Moms of Many August - Page 5

[AnnieA]

Originally Posted by Teenytoona

So hello there! Helen advised I drop in and seek some good advice from you mommas here.

We've (finally) got custody of DSD and DSS and now I'm going from a toddler and "the kids of summer" to a toddler and getting 2 kids ready for school everyday. Woo! DH and I both WOHM and I'm really just dropping in for organizational tips. I grew up in a big family (2nd of 8) so having them here feels more familiar to me, except that now I'm really the go-to-grownup! The two oldest girls don't live with us anymore, though we have had times when all of them (pre-baby) did.

Anyways, hello all!

Get yourself ready before you get the kids up...it makes a world of difference. For me, that means I get up at 5 AM when the kids are home...it's tough but I HATE rushing around in the morning. Also, I pack as much of the kids' lunches as I can the night before so in the morning, all I need to do is make their sandwiches and they are ready. Make a checklist. My DH started this last school year and it was SUPER helpful, especially for the 8 yr old. It has this sort of stuff on it:

-make bed
-brush teeth and hair
-pick out clothes (the night before)
-get dressed
-eat breakfast
-put on shoes and socks

This way if we found a kid wandering around in the morning, we could just say "what still needs to be done on your list" instead of quizzing them to find out what still needed to be done. EARLY bedtimes...gives you time to get stuff accomplished at night and makes for less grumpy risers.

[Storm Bride]

Originally Posted by flapjack

Stormbride, 4 can be many- depends on the kids, IMO.

hmmm...my sister once told me that she'd rather have her 3 (she had 4, but she meant her 3 little ones) than my 1 (I had 2, but she meant dd1, as ds1 was about 11 or 12 at that point) because dd1 was so sensitive and volatile. DS2 has been a much bigger handful than dd1 ever was.

So...I guess I'm in.

[pixiekisses]

Originally Posted by Teenytoona

So hello there! Helen advised I drop in and seek some good advice from you mommas here.

We've (finally) got custody of DSD and DSS and now I'm going from a toddler and "the kids of summer" to a toddler and getting 2 kids ready for school everyday. Woo! DH and I both WOHM and I'm really just dropping in for organizational tips. I grew up in a big family (2nd of 8) so having them here feels more familiar to me, except that now I'm really the go-to-grownup! The two oldest girls don't live with us anymore, though we have had times when all of them (pre-baby) did.

Anyways, hello all!

Have them pick out clothes the day before and pack their backpacks, and then you/them make as much of their lunch as possible the night before.
Get up and get ready before the kids. Then get them up to do their thing.
We eat and brush teeth in pj's, because then they can't mess up their clothes so they have to change. And have a routine, so they know what to do. A PP mentioned a list, might be helpful.

[aniT]

Originally Posted by pixiekisses

Have them pick out clothes the day before and pack their backpacks, and then you/them make as much of their lunch as possible the night before.
Get up and get ready before the kids. Then get them up to do their thing.
We eat and brush teeth in pj's, because then they can't mess up their clothes so they have to change. And have a routine, so they know what to do. A PP mentioned a list, might be helpful.

I think getting up and getting ready before I get the kids up might be what I need to do if we ever want to be on time and have more than an apple or banana in the car for breakfast. But I SO hate getting up in the morning. I think school should be in the afternoon.

[flapjack]

Anyone got recommendations on what we should be looking for in a new car? Our gear box just died

[orangefoot]

Commiserations Can you get a reconditioned gear box? We got one supplied and fitted on the Citroen for about £700.

Maybe next time go for an automatic? Gear boxes on big trucks get a lot of wear.

[mataji4]

Broken cars are yucky!!

Is it possible to unwean? I think we just did that.

We're super busy building a room for our oldest...while dh is mudding and such, I am canning pickles and strawberry jam. Tomorrow it's my turn- painting! NOT a quiet, calm, unbusy life here!

[pixiekisses]

Originally Posted by flapjack

Anyone got recommendations on what we should be looking for in a new car? Our gear box just died

Gliding back doors, that automatically opens if you push the button. (There's even a button on the key chain.)
I love that about the car we sometimes borrow (Peugeot 807). And LATCH to install car seats. And AC, but I guess every car has that now. And no lap belts, but again, that's rare these days.
And enough room. (Duh. )

[flapjack]

We're trying to decide whether to go for another old banger or to commit to a finance deal: which would make it impossible for me to go back to university next year.

Orangefoot, the car has had some problems with electrics recently as well- the new gearbox would be half the car's value

[orangefoot]

That was about half the value of the Citroen too but we couldn't find a newer car that only cost £700!

I like our leather, air con and the light coloured interior. Oh I sound like a 'woman'! The car goes as well which is good.

We know a family with a new-ish Chrysler Voyager that is an amazing beast (with a gliding door) but it is huge. This is her second one and the old one lasted about 8 years.

Other friends have a Toyota Previa which has gone on and on and on but I think the older versions might not have enough diagonal belts for 7. The newer version is all slidey on both sides I think.

Yet another friend with 4 has a VW Transporter which she bought about 8 years ago from the M4 Van Centre which is down your way. It might be worth having a look at what they've got on offer or reading the very small print on any of the scrappage schemes

[flapjack]

I like the very small print (6,500 off a new Sharan), don't like the concept of debt. The mortgage is sucking our soul to start with We're looking at a Fiat Ulysse off ebay to get us through the next few months- it's newer than the Sharan, has FSH, slidy doors and so on. They've been offered £900 in part exchange, but would be happier with cash.

[orangefoot]

I was tempted to a Ulysse when we were looking then some money fell in our lap and the Honda called to me!

[flapjack]

Sounds promising, then. I'm really hoping...it's getting used for commuting (Cirencester to Swindon and back several times a week) at the moment as well as schoolruns, has done long drives no hassle. PLEASE let this work :

[pixiekisses]

We have a new, little baby girl! :

[holyhelianthus]

Originally Posted by pixiekisses

We have a new, little baby girl! :

CONGRATS!! :

[orangefoot]

Congratulations Pixiekisses.: I hope everything went smoothly.

[Kidzaplenty]

Congratulations!

[1growingsprout]

Originally Posted by pixiekisses

We have a new, little baby girl! :

congrats....

[pixiekisses]

Thanks, guys!
The little one is about 6 pounds and in the NICU with o2 and a feeding tube, she's not well, but will be. She's actually sleeping on me in a wrap atm.
Earlier today was two of the kids first day of 1st grade so I took them while my dear was here with the baby. Birthmom wants us to name her, so we're thinking about that (not prepared for it).

[MrsSurplus]

Congratulations Pixie Kisses!

We told our kids, today, that we are expecting and it didn't go well with the 14yo daughter. It didn't go well with her the last time either - although she loves her little brother and sister. It didn't go well with her older sister when she was 16 and we announced that we were expecting. I think it's mostly a combination of the age and gender...but I know she is also embarassed by the size of our family. Anyone else experience anything similar?