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How do you handle the stress of having a lot of small children?

Grace - posted on 07/11/2012 ( 3 moms have responded )

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How do I handle my stress level right now? I have 4 kids, 2 5 yr olds , through adoption and birth, and twin three year olds. I also have 3 teenage stepdaughters who dont live with me. I am currently expecting another baby in September and feel like I'm losing my mind. On top of all this, I have a group daycare where I spend my day with up to 12 children. I work from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm. I am exhausted and feel I can't keep up.
My husband gets really stressed when he is home in the evenings and sometimes can't deal very well. I have no choice about the daycare because it is my only option as I could not afford daycare and we have to have two incomes.
I also have started getting preeclampsia again with this pregnancy and my doctor keeps telling me to slow down and try to keep my stress down or I will end up in the hospital on bedrest again. How am I supposed to slow down with 4 small children?
My 4 kids are starving for attention and often throw fits and backtalk. I have tried timeouts, withdrawing priveleges, etc but nothing seems to work.
I feel really stuck and don't know what to do. My family is busy and can't seem to help me much to give me a break. How do you deal with the stress of a big family, and what do you do to deal with discipline issues.

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Shauna - posted on 07/24/2012

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Have you tried 1-2-3 Magic? This isn't an instant fix by any means but if you give it a couple of weeks it will make a difference! I have 9 kids & 1-2-3 Magic kept me sane... even helped me with my 3 special needs kids. :0)

www.123magic.com

Seriously, it was the best thing I found to help with behaviour & discipline.

In the meantime, have the kids spend as much time as they can outside, if possible... it'll do you some good as well. Let them play in the sprinklers, have a water balloon toss, get water guns and let them keep fillinf them up from a bucket of water... keeps popsicles or Otter Pops in the freezer all the time... Make sure all the kids have a 1 hour "quiet time" where they can all look at or read books or watch a movie together... have "table Time" where the kids all sit around the table(s) & do puzzles or play with playdough or colour.

Give the kids (even the younger kids, who can walk) a wet rag & have them wipe the kitchen cabinets down or scrub the floors in the kitchen with the rags but use their feet. My kids LOVE to do this!

When I have very young kids, "Table Time" was the only way I was able to get the dishes done & clean the kitchen. Quiet time was my time to clean the bathrooms or do some laundry. But you can use this time to relax yourself.

You need to take care of yourself too! Specifically now that you're pregnant! You cannot feel guilty about sitting down for 10 minutes every hour... drink herbal tea & lemon water. Water with apple slices & a cinnamon stick in it is very good for you & will give you energy... just make a pitcher in the evening before you go to bed & it'll be nice & cold in the morning; drink it all day!

Good luck, Mumma! (((HUGS))) And remember, DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF!! :0)

Pam - posted on 07/23/2012

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Stop having children.

Chaya - posted on 07/17/2012

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Take all the children to a playground with other moms and children. You need some fresh air, adult conversation and a little freedom

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