I have always been characterized by adding an extra weight on any task or duty that had to play. So if you had to do 30 pushups I self-imposed 35, I always carried and brought all the books for fear of not having all the material at school (that broke my back), I repeat the notes until they clean, I read three books a week when other took three weeks to read a whole book... I have tried to emphasize the extra effort that entails. Overcome is generally good but there have been many times when I was feeling heavy -it's a full-blown confession- and I had not been able or it was too late to throw in the towel and give up the deed. Now I am practical and capable.
How could it be otherwise... I have more children than average (fortunately I have no immediate family member of my generation with more than five children...) And neither can it be otherwise, there are moments I feel weighed. However, unlike the above, my family is the best thing that has happened in my life. I love them!
To cope with the burden (weight) of being their mother I have an exceptional training thanks to the great love I feel for them and also thanks to a series of common-sense rules that make my life easier and that I want to share you. Most are usual but also there are a few tricks that allow me to do several things simultaneously.
My basic rules:
- We must share the responsibility and tasks among all adults living in the family: father, mother ... grandparents. I say "living" because the family unit is composed of all people living under one roof and should be self-sufficient. To have other family members or external people is helpful but it is a risk. Ideally, any adult should handle the situation alone so that, although they are accustomed to have assigned roles, all of them can do everything. Much more flexible! Ideal when someone is traveling!
- It is essential to establish a routine that allows children to anticipate the next step. Thus there are no surprises and you can more easily avoid disputes and fights just avoiding each time we are starting something. We are all to some extent, resistant to change (for laziness, tiredness, because we are entertaining ...) and especially children. It is much easier to discuss who is the first starting into the tub (which they assume to be bathing) reason that made each day whether to or not.
- Tasks can be simultaneous. It is important to stop thinking what and when, but the "day to day" gives us a clue. If we work outside home, the obligations should focus on a shorter time span and it is therefore vital. I recommend observing the time it takes for machines and get used to not move from one room to another empty-handed.
- It is essential to learn to delegate and trust in children. Although we make things better and faster the involvement of children in the performance of some tasks can share the burden (weight) of home and teaches them to value and respect them. They can make beds, set the table, hanging clothes, leave the rooms collected by passing, help to preparing meals, going out to buy bread ... etc. They can!
And some tips:
- Whenever I have a child in the bathtub and I have no choice to do something else while (dress another child, make it sure it doesn’t burn the dinner, put strips a child that has been cut with the edge of the paper...) I make the child singing. If she/he stopped singing I would career stick to the bathroom. It never happened.
- Getting children to do homework together creates a good learning environment, promotes collaboration between them and allows us to look at all while we perform some task in the same room. I usually work with the computer, reading or folding clothes and answering questions after asking the other... so I think that they increases and refresh knowledge of previous courses.
- I have two shelves full of all kinds of basic school supplies for the unexpected. Cardboard, colored paper, etc. I use to take offers supermarkets and replacing it as time I use it.
- In the fridge I have schemes with schedules and extracurricular activities: Pooling, Gimm, etc.... Over the years I have reserved some boxes that have bathing suits, towels, caps, tracksuits and several for all of them. So if something is not ready they can still use the part of some of the sisters/bothers it fit enough.
- Since in the weekend we have more time, we take advantage for particular caring of them. So I carefully washing head to all children, cut their nails, hair review, I look for lice... and I put moisturizer. While I make the massage with the cream I have the opportunity to spend some time pampering and "count the number of purple" It is a way of seeing that they are well and healthy. My husband likes to play with others in the meantime.
- Each day one of us is the hero of the day. So we try to ensure that, throughout the week, all receive the love of all. That day, for a while, we strocking hair by seating on the couch and cuddle, a children's story... and so on.
... To be continued ...
