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So this is how it is.
You tick along nicely with your two kids, enjoying the luxurious 1:1 adult: child ratio, thinking how easy it all is and how much fun it’s become now they’re out of nappies and sleep through the night and draw things which look like things.
Then you think, “Hang on a minute, life’s not hard enough – why not have another one?”
And he or she arrives and you enter a fresh hell, where every minute of every day contains at least two demands made of you by at least two children, and where the definition of a productive evening is simply loading the dishwasher and collapsing with a large amount of chocolate in front of The Apprentice.
Well, friends, this is what my life has become recently: except where people are usually like “why not have another one?” we were like “why not have another TWO?” so now we’re realising the implications of that rash decision to hop over from two to four kiddoes. We had a 6 and 4 year old – we’ve now added 1 year old twins into the mix.
It’s kind of a big deal. Who knew??
1) You have to stay on top of the house
Not literally. That would be a crazy stunt of David Blaine proportions. I mean the clutter. The mess. The spillages and unidentifiable stuff glued to the floor.
With two kids, I could kind of get away with not tidying that well each night. Whatever was left out could be sorted in the morning.
Not so now. Whilst I can hardly boast that our household is run with military precision, I know that if I don’t spend the first hour of the evening clearing the main rooms, it won’t be worth getting up the next day. Really.
(And then by about 8am the next day, it’s back to Mess. But at least there was one gloriously tidy hour.)
>>Get the kids involved! 5 Fun Tidy-Up Games for Kids<<
2) There is not so much time for make-up
Fortunately, I predicted this, and have spent the last few months ditching the mascara so that people get used to seeing me looking like something out of a Tim Burton film, and don’t keep plaguing me with that awful concern-cum-insult “You look tired”.
3) Ditto replying to texts
I’m sorry. I really am. I will get better. In about 17 years’ time.
4) Ditto housework
Kind of a problem (see point 1). Note to husband: get me a cleaner. Please.
5) I’m very tired
Again, not great considering point 1.
I’m a night-owl, and all four kids sleep pretty well, but I really do need to train myself to get more sleep. Apologies if you’ve had (or attempted to have) a conversation with me recently. I’m well aware that I’m largely speaking nonsense, making contradictory statements, or looking at you with a glazed ‘Who are you again?’ expression on my face.
6) There is always a child who needs something
With two kids, sometimes – just sometimes – I got a break. Every so often, they would both have full stomachs, full energy levels, fully working toys and a fully functional relationship with each other.
Nowadays, there is always at least one who needs either a) a drink of water, b) a toy fixing, c) a TV programme switching on, d) a cut plastering, e) two Lego bricks separating (thank God for nails), or occasionally f) a trip to A&E.
The thing is, I’m told that one day our offspring may produce grandchildren. They will be fun and sweet and easy to buy for – and we’ll be able to give them back at the end of the day. This, my friends, is what we’re all aiming for, what should keep us going through the endless tidying and fatigue.
So hang in there, parenting allies. Solidarity to you all.
Lucy, you definitely need a cleaner! Every little helps! If Alistair doubts this refer him to me!. It is actually written into the Adoption legislation, particularly when you have 2 children placed for adoption (and when you have 3 under the age of 5!!). (Only joking re: the legislation but, I think you need all the help you can get). You don’t need “burn out”! Lots of love. xxx
Yeah Lucy, I told you our cleaner was looking to pick up a new job! Let’s chat tomorrow x