Number 3 has been giving me a hard time.
He’s being rude and disrespectful and full of attitude.
I feel like all I’ve been doing lately is sending him to his room.
Last weekend he had a cold.
And then two days ago he got a cough which has gotten progressively worse.
It was bad enough that today I took him to the doctor.
The kids basically have to be on fire or missing a limb for me to get to that point.
So it was pretty bad.
I lucked out and got an appointment while the little guys were taking a nap, so it was just the two of us.
He was a completely different kid.
And not because of the cough.
We had a really good time.
After the doctor’s appointment we ran into Target to get a gift card for a birthday party we were going to, and then we stopped quickly at the grocery store.
We talked and laughed.
We even held hands.
There wasn’t one tiny smidge of attitude.
Huh.
I’m pretty conscious of the fact that I don’t have date nights enough, or ever, with my husband.
But it didn’t really occur to me, until this afternoon, that I really need to schedule in some alone time with my kids, too.
Hopefully, next time, it won’t take a case of viral pneumonia to make that point so obvious.
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Hope #3 is feeling better. I had that a couple of months ago while Terry was in need ofr 4X a day eye drops and I was so sick, I ended up trying to sleep in a chair in the living room-always w/ a cup of bouillion and a cup of honey tea beside me. Did end up going to the dr’s about a week later than I should of and w/ the various prescriptions and inhaler did recover, but believe me, it was hell.
Hope #3 is feeling better now. We’ve all just recovered from a cold ourselves.
I love the fact that you are ready to admit things like this…sometimes it just hits us right? hope he is doing better
aww hope he’s feeling better and glad you got some one on one time!
My daughter asked me for girl time, today. So, I’m going to take her and her sister out to lunch.
Even if it’s just a little time in my room alone with them, I try to give them individual time.
It’s hard though, with a big family, as you well know.
Great reminder to keep working at it, though. They’re definitely worth it.
Hope #3 gets to feeling better soon! I enjoy reading your blog and have to tell you that I have taken your advice from 2 of your previous posts to heart. I realized I was one of those people who would just walk past someone without saying hello or smiling – at least to strangers. I have started smiling and/or saying hello now. It’s nice to get a smile in return. Also, your post that said to say yes more often was spot on as well. I have been home with my 10 yr old son all summer (I’m a teacher) and as our vacation is ending, I’m spending more time getting ready for that start of school year and need to be reminded to make time for him. So, even though I didn’t really feel like playing basketball, I did and I really did have a good time! Thanks!
I only have 3, but learned early on to have “mommy and me” dates/days with each of them. When #3 was born, #2 was only 14 mos. old. He got into the routine of waking up about 3 am, just as I was finished nursing his baby sister and getting her back to bed. He’d want to just sit on the couch with me, have a sippy cup and watch Mickey Mouse club. We did this every night/morning for months (and I was already back to teaching school everyday!) When I told the pediatrician about it, his remark was, “Well, with a big brother and a baby sister, this is the only time he’s getting you all to himself.” So…we did it for as long as he needed it, sitting there, dozing back off on the couch together and sleeping there til the next feeding for sister.
As the kids got older, I found that each year on their birthdays, when given a choice of having friends over for a party, or having a “mommy and me day” (lunch out, movie, maybe shopping or go karting or bowling….)..they almost always chose the day with me. Even now, even the boys who are 16 and almost 21. They still like their alone time with me.
It’s very important!
I hope #3 feels better soon. My oldest daughter asked to have a girl’s shopping day without her sisters…just the two of us. I realized that my kids really need this one on one time. I took my #2 the dentist and she had a blast, because it was only her…she was the center of attention and their was no one to take it away from her. Susie, I hope you are able to fit in that one on one time with the kids. Good luck!
I recently took each of my (5) kids separately to the bakery to have a pastry, and i wish i could do it so much more often but it is so hard to fit in. I am such a better mom one-on-one but obviously having siblings is important too. I am so much more patient and calm and i enjoy their company, its so different to the hectic day to day life, in a way its quite sad.