Running a household with a 4 year old, 2 year old and a newborn is, in one word, busy! I don’t mean - Oh I’m a bit busy because I’ve got a few things on my plate, I mean busier than I could ever have imagined!
The baby feeds every few hours. While doing this I’m also required to read stories, do puzzles and meter out hollow threats to little ones who take the opportunity to jump on the furniture or climb on stools to raid the fridge.
Babies are really labour intensive, so there is also changing, washing, settling and just cuddling. In between this Big Sis has an active social life of various engagements, dance class, Kindergarten, play-dates etc which require the organisation of a major conference just to get her there and back, with the baby, Little Bro and Big Sis.
Plus everyone has to be shopped for, and fed and Little Bro still needs some one on one time with his toys so he doesn’t miss out. The kids need to get out to the park to run about for a couple of hours every day and Dog needs the occasional walk otherwise he retaliates by getting into the garbage bins and barking just as the baby nods off. Kids need to be bathed every day and put in pjs and have stories read - always at the time the baby really wants some attention.
Even the small things like - the bins need to go out, or the groceries need to be put away have to be fit in somewhere. There are hours every day just picking things up and putting them back in place. Don’t even get me started on the volume of washing, drying and folding (I haven’t ironed for 3 years - I let that ball drop a long time ago…)
Fortunately love is the most amazing motivator - it’s all very Zen, you just have to ignore everything peripheral and get absorbed in the moment. It reminds me of going camping where the relaxation comes from being totally absorbed by the basics, food, shelter and structuring a day in what are adverse circumstances!
DSO and I have no time for anything at the moment except survival, and as we remarked the other night (across crying baby and yelling children) we got ourselves into this mess - so we better enjoy it! I just hope no-one is expecting me to answer the phone or return a call in the next 6 months!
busy, household organisation, newborn baby
