[StorkWatcher]

Hi! I'm a mom to one 1 year old. I think I've done pretty well w/ the single child thing.

Recently, we've needed to take in our two neighbors' kids while their dad is in the hospital. We'll probably continue this for several more weeks.

We've started keeping them at our house at nights, because I wasn't doing well being away from the baby at bedtime/overnight and trying to run the 2 households.

I want to keep their routine similar, yet I can't care for them well unless my routine is also the same as it has been, as much as possible.

I work full time. There is a girl who is 12 (almost!) who is very helpful, motherly. The little boy is in kindergarten and is 6.

For the first time, we're trying to juggle school and homework, meals and dishes, holiday activities, daily routines, etc. And oh my gosh!!! LAUNDRY for 2 households!

Their parents let them watch WAY more TV than we would allow and they eat a little less healthy, so I'm trying to be lenient in those aspects a bit. (MAN - I had no idea kids ate so often!!!!)

We're starting to settle in. Their mom is trying to come home once every few nights to see them and sleep in her own bed (poor thing!).

Any tips on juggling everything would be great. I want to be sure they feel loved, safe and cared for at all times, while still giving my baby the attention he's used to.

The kids are GREAT! No behavior issues. Just a little too used to being able to laze around. I try to give them different activities/games/things to do to keep them busy away from the TV.

Thanks in advance!!!!!

I'd love any helpful advice!!!

[Tudu]

My TV barely comes on, after homework they help me cook, I engage them constantly with conversation about theri interests, etc. This week in addition to tons of therapy we are making holiday gifts, ornaments, and a gingerbread house. Mine love to paint with water colors from the dollar store, make cards, or other crafty crap. With 7 kids, I never hear "I'm bored!" I swear it is the stranges thing.

[StorkWatcher]

Thank you. I don't think it's strange at all. W/ my one year old, I'm already doing some of these things, and always envisioned my older children doing the same.

I think my challenge right now is trying to get them out of their normal routines and into more active roles, while not bumping them out of their comfort zones or make them feel resentful that I'm trying to change their lives while their parents are gone.

[SchmennaLeigh]

Hey Stork...

We've got three kids going on right now. Nick does get a little bit grumpy when I'm paying too much attention to JD or Munchkin. One thing that I do extra with Nick during visits (three kids) is wear him more than I usually do. That way I can still play with Munchkin but Nick feels safe and important.

Can you interest the kids in reading more since they're more used to TV? Special story time? Perhaps engage them in writing a book for their dad? You can supervise while holding your little one and still manage to help them write and come up with ideas.

[StorkWatcher]

Oh my gosh - the writing a story for their dad is AWESOME! Last week, they colored pics for his hospital room while I wrote him a letter just about their day and what they were eating/wearing/doing. Mundane, but he loved it. A book is a GREAT idea! Thanks.

And, uh, if my husband would buy me that dang MeiTai Carrier that i've been hinting at since mid-Sept (when I thought was doing it through your coop), the wearing would be MUCH EASIER!!! HELLOOOOO - IT'S THE ONLY THING ON MY C'MAS LIST RIGHT NOW.......

Ahem.

[SchmennaLeigh]

I could email your Husband. LOL.

...or santa could. HA!

[StorkWatcher]

Santa Schmenna,
Not only have I told him about you, I've shown him the lovely pics on your blog! HELLOOOOO - how much more obvious must I be? I has crossed my mind to give you his email address........ I may do that yet.

[hotspice58]

My 2 watch limited tv when they're not on punishment. Cartoon channel and Nickeleodon. My cousin has a very laissez-faire attitude with her daughter (daughter has watched music videos since she was 10 and is alone on the computer). I tend to keep my kids closer to me.

[SchmennaLeigh]

Here's a new picture! I put the Munchkin in a Mei Tai that we bought for a friend of ours that we threw a shower for to show her how to work it.

http://static.flickr.com/126/320163066_ad7b60f800.jpg

[EmmaLeigh2882]

Perhaps I do not fully understand the situation. I don't want to sound callused

As long as there isn't anything life threatening with the father ( is he going to die- or is he recovering slowly?)
I don't see why you are too concerned about not changing their routine to fit your home/family.

They are some what old enough ( at least the oldest is) to understand what is going on and that you are watching them just for a short period of time. Since it is close to the holidays and a busy time of year I would enlist them in helping make YOUR day smoother. IMHO its just like going on vacation, you don't do things exactly the same way as you do it at home.
So even though they haven't left the neighborhood they are in your house so they would expect for things to be a bit different. ( Don't be mean about it and make them into Cinderella or anything). Just be frank... " around here we don't watch too much TV, after you have finished your home work you have ____ ( 1 hour- 2 hours- 20 minutes- one show - whatever) to watch TV. Then You will need to find something to do- in our closet we have all kids of games and toys you can play with. Or you can write Christmas cards to the local hospital to give out to the children there...ect"

Kids fall into routines easy enough when you don't give them options. If they know that they can whine and you give in then you will have a harder time...

( my mother was dying my whole life, I was cooking full 3 and 4 course meals at age 8, cleaning the house, homeschooling and taking care physically of her from then on too- not to mention plenty of nights staying with my mom in her hospital room sleeping on a chair- did the same with my dad when he got cancer and died... I managed ok- from my understanding of the post, this isn't a situation where the father is dying- if so, then yes be more sympathetic and patient- try to keep the routine similar.)
It may just be easier for the children to adjust to you if things are a bit different then at home- they aren't at home after all.

I hope I am not coming off too brash... I just feel like as the parent- you need to keep your life as calm as possible to be able to do your best. Never feel guilty for that.

[StorkWatcher]

Emma - Actually, part of the reason I've been so reluctant to change is that their dad had been close to dying in the past few weeks. As of today, the docs think he can recover, but it might take another month before he can come home. And their poor mom is just bending over backwards trying to make things as normal and easy on them as possible. (I have mixed feelings about that. I think she's going a little overboard spending $ on them, trying to make up for not being with them. But I sure can't say I wouldn't do the same thing if I were in her shoes!!!)

BUt your advice is helpful! Thanks for adding it.



Jenna - I LOVE that you can use these w/ bigger kids!!!! That's the best part. How CUTE IS SHE all squished up against you??? She has the brightest eyes and smile. She's just a doll.....

[redbonec]

I was just thinking--what about involving them in making the dinner you all will share--one could make a salad, one could set the table, etc.?

Maybe they would enjoy reading to Baby A!

[2manyks]

kids usually resort to TV when there is nothing else to do. give them a few options and they will love it. visit the library or book store. take them to the grocery store with you. anything you are doing they would love to do too. they can help you with your christmas cards, wrap presents, organize your toy closet. is it cold? they can take your little one out sledding or push the stroller around the block. kids absolutely love this one. oh yeah, do you have a dog? one of my kids is in charge of taking the dog for a walk everyday. visit a museum, especially if you have a childrens museum somewhere close. see santa at the mall set the table, cut up fruit for a salad. fold laundry, take out the trash. buy a swiffer and they will love mopping the floor, i promise. home made play dough, they can even make it. baking anything from muffins to cookies. after being with you they might not want to ever go home, lol!

[deanac24]

Ok I really dont want to sound mean here but why is the mom staying at the hospital overnight? Shouldnt she be home taking care of her kids? I realize her husband is very sick, but her kids need her too. Just my opinion.