Question: I love this thread also. I have 5 small kids ages 9 to 4. How do you handle the stress when several kids are having a bad day at the same time. Such as when, in my case, the oldest is whining because he has too much school work and he'll never get it done. The 6 year old is running around the house and jumping off the couch when he should be doing his school work. One 5 year old is screaming because life isn't fair (and her meds aren't working well). One 5 year old is in the pantry eating marshmallows (She climbed on a bucket which she pulled to the door so that she could unlock the pantry). The 4 year old won't put the puppy down and change her clothes which she has pottied in for the 3rd time that day. Obviously, this is just one of my examples, but how do you handle the stress and get everyone back on track?
Answer: Your answer lies in your first line:"I have 5 small kids" That is TRUE.
Do you allow yourself to function in that truth?
I often see moms with these huge, high expectations of what their life should be like. We watched to much "Leave it to Beaver" and "The Brady Bunch" growing up!! The mom was perfect. The kids -even when in trouble- were perfect. The house was perfect (Kids lived there?? there was no sign of them!)Well, Beavers mom had her kids in school all day. They were not there long enough to mess things up! And the Bradys were not only in school- but had a full time, live-in maid!!
Have we even had a bad day? Duh.
I think it is the moon. It pulls the tides and maybe our brains?? LOL!
My advice? First get your house in order. A cluttered house adds to the recipe for disaster.
Second, find a way to do school that is not so labor intensive for you. Keep school short and sweet. You will actually get more real learning in.
Third, when THOSE days happen- go with it. Have the 5 year old dump the marshmallows in a big pot for you. Having the climbing 6 year old climp up and get a box of cereal. Have the other 5 year old get a spoon. Tell the 4 year old to change so he can help cook- AND WASH HIS HANDS! Have the 9 year old measure out butter and cereal (math for the day) Then make rice crispy treats together.Take them to a blanket spread on the livingroom floor. Take turns reading with the 9 year old outloud while everyone eats treats and listens. Make your voices funny as you read to keep them entertained. Then get out paper and colors. Have everyone draw a picture of you making treats today to give to daddy when he come in. Then everyone go into the kitchen and make a game of making a special supper for dad. The 9 year old can stir. The others can fetch supplies and dump things in. Let them set the table fancy. Go find pretty flowers (weeds? leaves?) to put on the table. Count (math) out plates, forks, glasses. Put on music while you are working! (art appreciation) Then go outside while supper is in the oven. Make welcome home daddy pictures with chalk on the driveway or porch (writing AND art)
Learn to look at life with fun in mind. School is really a fake thing. It is the name we gave to learning how to LIVE. Real learning can take on many forms. ;) Be sure to tell dad what a great school day you had! Hugs, Barbara
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