Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Ack

The other night, all of the kids were on our bed. Katherine was reading the bedtime story, Eli and Helen were listening, and the baby was kicking and grinning and trying to eat his sister's foot. Later on, Scott said, "I was looking at all of them on our bed thinking, 'Wow. We have four kids.'"

It's been that kind of a week. Usually things cycle around so that one person is in the parental spotlight. As my friend, also a mother of four, says, "I can only worry about one of them at a time."

This week has been about trying to focus on everyone at once. Orthodontist! Optometrist! Vision therapist! School registrations! Star of the Week! Field trips! Food allergy issues! Teething! Colds! Sleepless nights! Insurance! Finances! Prescriptions! Phone calls to doctors' offices! Swing low, sweet chariot! (TM Tess)

It's the business side of parenting that throws me sometimes. The feeling that I'm the president and secretary of a small, poor, slightly dingy workplace with untrained, underage employees. But I imagine this part of the mothering job will only increase, so I'd better get used to it.

Time to make some phone calls....

11 comments:

  1. Man, I love you. It is exactly like being "the president and secretary of a small, poor, slightly dingy workplace with untrained, underage employees." That's perfect. And I only have TWO.

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  2. "It's the business side of parenting that throws me sometimes. The feeling that I'm the president and secretary of a small, poor, slightly dingy workplace with untrained, underage employees. "

    Man you hit the nail right square on the head with that one!!

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  3. Aw, I am getting a bit mooney over everyone having four kids (Ok, you and Devan and Erin) but not meeeee.

    Harumph. It is a lot of work. Worth it, though. Always worth it.

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  4. I have to second Misty's comment, above. I'm having a little fourth-child envy! =)

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  5. YES, I agree with the first two commenters: WELL PUT. I also really like the part about only being able to worry about one of them at a time.

    I get a shock when I see someone else's family picture. I'll be like, "WHOA that's a lot of kids!" and then "...Wait."

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  6. I'm cherishing these school-free days with my kids because I know it's going to get even crazier when we through that into the daily mix. I don't know how moms of 4 do it.

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  7. The business side of parenting! That is genius! I HATE HATE HATE the appointments and reminders and projects ETC. THAT is the part I suck at.

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  8. I think we had an identical week last week, complete with Jim staring at me reading to the kids and remarking, "Huh! We have THREE KIDS! How did that happen?"
    I HATE the "manager" part of my job description. HSA's, dentist appointments, does she or doesn't she need speech therapy, blah blah blah... can't I just bake cookies?

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  9. Motherhood is hard, but wow...I'm thinking having only one child looks easy now. ;) I don't know how you all do it. I'm in awe.

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  10. I am not a parent so I can't relate in that way. But it seems like you are a wonderful parent and handle the ups and downs gracefully :)

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  11. Yes! It is the business stuff that bogs us down - and man, the food allergy stuff is a big chunk, no?

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