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Original poster

Survey for all sahm of more than one child..............

122 replies

stressteddy · 22/07/2007 21:59

  1. How many children do you have?
2. Do you live near family who would have your dc's or who you can pop in on? 3.Do you have any time alone during the week at all?

Just being nosey as am trying to make decisions about having more children
Thanks!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
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MintChocChippyMinton · 22/07/2007 22:22

1 3
2 yes (we moved house to get this)
3 yes, a couple of mornings
4 yes

CalifrauniusFudge · 22/07/2007 22:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Mercy · 22/07/2007 22:26
  1. 2
2. No 3. Occasionaly 4. No (if you mean have a 3rd)

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Original poster
stressteddy · 22/07/2007 22:28

Anyone who is still looking at this....
Are you happy with your lot?
Do you have any help at all? Nanny, cleaner, Ironer?
Are you honestly happy with your life as it is now?

OP posts:
Original poster
stressteddy · 22/07/2007 22:29

As you can tell I am struggling with the concept of another!!!
(I really can't quite believe people would do thi more than once!!!)
Just so interested to hear your tales
thank you for humouring me

OP posts:
Mercy · 22/07/2007 22:31

Oh right have just seen what you mean re question 4.

  1. Possibly (was 40 when I had my second; I feel old and tired and occasionaly panic about my dcs future)
HedwigtheWonderPet · 22/07/2007 22:31
  1. 2 (DS is 6, DD is 2)
2. Family about 20minute driv away 3. Mum often has DD on a Friday while DS is at school, so yes. DD will start at pre-school for 2 mornings a week in Sept. DH often works long hours though, so on a 'normal' day am often alone with them from 7am until ther bedtime. 4. probably
PrettyCandles · 22/07/2007 22:32
  1. 3
2. No 3. No. Had a doula until recently, which gave me some time - I usually used it for sleep. Youngest is 9m, so I don't expect I'll have any time alone again until he starts pre-school in a couple of years. Though dh does sometimes take all 3 out on a weekend. 4. Oh yes, but I don't think I'd manage without help - nanny or aupair, etc. Dh doesn't want to though!
yelnats · 22/07/2007 22:32

SAHM for another few weeks then back to work

  1. 2dd's - 3yo and 5mo
  2. yes - parents just round the corner
  3. yes dd1 stays over with grandparents once a week and dd2 stays occasionally - still bf'ing so more difficult
  4. yes - would love a third but not sure I could afford another maternity leave - and also not sure if grandparents would look after 3 to allow me to eventually return to work and cant afford childcare.

Go on - have another you know you want to

Kaz33 · 22/07/2007 22:33
  1. 2
2. No 3. Youngest about to start school so yes in the last year I have had time while he was at playgroup 4. Love another but DH doesn't think its a good idea.

No cleaner etc..

Totally happy with life, its tough and boring at times - but i gave up my high powered job to do this, so yes am happy with my decision.

PrettyCandles · 22/07/2007 22:35

I'm not honestly happy with my life as it is now, but I know from experience that the first 12-18m is really hard going. I know that I'll get my head back together one day, and be a better mum again, as well as be a couple again. So that gives me a sense of perspective, and I am very happy that we went ahead with no3.

GryffindorGHOSTY · 22/07/2007 22:37
  1. 2
2. No 3. 4 hours a week (DD goes to creche) 4. Hard not being anywhere near extended family ... I did have some reliable friends where we used to live but then we moved again and am back to square 1. So, no, wouldn't do it again without support. But that doesn't mean I would want to be without my children ... oh, well, ykwim ...
CarGirl · 22/07/2007 22:37
  1. 4
2. No - live locally babysit once per month see for 2 hours for coffee once per week 3. Not until youngest at pre-school - oh actually from October 2nd youngest will be at school and hopefully youngest will still have nap, then give up nap and go to pre-school 4. Yes it is fantastic seeing them all play/fight etc they love having each other.

Dh is not a doting dad but is hands on and works locally other wise 4 would have been very hard work indeed

Original poster
stressteddy · 22/07/2007 22:37

Thanks for your honestly prettyc. My dh and I miss each other teribly now - I can't imagine it with more than 1!!
I really do find it all so hard

OP posts:
Mercy · 22/07/2007 22:37

Are you happy with your lot? GENERALLY SPEAKING
Do you have any help at all? Nanny, cleaner, Ironer? NO
Are you honestly happy with your life as it is now? IN MANY WAYS BUT THE DOWNSIDE CAN BE VERY 'DOWN' FOR ME

Praps not a good time for me to answer as I'm annoyed with dh and he can't even see why (grrrrrrrrrrrrr)

magnolia1 · 22/07/2007 22:39
  1. 5
2. Yes 3. Yes now ds1 is several months old I go to bingo for 2 hours on a Sunday 4. Oh yes! Even though I havent slept for more than 2 hours in over a year
Original poster
stressteddy · 22/07/2007 22:39

cargirl -it's your answer about playing/fighting that really makes me think about stuff
In a good way!
Mmmmmm

OP posts:
Original poster
stressteddy · 22/07/2007 22:40

magnolia go to bed nooooow!!!

OP posts:
MintChocChippyMinton · 22/07/2007 22:42

They are there for each other, playing/fighting/just keeping each other company. Let's me get on with other things instead of looking to me to entertain them all the time

CarGirl · 23/07/2007 13:05

I've also noticed they don't "need" friends as much at school/pre-school (that is comparing the younger ones with my eldest who was an only child until the age of 5.5) and tbh I really don't entertain them much at all because they have each other. I also just thing they have each other as they get older and we die, they may not get on but then again they may always have each other.

CarGirl · 23/07/2007 13:05

I've also noticed they don't "need" friends as much at school/pre-school (that is comparing the younger ones with my eldest who was an only child until the age of 5.5) and tbh I really don't entertain them much at all because they have each other. I also just thing they have each other as they get older and we die, they may not get on but then again they may always have each other.

BonyM · 23/07/2007 13:09
  1. 2
2. Parents 1/2hr away so will babysit but not so handy for just "popping in". 3. Only when they are both in bed and dh is in the bath or away on business!
pucca · 23/07/2007 13:11

  1. i have 2 children, aged 3.6 and 11 mth.

  2. do have alot of family nearby, but don't get any help, the only ones i do pop in on is my grandparents.

  3. never have time alone

  4. no is my answer at this moment in time!

BonyM · 23/07/2007 13:11

In answer to 2nd set of questions -

Yes, very happy.
Yes, send my ironing out once a week
Yes - never been happier really, although it's not all plain sailing!

princessmel · 23/07/2007 13:17
  1. 2
2. yes parents round corner. I pop in on them and they come here and help with garden bedtime sometimes etc but they very rarely have them for us. They are very busy, work etc. 3. Only if dd is asleep and ds is at a friends for a playdate after lunch. But he starts school in sept so I should have time each day when dd is asleep. I do go out though. Dh is great. 4. Yes but not till end of next year when dd is old enough to share with ds and I've been bridesmaid twice!!

no cleaner, au pair etc. I also look after 3 other kids at different times/days.
I'm busy!!!