SAHM....How do you do it? My morning so far....

[tiff211]

I have always told my girlfriend who is a SAHM, it takes a special person because I don't believe I could do it full-time.

I am home on maternity leave and usually it's me, DD(almost 3) and the newborn. Okay, I cheat and take DD3 to daycare (hey I have to pay anyway to hold her spot!) DD5 goes to school. She has today off due becuase it's professional day. I begged DH not to leave me home alone to be outnumbered but he left anyway. I even tried to bribe DD14 to stay home but she told me I couldn't pay her enough and wished me luck as she walked out the door. This morning is my first day with the three of them! I promised I would not sit them in front of the tv.......well guess what?

So far, DD3 poured my new bottle of shampoo, body wash and shaving lotion down the tub, too off all her bedding, I have not been able to leave the baby for a second, DD3 is right there. I ran to wet a washcloth and caught her trying to switch her binky for the babies. I have stopped 5 fights. The last one I heard them yelling, I was breastfeeding so I called out,"what are you guys doing?" to which DD5 replies very sweetly "fighting!".

So I am smelling this odor as I am getting them dressed, feeding them, etc. and I can't figure out what it is. Oh that would be me as I realized I have showered since Tuesday morning. EWWWWWWW! There is just no way with DD3 and the baby. I tried one morning and we were all cramped in my tiny bathroom and DD3 was trying to brush the baby's "teeth", wash her hands and finally push the bouncy seat out of the bathroom. Only thing, the bouncy seat is not meant to slide, they tend to fold. So, I had to get out of the shower with shampoo stinging my eyes, in the buff, dripping wet. Of course DD3 managed to slip on the floor to top it off. WHy don't I take a shower at night or once I drop her off you ask? I don't know, I am sleep deprived. I forget!

So, I figured the baby is sleeping, they are playing in their room, and DD5 will tell me if DD3 goes to bother the baby. I tell DD5 I am going to take a quick shower to which she asks "can you squeeze your ****y real quick so I can see the milk?" I know I won't get any peace in the shower if I don't so I tell her this is the last time and I proceed to milk myself. She giggles and tells me I look just like I cow. I know what she meant but that is still a cruel thing to say to a woman with a post partum figure or lack thereof.

Now, I am in the shower and realized a) I have no shampoo for my hair and b) no body wash to clean myself and c) no shaving cream to shave with. So I use DH's manly smelling soap to clean and shave. As I am on the last armpit, I hear the baby wail. Take it from me, shaving is not something you can rush trhough, I learned the hard way. My underarm is raw! Of course I had to go easy with the deodorant.

I get out of the shower and they are in my room at the bassinette with their dolls brushes. I get out and they make the mad dash out of my room. Then I noticed DD3 has undressed and has her undies and CInderella slippers. I threaten that I will make her go to school like that. Little do I know, I have given her permission to fufill some exhibitionist dream she has, becuase her face lights up.

I re-dress her, put them in their room to watch doodlebops and get me dress and finally the baby who is hungry....AGAIN!!!

Well, we are leaving now to drop DD3 off and run errands.......the adventure contnues. Is this what it's like all the time. It' not even 10:30 and I am exhausted!!!!!

 

[Pam]

Sorry - couldn't help myself!

 

[vacanut]

oh my, I'm tired after reading your post!
This is what scares me about having children!!

I hope your day gets better.

 

[damo]

Ah, the good old days. Thanks for bringing back those memories. My kids are now in university and high school and I miss having littles ones sooooooooo much!

 

[Tea Please]

I'm with Pam

Sorry but been there done that ain't never going back again!

 

[Sonya]

I teach high school.

I rould rather do that than stay home with 3 kids.

Enough said.




You are very brave!!!!!

 

[Pam]

I'm with Pam

Sorry but been there done that ain't never going back again!

I keep telling my kids (20 and 17), "Use really good birth control, cause I ain't watching your kids!!"

 

[kejoda]

Been there with boys. You will survive, maybe

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Is this what it's like all the time. It' not even 10:30 and I am exhausted!!!!!

Yes, but mine are 9 & 14 and believe it or not you kind of miss those days.

I keep thinking of "Mr. Mom" with Micheal Keaton...."You're doing it wrong"...(when he goes the wrong way thru the drop off lane)
Everyone knows you take a shower the night before or BEFORE any kids get up when you have little ones. Otherwise you go around looking like dawn of the dead most days.
Now that mine are in school I can shower AFTER the mayhem.

 

[cepmom]

so sorry to be laughing, but it's just too funny not too!
I have been there too...and it does get better! Hang in there!

 

[Rex Rules]

You just reminded me why we only have 1 child. I would be completely insane with all that going on.

DD is 10, so I am basically her alarm system, chef, transporter and provider of "stuff". I loved her being little, but I also love the stage we are at now. I have plenty of nieces and nephews and a very large family so there is usually someone with a baby. Ah, and you can just pass them back to Mommy or Daddy when they are crying.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Welcome to the world of SAHM, it gets better. My DSIL actually had the nerve to say to me "I wish I had the luxury of staying home". I had to just change the subject, there wasn't anything I could say in response to that comment that wouldn't of hurt our relationship even more. This is from the women who when she was home with the kids for all of 2 hours was calling me looking for a place to send the 5 year old.

