Ask a mother of 14 continued

Question: My question is . . . how on earth do you get time for yourself? Do you feel totally overwhelmed sometimes? I know I do with just 2, so I'd love to know how you cope with so many running around. :)Oh, and one other question, what are their bedtimes?

Answer:
My computer time is time for myself! So is my bath! LOL! Time for yourself is over-rated. LOL!

Really though, I know what you are asking. My kids are not babies any more- so "me" time is no longer an issue really. I can remember when I had four in diapers- just shaving both legs in the same bath was "me" time. HAHA!

One thing that helps moms of small children is a set bedtime. That will give you some breathing time in the evening. Bedtime is almost set in stone at our place. When my kids were small it was hard to achieve- it took a lot of early training. But it paid off!Bedtimes are staggered here. Until 8 years of age they go to bed at 7. Now I go with them and spend 30 min talking, reading, or just being together. It is the smaller kids mommy time and we treasure it!At 8 you stay up till 8:00, At 9 you get to stay up till 8:30. Once they go to bed they can read for 30 min. If they don't want to read the light is OFF. (Sneaky huh?) At 10-11 you go to bed at 9. Same thing- can read for 30 min or lights out. At 12 bedtime is 9:30 unless we are watching a movie together- then we often fudge it a bit. :)Once they hit teen years they stay up as long as the want basically. BUT, breakfast, chores, and school start at the same time each morning. So if they stay up too late they feel rotten all day- so it is a self limiting thing pretty quickly. :) Mostly they go to bed when hubby and I do, but sometimes they stay up later.Having the little ones in bed on time gives us time for those teens to talk if they need to. Somethings just are not easily said with small ears around. Even just political type talk is better with-out little ones asking silly questions. Having that time with teens lets you be comfortable with each other in a friendly way too. We watch movies we probably would not pick if it was just hubby and I. It is a good thing. We learn a lot. :)


One thing that is also set in stone is our weekly date.We started that when the kids were small- and did it at home.:) Now we have older kids, so actually go out. Keep in mind that your kids will grow up and leave you. You don't want to be left strangers! You need to stay lovers. ;)and not just in the bedroom.As far as daily me time, train your small children to play by you quietly and let you read or sew or type. Kids can be there and you still think! HAHA! Hugs, Barbara