2 Many Kids 2 Little Time

Divide and Conquer

Tonight I found myself accompanying Asher and Lillian to their school for a "Math and Literacy" family event while D took Eden swimming at the YMCA. This "divide and conquer" as a parenting skill is fairly new in our family. D and I used to have to go our separate ways but it usually involved me staying home to put a baby to bed.
Both of us being out somewhere but not together is new to us. And, quite frankly, it's weird. It's like part of my family is missing...
I know it's a part of parenting older children I'm going to have to get used to... there are going to be more and more conflicting games, school events, recitals, etc. "Divide and conquer" will probably become the norm in the not-so-distant future.
This will be hard for me. I enjoy the company of my husband. I enjoy the company of all three of my children. It's our family. All of them are a part of me. When one or more is missing from a special occasion, something's not quite right.

Comments

Re: Divide and Conquer

Oh my, yes.
I have felt the same thing very recently.
Not that Mimi and Ruby are involved so much just yest but little things like attending Maggie's school party's without B or parent observation at ballet. Mimi takes gymnastics while Brady is at work.
I don't like the feeling at all and with three children, I know that it is soon to be inevitable for most of the girls "events".
I kind of have a rule of thumb around here for my own sanity and for the thought of too much business...that the girls can be involved in only one "extra" at a time. Ballet, gymnastics whatever.
I don't know if I will be able to continue that but I'm hoping it will help keep us all from going in to many different directions...I'm sure I have no idea what is coming though, right.?

It is probably the same no matter the gender but I find myself avoiding having playmates over just so it can be me and my three girls together. I want so much for the girls to spend their spare time/play time with each other and sometimes I feel like I isolate ourselves from playmates. Don't get me wrong, I love seeing Maggie with her buddies but it breaks my heart thinking about her being closer with someone other than her sisters. I know you have sisters...any word of advice?

Thanks for the post, I enjoyed it.
Danielle

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