We are going to have to chill out with 3 kids, arent we?

[transformed]

Today my dh and I were at the grocery store a LONG time with the 2 and 4 yr old. When we got to the car, hubby kept demanding (over and over again)that ds buckle his seatbelt despite the fact that there were at least 5 good minutes of grocerys to put in the car. (I would have probably let ds doodle around the car-he is pretty fast if you let him have an inch.)

But I was thinking, while I might have acted that demanding of a single kid, I think I am loosening up at the thought of having 3 little monkeys around.

We are going to have to chill out, arent we?

Big time. :

[Jess A]

We have. Being outnumbered by the kids has definitely taught us to prioritize and not sweat the small stuff .

[library lady]

Chilling out is a must. You cannot be so high strung with 3 kids. You have to pick your battles. I find that being playful helps a lot.

[Ruthla]

Oh, I was outnumbered when I had 2 kids as a single mom! I learned really fast to prioritize!

By the time I had my 3rd child, partnered again, it was downright easy!

[flapjack]

What Ruthla said. At the same time, if the kids refuse to put their seatbelts on then that just means you don't leave the car park. No biggie...

[transformed]

being outnumbered....thats going to take some getting used to! LOL. I feel like its going to be hard to "run the show.."

[j924]

Just yesterday, my ds our fourth child was brought out of his Sunday School class for acting up. He wasn't doing anything dangerous(hitting,running etc). He was just crazy silly. We spoke. He went back. Everything was fine. If that had been one of my earlier ones I would have been mortified. It's somewhat freeing this chilling out!

[lilyka]

we actually went the other direction. i was much more all about giving them freedom and letting them have their space and do their thing when I had one and their behavior effected mostly them. There is no way we could do that now.

[Kidzaplenty]

I have really leared to chill out. But I am REALLY out numbered here!

I remember with one I was very organized and she was always clean. with number seven, I am just glad when he does not stink and is not bleeding!

So many battles that I have found not worth the fight. I save all my energy for the important ones!

[Brigianna]

Yep. Four kids and I have mastered slacker mommyhood. Sure, cereal can be dinner, why not? Who says pajamas aren't going-out clothes? "They" always say that someday you'll look at these years and laugh. So why not laugh now?

At least, that's what I try to do. Goal: laugh more, chastise less.

[TEAK's Mom]

Originally Posted by Brigianna

Yep. Four kids and I have mastered slacker mommyhood. Sure, cereal can be dinner, why not? Who says pajamas aren't going-out clothes? "They" always say that someday you'll look at these years and laugh. So why not laugh now?

At least, that's what I try to do. Goal: laugh more, chastise less.

For some reason, this just totally rocks.

Just thought I'd say that.

[transformed]

Originally Posted by Brigianna

Yep. Four kids and I have mastered slacker mommyhood. Sure, cereal can be dinner, why not? Who says pajamas aren't going-out clothes? "They" always say that someday you'll look at these years and laugh. So why not laugh now?

At least, that's what I try to do. Goal: laugh more, chastise less.

Sweet. I am already there.

I am still trying to learn to get over the people who actually brush their kids hair...cause I never have. (But they tend to look decent despite that-ds has a buzz and dd is curly so doesnt need it really.)

I was made for 3 kids.

I am so good at slacker-mommy.

[Hazelnut]

Yes, though I think one still has to be way more organized, planned, or whatevered ahead of time, imo. And you have to keep quiet when people with one child say here or elsewhere say they would do X in Y situation when you know that that would be nearly impossible with 2 others! I know that's obnoxious to play the number game, but it is a different ballgame with more kids, no matter their temperament (and my hat goes off to the mama of 4,5,6, or 13 kids). People tell me I am so patient all the time, which I find really hilarious, but I think #2 and #3 mellowed me in ways I haven't realized! I mean it's mellow or totally go bananas.