If you have more then one??

llking_2984

 How do you spread your time with all of them evenly? My daily routine is to wake-up, feed and change Ryder, get ready for work, go to work from 8am-530pm, come home, make dinner, help the older kids with homework/baths/clean, then once the kids are in bed @ 9pm I spend time with DH if he is not working and Ryder since I usually have to have one of the kids feed him while I am making dinner and don't get much time with him right when I get home. Then wake up in the middle of the night and BF Ryder.

And lately it seems like more of my time has been pulled towards the older boys who have been acting out, so DD a and Ryder get less of my attention.

Poor DD has been wanting me to put birthdays on her calendar with her and I just don't have the time. I finally was able to take her (and all the kids) to Walmart so she could spend her Christmas money, and the 2 older boys kept asking me for money, asking me to buy them stuff, fighting...you name it, it happened with them! And Ryder slept the whole time.

It doesn't help that it was the holidays and they have all yet to see their Mom, got presents from her, etc. I know that could be the cause for some of the boys acting out, but it's wearing me thin.

I told DH last night that I am stuck and don't know what else to do. Thankfully, he took charge and sat down with them this morning before school and had a long talk. But stiil, I just don't feel like I have enough time for all of them and there aren't enough hours in the day. Any help would be great!

braveangel2

I'm sorry mama...I don't have any advice. I was an only child until mom and I moved in with my now step-dad and his two sons. I was 10 and

kimberly.kent

I don't have an answer Lacey but ((hugs))! By the way, Ryder is too cute! I love the siggy pic!

braveangel2

Holy cow, I don't know what happened. Sorry the half-finished multiple posts!

Anyway, I was 10 and she sat me down and said that I was well-raised and a good kid, and these two older boys didn't have the upbringing I did, so they were going to take a lot of work. She still loved me, and would always be my mom, but she would have to divide her attention. It sucked, but I understood. We had our girl time together now and then, but it wasn't until they moved out that we really got back to having her all to myself....they seemed to get more of her because they got into trouble and they never appreciated it. I don't have any advice, but I'd say set some time aside for the girl, just one on one or maybe just you, her and Ryder.

llking_2984

Thanks. I have been thinking about time for DD and I too. Since she is the only girl out of all the boys. But at the same time I worry because then it may seem like I am picking favorites since all 3 are my step children. It's just been so much easier with her since she was only 1 1/2 when DH and I met and she doesn't know me not being a "mom" to her. And I also worry because the boys are acting out that Ryder isn't getting the attention he needs either because I know he needs it since he is a baby. All in all, I just guess I question if I am being a good enough Mom to all 4 and if I am picking favorites or being meaner to one. Does that make sense?

Oh and thanks about the siggy pic comment. We took those this weekend!

braveangel2

One person can only stretch so far....you have a new baby and three children on top of that, so yes...you're being a good enough mom to all 4. I don't get picking favorites from your post at all either...you're just trying to be everything to everyone, and that's hard. You're doing a good job mama...just take it one day at a time.

Mama_v2.0

We only have 2 plus a teenager (nephew) but we break them up sometimes on the weekends. DH will do a father daughter day every 2-3 months, take his nephew out about every 2 months, and on Sunday he takes our youngest to swimming lessons. (As for me I am lucky to be a SAHM so most days are easy by comparision). Hope you find something that works!