Pre teen and weanning is anyone eles going through both?

[fidelma]

My life is a juggle , my DD1 is very pre teen and I am also weanning the baby.Anyone eles going through the same sort of thing.I would love to hear your stories.

That'll be us next year and for some strange reason I wasn't phased by it, should I be

I wasn't too phased by it but everyone needs so much attention.I always go to bed feeling that someone hasn't had enough.(i also have 2 in between)

I found 3 quite easy but for some reason 4 feels alot

I would't change it but life is hectic at the moment.

I don't find three easy so perhaps I'm planning for the worse lol

I do love it but I am exhausted.I have just got all 4 to bed.DD1 has growing pains and is struggeling to go to sleep,I have just got DD2 out of bed to sort out her washing which she dumped on the floor of the laundry,clean clothes and allI have read 2 Mr men books to DS1, the baby went to bed at 7pm which is great but I have been making and freezing baby food.Oh and the kitchen is still upside down, all the wellies are at the back door with mud on.

When is the baby due? and how old are your other DC?

Hi,
The baby is due in June, I have three over sensitive high strung girls of 5, 7 and 9.
Tbh at the moment i'm being a bit distant from them because I am so knackered all the time and on such a short fuse so once the baby is out I can hand him over to DH apart from BF and re establish my relationship with my daughters again, I feel as if I've been away for 6 months
I'm also not planning to aim so high this time, sleepsuits, breast feeding and a cleaner will get us through I hope.

Are you in a good routine ? That's the other thing I am quite worried about, certain things will have to happen at certain times otherwise everything will fall apart and I am a bit crap at that sort of thing.

Hi similar ages I have a 9,7 and 41/2 year old.Sleepsuits,breast feeding and loads more hours for the cleaner

I also felt distant from the others when pregnant but that has all passed and everyone is settling down.They watched alot of TV

I under estimated the help my older 2 would give me.In the early days DD1 would offer to look after the baby while I had a bath eat my supper etc.Much easier than a 2 year old and a baby.

I got into a routine earlier with baby number 4 partly because I finally know what I am doing.

However he was colicy and had silent reflux, so he was hard work at first.He is now 5 months and on solids ,which has made him easier.

I feel that all the others have had wee wobbles and various points.DS1 (4year old) was quite angry at the lack of my attention in the early days.I gave him quick massages in the evening, which was a killer as I was exhausted however it has payed off,he quickly calmed down.DD1 is going through alot of growing pains at the moment and her molars are comming in so she is needing help to relax.DD2 is pretty contented and loves her life.She has had extra time with me while doing extra school work.DH and I grab what we can.

I am looking forward to August when all big 3 will be at the same school at the same time.Perhaps I will then get some more me time.

just re read your post and see you are having a boy.A blue one what fun he will be soooooooo adored in your household.

A boy! congratulations. I read somewhere that boys who have several sisters grow up to be great communicators who are in touch with their emotions probably due to the strong women in their life! I have DD1(11)DD2(3 next month) DS1 (19 months) DS2 (6 Months). I'm very lucky at the moment that DD2 and DS1 sleep for about 2 hours in the middle of the day at the same time. However the teatime/bathtime/story/bedtime couple of hours is hard work especially when DP is out or still at work. The plus side is that they amuse each other and i'm hoping they will always be close.My preteen can either be a great help or totally self absorbed!depends on her hormones from day to day!

The girls are so excited and I'm glad DD3 isn't loosing her littlest Princess status I think she'd have been a bit put out.
I'm looking to get some help in for tea time, not to leave the children with her but to just have an extra pair of hands as I know I cannot leave a baby to cry it stresses me too much so he'll need to be held by someone whilst tea is cooked.
Dh and I have 30 years ahead of us when they've all left home so am not worried about him lol

Yes teatime is a very full on experience.Especially during the first few months when the baby really needs to be held.(well at least my colicy babies do!)

hi, sounds like your coping just fine! my youngets is 3 now but when he was born my older 3 were aged 11, 8, and 6. I hadn't been planning on him and had thought my family was complete, i had completely forgotton how hard sleepless night and endless feeding was! My eldest was an angel and has become his other mum, she's my only DD so is surrounded by brothers. (Also have 2 stepsons!) The thing I found hard, and till do if I'm honest, is switching from being mum of a toddler - going to toddler groups, playing with him, wiping bums etc - to being mum of teens, sends my head in a whirl every time! Attention isn't a problem, they all get plenty its just different for the older ones.

Thanks We have had a lovely Easter break.We decided to stay at home as we have everything that we need here for all ages.

Now that the baby is almost 7 months things seem a bit easier.Also the others have ajusted to their new baby brother.

I do find that I need to be a bit stricter with them otherwise we would be in chaos.