[artgirl]

argh...

I've always TRIED to avoid saying "no" to my kids unless it was necessary for some reason (safety... health... etc.) but now I hear "no" coming out of my mouth all day out of sheer laziness. This morning I wouldn't let them play in the mud... and when they asked why I admitted it was because I didn't have the energy to clean them up. Then my dd wanted to paint. Again... I said "no" because I couldn't muster up enough oomph to get all the stuff out, watch her, and then clean it all up again. "no" my ds couldn't play with the hose. "no" you can not get the cushions off the couch right now, "no" you can't come on a walk with me instead of taking a bath... no, no, no.

I hate it. The things they are asking... normally... no problem... but right now I just can't do it. When we go outside to play I just plop my butt in a chair and watch for the most part. "mom, come look at this spider"... my answer..."no, I'm resting." I am not this kind of lame mom. I normally enjoy playing with my kids, I like to see them exploring things, even if it means mud, but I think I could sit in a chair and daydream for hours now. Or clean... I do have some energy to clean because... well... because I'm nesting.

:

I colored today with my dd while ds took a nap. I can handle the quiet activities. I took them to the Children's garden the other day. I try to let them know I still love them... I just can't play with abandon right now. Soon mommy won't be so huge and immobile. I love being pregnant but NOT when I am also required to entertain two other little people with LOTS of energy. What a lame-o summer for my kids.

 

[Cujobunny]

Don't feel too bad, it will be over soon

I'm feeling quite lazy too... usually I'm out running around in the backyard with ds chasing and kicking a ball. When I do it now I feel like my baby's going to fall out. So I sit in a chair and throw it to him

Yesterday I sat in a chair and blew bubbles and he chased them around the yard. Perfection.

 

[mamamoo]

Oh man I feel ya. Have you talked to them about it? I keep telling my kids I am sorry, I am so tired, and my back hurts a lot so I can't do all of the things I normally can. I think they get it for the most part. I do say no way more than I should, and I think I never got all the way out of the habit of it from when I was pregnant the last time.
Energy, I need some, and maybe motorized chair.

 

[artgirl]

hmmmm... motorized chair... I like it.

Yes, I do talk to them but I hate to give the impression that pregnancy is some kind of miserable experience ya know. I don't want to whine to my kids.
I usually say that it takes lots of energy to grow a baby so I'm a little bit tired right now... or something like that. I don't want to scare the bejeezus out of my dd so that she never wants to have kids of her own.

 

[mom22girls]

I'm hoping my girls won't remember the baby making mama sick, taking her energy, making her grumpy. I've done the same as you, saying no a lot. I'm so glad that if I take them to the playground, they run around together and I can pretty much just sit back and watch. I'm blessed that they get along so well and that my 5yo has been such a big help to me (when she's not giving me attitude

)

 

[Twinklefae]

What I've been trying to do at work (and keep in mind, I get to send all my active little people home at the end of the day, so I have only a little idea of how you are feeling!) is plan at the beginning of the day how much mess or active stuff I am prepared to deal with. So I know in the morning if it's going to be a paint project kind of day, or if it's a crayon kind of day. And I let the kids know why. Of course I also have a coworker, and a room which is set up to be easily cleanable, so I have no idea how practicle this is for you.

Also, instead of saying the word no, I've been suggesting alternatives. "Can we do foot painting?" "How about taking the glue outside with us instead?" You know? Otherthan that, I'm sure your kids understand (to some degree) that this won't last forever, and will be very happy to have you back being active with them, but will cope for now!

hth!

 

[wendyland]

Yeah, the kids are kind of on their own right now. Luckily they are 3 1/2 and 8 and don't have to be watched all the time plus they go to their dads for half the week.

 

[mommysusie]

I've been horrible lately. I found out that if I give the kids video games, I get quiet time and get to take a nap. I know that sounds horrible, but I so need the time to myself when I get home from work.
I try to get the kids out of the house a couple of times a week, but I pick places that I can sit down and veg out while they play. I used to always get involved with them and play, but lately... I have absolutely no energy.

 

[mama2walden&luna]

Yeah, my dd is having a pretty lame summer because of me. I try to take her to the park when I can, but like mom22girls, I just sit and watch. Which is a bummer for my dd because she is often the only kid, or the other kids are too old or too young to play with. I sucks for me too, because I usually like to play with her, I just don't have the energy right now. I do, however, sit in the kiddy pool while she plays in it

 

[artgirl]

Quote:

Which is a bummer for my dd because she is often the only kid, or the other kids are too old or too young to play with.

That's the beauty of having two kids already.

Even though I'M worthless as a playmate... my kids play together.

I miss the interaction though. I don't want to be one of those parents that are just kindof always *around* but not interacting with their kids. My parents were a little that way. But, what are ya gonna do?? For a few more month we'll all have to suck it up a little.

We do have a extended family trip to a cottage on lake Michigan planned in July... right on the beach. I'm pretty sure I can waddled down to the sand once a day and sit on my tush to make sand castles.

Maybe even frolick in the water for awhile before it's nap time. I can't wait.

 

[mommysusie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by artgirl That's the beauty of having two kids already. Even though I'M worthless as a playmate... my kids play together.

Yes, I agree. This time around it is easier because they do have each other to play with.

 

[josybear]

especially in the last couple of weeks i've been incapacitated for the most part. i lie on the couch because sitting in front of the computer is too much work. i listen for ds and call to him if it sounds like he's doing something he shouldn't. when i get him food i get a half dozen things and leave them where he can reach so i don't have to get up again for a while. my pubic bone is separating and the more pressure/ weight i put on my pelvis the worse it gets. so dh gets to come home to a filthy house with everything on the floor... he's being so great about all this. i truly love that man.

:

 

[momuveight2B]

Me too. I have been taking the kids to swimming lessons and I get in too with my youngest so that at least I am getting some exercise. I am getting some of the homeschooling done and to the library on Fridays. The only really big no right now is going to the lake. It is just too hot for me and no shade there. I also have to admit climbing up the beach to the car just winds me and takes what little bit of energy I still have right out of me.

In the afternoons I have to let them play video games and watch tv because if I don't lay down I can't get through until bedtime. They look forward to this quiet time though because they are usually pretty tired too and way too hot to go outside.

I get morning chores done, something in the crockpot and the shopping/errands done. But by the time dh comes home it is all a disaster again. Last night he was being the martyr folding laundry, running the dishwasher and yelling at everyone. He is not normally like this. I told him to stop and sit on the couch with me. That was much nicer

: I got a nice footrub out of the deal too!

 

[Autoemesiss]

Today has been one of the worst. I have another uti am up to go to the bathroom every hour at night and then DD woke up at 0430. I just sat there and cried because I knew if I got up she would be up for the rest of the morning miserably. She did fall back to sleep but I couldn't go back to sleep and then she woke up at 0615 ready for the day. I felt like I was crawling though the morning. Diaper was changed, DD was fed, but that was it, sesame street was on the entire time. DH came home from his night shift at 0915 and I went back to sleep. DD is so unhappy because we do things in the morning and the whole routine was out of wack and now my DH is going to be a zombie for the rest of the day because he hasn't slept. i just want to cry.