling about something...then someone ends up crying....and before I know it, all 3 kids are in tears.
ReplyDeleteBeing a mother is a busy job, don't ya think? :)
Sooo....how was the transition to 3?
ReplyDeleteIf anyone can do it, you can!
Transition to 3 was hard for me. I wasn't unhappy, just totally overwhelmed. I couldn't accomplish all the things I used to be able to in one day. Ellie liked to be held all the time so the house got dirty and dinner was never done. It was the first time I felt out of control. Now... Things are still out of control I've just gotten used to it!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I can't wait to hear how your first venture alone out in public with the 4 kids goes, that'll be entertaining!
ReplyDeleteFour was hard for me!!! But so was three, so was two, and so was one at the time. All stages have different challenges. Only now can I look back and say, "Oh three wasn't so bad." As far as I can tell, one more is one more, and it adds a whole lot of new challenges. It's o.k. for the house to look the way it does. And it will for a while (maybe forever like in my case). It doesn't get any easier in that respect, 'cuz the mess just follows you around. But, I wouldn't have it any other way. My kids are my life and the house comes second. Plus, I have to find a little time to blog and read e-mails to keep in touch with the real world. So let the raucous begin while "The Wild Things" roar!
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is I was SO grateful when those multi child seater shopping carts were invented!
ReplyDelete