I was prepared, somewhat, for the amount of laundry and the cooking. I knew that, realistically, I'd be stuck in the laundry room and the kitchen. I was ok with that - I like to cook and don't mind the laundry, except for the folding part. (That gets me every single time - I'm a whiz at powering the dirty wash through, but getting it put away can take a few days.)
I wish I had known two very important facts about having multiple children. Number one, that I'd spend an inordinate amount of time and money in doctor's offices. My kids are relatively healthy, barring the asthma and allergies - but it still seems like we should have our own room. I know everyone by name and feel lucky if I'm in only once in a month.
The other little factoid I wish I'd been privy to is the overwhelming amount of STUFF that gets lost/misplaced/just flat out disappears every single day. This morning was a prime example. I did not represent for the Moms of Big Families well. As in, at all. As in, if anyone had seen me, it would have been a direct recommendation for double forms of birth control to be employed at all times.
Monday Emma came home from Muay Thai and she took off her white uniform. She gave it to me and I put it in the washer with other white clothes and bleach. I put those clothes in the dryer. Nikolas brought his wash down and did three loads. (What can I say, I'm lucky to get him to DO his wash, never mind to do it in a timely basis.) I did another load and brought everything out to be folded. I tossed it on the couch and then went to bed.
Tuesday I did not fold the clothes.
Wednesday I folded the clothes and put them upstairs in everyone's room while the kids were at school. I put away the towels and washcloths and sheets and put the big kids wash into their rooms. (I do not fold theirs, and they are theoretically supposed to wash their own - but they sneak random pieces into my loads.) Emma had Muay Thai and I sent her for her uniform when she got home from school. She couldn't find it. I knew I had done wash and everything was folded and, if not put away, at least in their rooms. I made her look again. And again. Finally, she put on Gabe's top and we went to class - ten minutes late.
I spent Thursday and Friday looking for that stupid top. She skipped class Friday - somewhat because I had a meeting with a friend, but also because I was sick of looking for that stupid top and just gave up.
One thing I pride myself on is organization. We have hooks and shelves, spots for everything, calendars and lists galore. I KNOW where stuff is and I KNOW where we are supposed to be at any given time. I remind people to put away belts/coats/shoes/bookbags - I swear to God, I feel like a nag and I HATE to be reminded myself. We have lists for them to check (remember the chore charts?) but it always seems to fall to me to remind them AGAIN to check the lists and realistically, just HOW many lists can one person put around the house?
Saturday morning we got up and had multiple places to be. One soccer game at 10 with two girls. One Muay Thai class at 9 with two kids. Game one of a three game soccer tournament at 9 several cities away. I sent kids who needed soccer stuff to get their cleats and shin guards.
They could not find them.
I sent Gabriel to get dressed for class.
He could not find his belt.
At which point in time I went just a little postal. I had to look for everyone's everything. Meanwhile, the kids in question could be found muttering to themselves, "I don't understand. I put it (whatever the lost item was) right where it belongs." My husband informed me that I was in need of some calming down - a point I wasn't too happy to hear - and it went downhill from there. I was REMINDED, rather forcefully, that I am the parent and it is my JOB to teach them to be organized and to put their stuff away - to stand over them, if necessary, and make sure that they do it.
I hate like fire to do that.
But I am going to have to, for I hate mornings like this one worse.
I was prepared, somewhat, for the amount of laundry and the cooking. I knew that, realistically, I'd be stuck in the laundry room and the kitchen. I was ok with that - I like to cook and don't mind the laundry, except for the folding part. (That gets me every single time - I'm a whiz at powering the dirty wash through, but getting it put away can take a few days.)
I wish I had known two very important facts about having multiple children. Number one, that I'd spend an inordinate amount of time and money in doctor's offices. My kids are relatively healthy, barring the asthma and allergies - but it still seems like we should have our own room. I know everyone by name and feel lucky if I'm in only once in a month.
The other little factoid I wish I'd been privy to is the overwhelming amount of STUFF that gets lost/misplaced/just flat out disappears every single day. This morning was a prime example. I did not represent for the Moms of Big Families well. As in, at all. As in, if anyone had seen me, it would have been a direct recommendation for double forms of birth control to be employed at all times.
Monday Emma came home from Muay Thai and she took off her white uniform. She gave it to me and I put it in the washer with other white clothes and bleach. I put those clothes in the dryer. Nikolas brought his wash down and did three loads. (What can I say, I'm lucky to get him to DO his wash, never mind to do it in a timely basis.) I did another load and brought everything out to be folded. I tossed it on the couch and then went to bed.
Tuesday I did not fold the clothes.
Wednesday I folded the clothes and put them upstairs in everyone's room while the kids were at school. I put away the towels and washcloths and sheets and put the big kids wash into their rooms. (I do not fold theirs, and they are theoretically supposed to wash their own - but they sneak random pieces into my loads.) Emma had Muay Thai and I sent her for her uniform when she got home from school. She couldn't find it. I knew I had done wash and everything was folded and, if not put away, at least in their rooms. I made her look again. And again. Finally, she put on Gabe's top and we went to class - ten minutes late.
I spent Thursday and Friday looking for that stupid top. She skipped class Friday - somewhat because I had a meeting with a friend, but also because I was sick of looking for that stupid top and just gave up.
One thing I pride myself on is organization. We have hooks and shelves, spots for everything, calendars and lists galore. I KNOW where stuff is and I KNOW where we are supposed to be at any given time. I remind people to put away belts/coats/shoes/bookbags - I swear to God, I feel like a nag and I HATE to be reminded myself. We have lists for them to check (remember the chore charts?) but it always seems to fall to me to remind them AGAIN to check the lists and realistically, just HOW many lists can one person put around the house?
Saturday morning we got up and had multiple places to be. One soccer game at 10 with two girls. One Muay Thai class at 9 with two kids. Game one of a three game soccer tournament at 9 several cities away. I sent kids who needed soccer stuff to get their cleats and shin guards.
They could not find them.
I sent Gabriel to get dressed for class.
He could not find his belt.
At which point in time I went just a little postal. I had to look for everyone's everything. Meanwhile, the kids in question could be found muttering to themselves, "I don't understand. I put it (whatever the lost item was) right where it belongs." My husband informed me that I was in need of some calming down - a point I wasn't too happy to hear - and it went downhill from there. I was REMINDED, rather forcefully, that I am the parent and it is my JOB to teach them to be organized and to put their stuff away - to stand over them, if necessary, and make sure that they do it.
I hate like fire to do that.
But I am going to have to, for I hate mornings like this one worse.