I remember when I bought my 2nd home from the hospital, I could take care of the baby just fine, it was the 4 year old that was making me crazy!

Get those older kids back in day care and school and enjoy your time with your new baby!

(It does it get better, it really does.)

 

[FINFAN]

Ohhhh, it does get better, I promise! To be honest, you actually will have more control over them at this age than when they are teens! Kids are like sharks...they smell fear and take advantage! I know the sleep deprivation thing, my kids are both early risers and night owls...not one of each, they just do not require more than 6-7 hours sleep! I on the other hand...DO! The only benefit to the torture of SD is that you will not have memories of it, as you were too tired to form any! Start with setting the limits, this is new for them too, to have you in charge all the time instead of at work. I tell my kids all the time we are all learning as we go...they didn't get to try this growing up thing out on different parents, and we didn't get to practice parenting on different kids. Showering daily is overated with little ones...why do you think all these lovely fragrant body sprays were created and the stores are conveniently placed near a childrens store in the malls? Sheer genious. Just make sure the kids look more disheveled than youdo and you got it made!
Seriously, hang in there...sounds like you're doing fine...keeping a sense of humor, everyone is fed and breathing and happy at the end of the day...what more could you ask for?


Pam

 

[Kermit]

I tell DD5 I am going to take a quick shower to which she asks "can you squeeze your ****y real quick so I can see the milk?" I know I won't get any peace in the shower if I don't so I tell her this is the last time and I proceed to milk myself. She giggles and tells me I look just like I cow. I know what she meant but that is still a cruel thing to say to a woman with a post partum figure or lack thereof.

LOL! You're a good mom.

I only have two so far, but they're 19 months apart, so the first few weeks were interesting, especially since I broke my tailbone during the birth and it took me about 3 full minutes to get to my feet. I had DH put up anything the older one could get into so that it was practically impossible for him to misbehave, and then I learned to let things go for a while. His behavior did regress a little bit, but when I started to feel better, we had "boot camp" for a few days, and then everything got back to normal.

My kids love riding in the car and in their stroller, so when the days get rough, we go shopping. Sometimes it takes a long time to get decent enough to leave the house, but they're more cooperative when I can bribe them with a trip in the car.

 

[bajanswife]

I'm not a SAHM, but I have been alone at home with my 3 many times, from the time the youngest was a newborn and the other two were 1.5 and 3!

I always figured that if the newborn was protected, the other 2 couldn't get up to too much mischief in 10 minutes, as our house was pretty safe. We had high latches on the outsides of the doors to keep the kids out of unsafe rooms e.g. the bathrooms. So in our house the baby could be in the crib in her room, and the door could be closed and latched so that the other two couldn't get in to bother her. I'd take the monitor into the bathroom with me, and the other kids would be just playing somewhere, with the house doors locked and the kitchen and spare bathroom closed off (either latched or baby gated). Now with mine aged 2.5, 4 and 5.5, I'm not so protective of them, and I do whatever I need to in the house without an issue.

Yes, it's hard to do day in and day out - I was grateful I only had to do it sometimes! Hang in there - it will get easier!

 

[leahannpen]

OH BOY! My days as a SAHM are STARTING, come November 17th.

I will have baby, who will then be 3 1/2 months old, and DS who is 4 1/2. I've offered to watch a friends daughter, who is 1 1/2 on Thursdays and Fridays and I might watch a 6 month old on Tuesday and Wednesday. What am I getting myself into?

I know exactly where you are coming from, trust me. And watching other people's kids is just going to add to that.

I'm quitting my job of 15 years since day care for 2 basically eats up my entire check...especially after you add in what it cost for GAS these days! So, sending one to day care is not an option! Though DS will be starting kindergarten next fall.

I'll watch the extra kids not because it sounds like fun but because it will suppliment our income...(if I EVER want to step foot in a Disney park again! LOL!!) (And to help pay bills, of course, which is what I tell DH, but the Disney trips are the real reason! Shhh!! LOL!!)

Best wishes and thoughts to you. You won't ever get this time back again, and in a few short months, it'll all be a distant memory, so try to enjoy it as much as you can...heck...it's not like you have a choice LOL! So make the best of it!

 

[Beauty]

I had to laugh too. God blessed me with the wonderful gift of LOVING the antics of children. They just tickle me to no end. The things they think and they say!

I can't wait for the 3s again .

 

[MosMom]

Everyday is a new adventure.

 

[grlpwrd]

You're too funny!

I have 5 kiddos and I am home with our 2.5yo son and baby girl. Soon after I brought her back from the hospital I was in anguish thinking what am I going to do with them? It worked out, though, as I'm still surviving.

Yup, it's all about surviving day to day when they are very little ....and making memories.

 

[huey duey & luey]

I completely understand, I have been trying to get my kids dressed for the last 1:15 to go to the bank and the mall. I just gave up told them to forget it and went on the computer . Sometimes I feel like I am 3 also Good luck