How do you manage split time with your kids?

[cantseemyfeet]

I have a 10 yr old, 3 yr old and 8 month old. All boys and I am finding it increasingly difficult to get proper time with each of them.
Poor DS1 seems to get the dregs at night when I eventually get the little ones in bed, he never complains but I feel guilty.
Ds2 is the real difficult one. It isnt his fault but he is getting more and more demanding especially if I am feeding baby( he HAS to sit next to me, or he suddenly needs a drink etc.) I know its part jealousy and I was expecting it but I am struggling to try to spend proper time with him when the baby is pretty constant too, if I play with the baby I am constantly trying to involve DS2 so he dosent feel pushed out but that dosent seem fair on baby. AAAARGGGHHH. How do you do it??

And when does anyone manage to get housework done because I seem to be living in a permanent bombsite!!

last bit first - sod the housework for now. or turn it into a "family blitz" wher everyone races round collecting their own stuff and re-patriating it, usually to their own room. Works for us.
With my three, who are 7,4 and 2, I do separate things with the older two each week (no way we get more than a few minutes real 'us' time daily) one does swimming with me, the other one goes to footie and we go somewhere for lunch. I try to read each of them stories at some point in the week, usually swapping round and juggling between DH and me for bedtime stories and letting the eldest stay up til 8 one night later in the week. I also pick them up after school on two different days, juggled around my work (other goes to Granny's for a bit) The youngest has my undivided attention on Fridays when the other two are at school, so we do little girly stuff on that day. I'm not saying I've got it right cos I'm sure I haven't, but this bunch of compromises works well for us.
Try not to beat yourself up over it, I don't think that the children are actually as aware of who spends time alone with who as we are

Thanx Giggle,

I do get to spend a bit more time with baby when DS2 is at nursery but because nursery is a good mile and a half from home, by the time I get back from taking him I only have hour before I have to set off again.

Its more DS2 I am bothered about, he seems to be craving attention, he gets into bed with me in the middle of the night and clings onto me and I really dont want him to feel he is being pushed out by the baby.

I am on my own with them and it is fair to say their dad (DS2 AND 3) is about as useful as an ashtray on a motorbike!! If I dont make him take them out to the park or for a walk down the river he would just turn up and follow me about interigating me on what Ive been doing.

I know I should try to cram time with DS2 while DS3 is sleeping but I tend to try to put house back together when they are quite. Your right I should just sod the housework. It never stays tidy even when I have done it.

DOH!! QUIET NOT QUITE