As a mom of many, other moms are always curious as to how I keep my sanity with so many children. "I would lose my mind with that many kids!" But the truth is, whether you're a mom to one, two, or ten, we will all face moments when we feel like we could very well lose our minds!
My friend Vicki hits the nail on the head when she says, "If you have two children, God gives you what you need to handle those two. If you have ten children, God gives you what you need to handle ten."
It may be that sometimes moms of many need to be a bit more creative in how we maintain our sanity, but I think overall, it's important to maintain a routine and be consistant no matter how many children you have!
For the rest of the article, head on over to The Marathon Mom!
Great post! I love the quiet time in the afternoon. Right now my oldest (4) is napping some days, and not napping other days. He also shares a room with his sister (by choice now that we have a new house), so if he is in with her he needs to be napping. Just today I decided it's time to separate them for naps so that he can do quiet things like you mentioned without fear of waking up his sister. Two hours just seems so long to make a 4 year old be by himself without sleeping. Do you have any take on that? I'd be fine with it, I just don't want to be cruel =) Maybe for him I'll have the first half hour be a "try to sleep" time since some days he does still sleep...hummm lots to think about!
ReplyDeleteAmy...that's a great question. And I think it really depends on the 4 yr old and family dynamics. For instance, I'll lay down with my 4 yr old...because like your son, sometimes she sleeps and sometimes she doesn't. Since I put her down in my room, I stay with her so she's not tempted to "explore"! lol I usually give her about 30 mins. If she doesn't fall asleep, I send her upstairs to her room, which she shares with her 7 yr old sister. When I send her up, I remind her to get into her bed with a book. After that first hour is up, the two girls either read together or play quietly in one of their beds. So, for her, two hours isn't a big deal because she's either asleep or with Chloe.
DeleteI know a couple of moms who do a one hour rest time instead of two. Maybe that would better for your son. But I like the idea of doing a "try to sleep" time...that's where we are with our 4 yr old. :)
Thanks for your response! These past few weeks I've been having him rest for a half hour or so (about half the time he falls asleep), then he has to read books for a while, and then he can play quietly until his sister gets up and then they finish the 2 hour rest time playing together in their room. It's working pretty well!
DeleteI instituted the "Sanity Saver" rest time about a month ago. Now that school has begun, it's not practical... but I'm finding that some still need it (and I sure do!). Just not sure how to make it all happen and still accomplish what needs to be done for school. The 2yo and baby usually nap, but I'm doing school with youngers and then it's supper prep time.
ReplyDeleteWe have always sent our kids to bed early. People look at us like we're crazy when we say they ALL go to bed around 8pm. ;) Yes, even the 12 and 14 yr olds. My 12 yo in particular NEEDS his sleep... and, as you said, it's time for hubby and I to spend without distractions.
Thanks, once again, for your wise words. :)
~k
chenlili20150629
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