The Trick is Scheduling

Not unlike middle school everything in this new career is dependent upon scheduling. I have often stated to friends and potential clients that I think this job could only be done successfully by a teacher-like person. I have caught myself on a few occasions realizing that the day hasn't been thought through completely and have paid for the mistake. If there are only one or two kids, anything goes. But once the numbers go up, the person in charge better have a plan. On my "heavy" days I am balancing the schedules of a 5 month only, 14 month old, a 19th month old, a 2 year old and a 3 year old. Tricky at best. Now add in heating bottles, spoon feeding solid food, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, 2 naps a day kids, 1 nap a day kids, and those in the midst of potty training. Through the weeks, I have learned to make lunch before anyone arrives in the morning so that all I'm doing at lunch is balancing the baby's bottle/solid food with getting lunch on the plates for the toddlers. The Bjorn is a life saver. It is the only way I get snacks prepared. When times are bad, everyone in the place is crying, screaming or whining. And if I thought it would help, I would be doing the same. The beauty of it is that once everyone has food in their mouths, dry diapers or panties, or has gotten themselves to sleep, the house is once again silent. Silence now equates with happiness for all. I am constantly reminded of the resiliency of children. Just take care of their needs and the tears and wails are a thing of the past. They will of course resurface and we will follow the same process. Cry, eat, cry, change diaper, cry, sleep. The ebb and flow has become some kind of crazy venn diagram. It is no longer centered on the food and sleep of an infant; it is also the food and sleep of 4 other characters in the house. I no longer even attempt to have everyone sleeping at the same time. My time is much better spent simply reducing the numbers who are awake and being able to spend more time with each child. The smiles and laughter of the few are worth so much more than the value of the household chores I could be doing if everyone were asleep. There will always be time for that. This moment of playing and giggling is irreplaceable. I am loving this job, knowing full well that others looking at it from the outside think it is absolutely crazy. There are just crazy moments. Most of my day is still filled with laughter, smiles, playing and learning; all of it done together.