HOW In The World Did I Do This?

[DCBlessings27]

I am tired and running around like a mad woman! The babies cry in tandem at times; the preschoolers are fighting over dress up clothes; the play room is a mess; I'm cooking and cleaning when I have a moment. Yesterday, I was trying to eat something for lunch while trying to pump and get 2 babies to sleep while they cried and woke the others.

I just started taking care of a friend's 2 kids for a couple months. I had been on maternity leave since right before Christmas, so I've only had my 3 mo and 3yo. Well, and my 5yo cousin since Feb.

Now, I have a 9mo and 2.5 yo. So, I have a total of 5 kids with 2 infants. I feel so overwhelmed though as if daycare is new to me. Before maternity, I was taking care of 6 kids total--one infant plus being hugely pregnant, but I don't remember being so overwhelmed.

So, kudos to all you ladies because I am feeling like a crazy lady this week!

[lolaland]

I am tired and running around like a mad woman! The babies cry in tandem at times; the preschoolers are fighting over dress up clothes; the play room is a mess; I'm cooking and cleaning when I have a moment. Yesterday, I was trying to eat something for lunch while trying to pump and get 2 babies to sleep while they cried and woke the others.

I just started taking care of a friends' 2 kids for a couple months. I had been on maternity leave since right before Christmas, so I've only had my 3 mo and 3yo. Well, and my 5yo cousin since Feb.

Now, I have a 9mo and 2.5 yo. So, I have a total of 5 kids with 2 infants. I feel so overwhelmed though as if daycare is new to me. Before maternity, I was taking care of 6 kids total--one infant plus being hugely pregnant, but I don't remember being so overwhelmed.

So, kudos to all you ladies because I am feeling like a crazy lady this week!

The difference now that is making it so hard for you is the number of babies... Takes a lot of time to get a baby in a structured routine and because of that its important to me to have only one baby at a time in my daycare group... The rest of the kids are already set in a routine and so it does not make much difference if it is 2 of 5 toddlers... but babies are a different game.
I prefer to have 1 baby+5 toddlers than having 2 babies

[MCC]

I have a mixed group. 2 toddlers, and 2 infants. I find that my days go by best if I just completely accept that I may or may not get a "lunch break" I make sure I make a sandwich the night before, that way I don't have to worry "Am I going to get to eat lunch today?"

Also- The kids eat what we had for dinner the night before. I cook dinner, and while I'm plating it up for my family, I put the kids food into divided Tupperware. That way I do not do any cooking during the day, just take it from the fridge to the microwave and plop in in front of them. I would much rather spend the extra time at night prepping everything then run around like chicken with my head cut off during the day. (I tried it that way for a couple of months and was miserable!)

I'm sure part of it is that you have a 3 month old, and are not getting a ton of sleep, so things seem a little crazier than they are

[cheerfuldom]

yeah its because you have your own infant now. thats means no breaks in the evening or night even. I would let go the daycare baby go and just take 2 and over, till your baby gets bigger.

[melilley]

I feel for you! I have 7, 8, 18, 20mo olds and a 2 1/2 year old. The 8 mo. old is mine and is the easiest baby ever, but the other baby cries A LOT! And the 18 month old is very rambunctious and can be mean so I have to constantly have him by my side or am going to get him while he runs away when I have to do things! I feel like a mad woman most days too! I have found that as you get to know the children and get a routine going (as best as you possibly can) that it gets easier. I'm not going to lie, it can be hard though! I actually just wrote a thread on not taking infants anymore once that baby that I have leaves this summer! I rarely ever get any type of break! I do sit sit with the children and try to eat, but most days that does not work out! I love babies, but with mixed aged groups it is hard with them! Or I should say with more than one!

[melilley]

The difference now that is making it so hard for you is the number of babies... Takes a lot of time to get a baby in a structured routine and because of that its important to me to have only one baby at a time in my daycare group... The rest of the kids are already set in a routine and so it does not make much difference if it is 2 of 5 toddlers... but babies are a different game.
I prefer to have 1 baby+5 toddlers than having 2 babies

Boy am I finding that to be true!!!! I will never have more than one baby at a time in the future! I have 2 now and it can be difficult! I love babies, but with the mixed ages, it's too hard sometimes!

[JLH]

yeah its because you have your own infant now. thats means no breaks in the evening or night even. I would let go the daycare baby go and just take 2 and over, till your baby gets bigger.

I agree. Things just get too hard with babies and other age children when you're on your own. I would only keep your baby and the older kids. After my last fiasco with some very colicky babies plus my twins who were 2 at the time, I changed my policy and only accept age 18 months and up. Good luck!

[just_peachy]

Babies are tough! Are you getting any sleep? :hug:

[Patches]

I'm right there with you :hug: My assisstant saved my sanity this week. We have a 2 mo, 4 mo, 6 mo, 18 mo, 22 mo, 2 1/2 yo, 3 1/2 yo & 5 1/2 yo. So 8 all together and 5 under 2 makes for some hectic days

[AmyKidsCo]

((hugs)) Just remember that each day you make it through is another day closer to their being older and easier to care for.