Stay at Home Moms

4 kids 6 years and under

I have 4 kids 6 years 3 years 2 years and 6months. Sometimes I feel like the only crazy out there! Number 3 was a surprise, and number 4 was REALLY a surprise!

My oldest is in half day kindergarten now.

I've been sahm since July, I don't get much downtime or help.

What do you do to keep the chaos under control. I feel like I'm always feeding, diapering, and cleaning, no to mention laundry, I don't have much time for me...how do you deal???????

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Re: 4 kids 6 years and under

  • You really need to have a schedule.

    I only have one of my own now, but I often watch 4 of my cousins, giving me 5 little ones at once.

    Prioritize what you need to get done. I have a schedule of what I clean each day.

    Obviously there are things like laundry/dishes/cooking that you need to do each day, but you can spread out dusting/vaccuming/cleaning bathrooms out throughout the week. I have one main thing I clean each day.

    Your 6 yr. old and even your 3 yr. old can help you with simple tasks like organizing, putting away, and even dusting. Teach them how to do it, and then have a chart or something where they can get a sticker for completing it.

    At that age a sticker will probably be enough "reward" and they will feel like they are helping. The more you can involve them and have a schedule for you the more you will get done and the better you will feel about accomplishing things.

    GL mama!

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  • imageNandaB:
    Ok, first maybe look into birth control so you don't have more 'surprise kids' second, of course you are busy! You have 4 young kids! I have a friend with 4 kids 6 and younger. Her oldest is in first grade. She is always busy. Maybe focus on one big chore a day. One day she mops, another day she does the bathroom...

     

    The third child just happened a little sooner then planned, and I was on birth control the 4th child. That's why I was REALLY surprised.

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  • I have 3 kids, 6 & under right now.  My oldest is in first grade which helps a ton.  My middle is in preschool 3 mornings a week too.

    I prefer to do the daily have to stuff and set aside one day a week to get all the rest done.  My Dh is picky about the house, so I try to get it clean before he has his days off.  It really just sets a better tone for the family.

  • I have a 6YO, 5YO, 3YO and about to have #4.

    My older 2 are in 1st and K full day so it's a bit different for me.

    I have a LOT of free time to myself. My DS is in preschool 3 half days. I go to the gym (I also have a trainer), I have a cleaning crew, I have routines that I follow. Friday nights off, date nights, dinners with friends, Mom's NIght Out, Knitting group, book club.......I NEED to keep busy for my sanity.

    You have to take into account your personality and what type of schedule/routine will work for you.

    Are you part of a Mom's club? Maybe join one of those. Storytime at the library? Join that. Maybe check your town rec department for things to keep the kids busy that don't cost a lot of money.

    Lastly, you are really new to being a SAHM since you've only been doing this for a few months. Hang in there.

    GL! 

    image Mommy to Barbara 11/8/05, Elisabeth 5/13/07, Loukas 12/23/08 and Lazarus 09/25/12
  • Haha, check out this blog (not mine) post:

    https://mylifeandkids.com/2012/08/why-everyone-except-me-should-have-at-least-four-kids/

    We just had #3 and are thinking of getting pregnant with #4 in a year or so, so if we do we'll have 4 LOs 6 and under. So I'm not in your position yet, but I guess my advice would be to hang in there and embrace the (temporary) chaos! Keep your expectations realistic and make sure to prioritize YOU time (and time for you and DH).  

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  • imageArnegard:

    I have 3 kids, 6 & under right now.  My oldest is in first grade which helps a ton.  My middle is in preschool 3 mornings a week too.

    I prefer to do the daily have to stuff and set aside one day a week to get all the rest done.  My Dh is picky about the house, so I try to get it clean before he has his days off.  It really just sets a better tone for the family.

    My DH is the same! Lol I also have 3 under 6. Trying for our 4th. Routine is the key.
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  • If all goes according to plan we will have 4 kids (or more) 6 & under.  The reason I say or more is because we are looking in adoption so we will probably end up wtih a couple kids very close, or identical, in age.

    So right now I don't have much advice, but you aren't alone in your big familyness!

    Daughter #1 - February 12, 2010 

    natural m/c March 11, 2011 at 8 1/2 weeks 

    Daughter #2 - January 11, 2012 

    Ectopic pregnancy discovered November 6, 2012 at 6 weeks

    Daughter #3 - January 19, 2014

    Started our exploration into the world of international adoption June 2012.  We have no idea what this is going to look like but we are excited to find out!

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