Attachement parenting many? Including two very little ones???

[rachie]

I have a two year old, a five year old and a six month old - all attachment style parented (co-sleep, baby worn, lots of cuddles, hugs, one -on-one time). 

A friend has asked us to consider adopting a baby (her grandchild) that will be due this Aug/Sept around my baby's 1st b-day.  Because I'd still be nursing my one year old I think it might be very possible to get my milk supply up and nurse the adopted baby (this is all assuming the mom, in the end does not want to keep her baby and does choose us to adopt the baby) - tandem nursing my one year old as well. 

Just wondering - anyone around here have children all this young and close in age?  Obviously it's a LOT to think about and we'd feel humbled and blessed to have this baby in our family.  But I want to address the real concerns myself and the birth mother may have.  What do you (if your children are only a year apart) do to stay attached to BOTH little ones at their own levels of need as well as any older toddlers/children you may have??  I am a SAHM so I am home with them and able to devote all my day to them and the household.  But still - anything I can do to make our home run smoothly and warmly, kwim? 

[skyewriter]

Mine are not as close in age as yours, but I find as i look at posts here that going with the flow as opposed to having preconceived expectations (like that the goal is to get babe in a crib or not to nurse at night or to nap alone...) makes you happiest and most available to your kids. Tandem nursing will keep you there and connected to your will be one yr old.. tandem kept my 3yr old cuddled and close when his sister came.. I have often though how I would love an offer like what you received, and would I give enough attention.. but then I always think that if I were blessed with being preg shortly after giving birth I would manage and be grateful! So if I adopted, same thing -plus if you are mindful of being there attached and available your children will feel it! Good luck, I'm sure that if you do it you will find that just like with any new babe you have times where you stretch to give attention, but the kids know you are there. We homeschool, and since the baby came we have just tossed out regular activities ,, if it works we may attend, if not forget it!  And the older 3 really seem to be enjoying life as homebodies! DH worries they need more to do, but we are very together in the day as a unit, we walk the baby and just do 'stuff' and its been a great and special time. My list? Drop scheduled activities for a while... Get a maid (or start assigning chores) and enjoy a slower lifestyle... but thats me and my list, it worked for us.