Too many children and doesn't know what to do

[struwellpeter]

Help! I definitely feel like the old woman today.

DS1 sent home from school ill.

Forgot DS2's interview at new school so feel a real heel for him (he was disappointed but stoical).

Missed DD's optician's appointment and can't fit it into hectic schedule later in week.

Had major row with DS3 over his reading (how silly is that?)ending with him in tears saying he isn't any good at anything. He's 6 and it is true unless you count digging in the garden.

DH now away for best part of two weeks and I have lost the plot. Usually muddle on looking as if I am coping but this time I feel I'm not and can't help but think we were very silly to have so many and that I'll never survive.

I think you need a diary or one of those organiser things people swear by!

Just take one day at a time but I dont know how you cope TBH. I have two boys of 5 and 3 and am exhausted.

Have a cup of tea and put the TV on.

deep breath - write a list and start again tomorrow.
i only have 2 and did this twice last week. missed optitian for DD1. Osteopath for me and haircut for DD2.
write a big list in very neat writing in big letters. then stick it on the fridge.
(that is 3 times i did it not 2 - can't count)
you will survive and think of all the fun you'll all have getting there.

How many DC do you have?

We have a whiteboard on the kitchen wall with a weeks worth of appts/things to be done/places to be/birthdays/whatever.
Also have a calendar so that as things arise they are noted down. Calendar dates are transferred to whiteboard on a Sunday night for the following week.
Still manage to miss things, though
Take a deep breath and start a new day tomorrow.
(I don't believe that your 6yo isn't any good at anything but digging. I'm sure you don't either )

Everything goes on the calendar - if it doesn't go on there, it doesn't happen!

Thanks all you out there. Yes I do have a diary in which everything has to be written or forgotten. I forgot to look in it today. We have four children aged 14, 11, 9 and 6. It surprises me to have got this far though the baby stage got easier each time. Now it's just such a job to keep on top of things (and I don't mean non- essentials like cleaning the house and laundry). I have so many days when I think I've done well if we eat a decent meal and everyone is more-or -less in the right places at the right times.

I had a diary and a calendar - forgot to look at both. That's why I've now got a HUGE whiteboard so I don't miss anything (although I do ).

I have four and I constantly forget things.Mine are 14,12, 9 and 5. I write it down and then I forget to look. I also do well if everyone is fed and in roughly the right place. I work 4 days and my DH is at home for 3, and if he didn't remember things we would be even worse.

Just to let you all know that the crises of Monday are sorted and I've kept the diary open on the kitchen table where I have to look at it every time we eat or sit down. I really feel I need a break from school routine, thank heaven it's a long weekend.

So glad to know that there are other Mums of four or any number who don't feel like supermums but still count the little successes of the day. How lucky you are to have dh to help keep track of things lsb. My own dh is supportive but I'm sure he has not a clue what really goes on in this house! However he will be in sole charge of DS1 and DS3 for 3 nights next week while I'm on a geeky course. I feel the lists starting already...

i think it gets harder, not easier once they are older.
sure the baby stage is hard with the sleep deprivations etc, but at least the needs of the kids are simple. feed, clean etc. young kids dont argue back, they dont need to be convinced about anything, they dont have school interviews, gengerally its easier.