Walking the thin line: Juggling time with kids

How do you divide your time when you're outnumbered 6:1?

"Help!  I'm outnumbered!"
"Surrounded" (C) 2007, Holly

It's an interesting existence, being an auntie mommy, especially when there are so many kids, especially when they are close in age.




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Center of the Universe

The youngest four kids are 2,3,4, and 6. Still at ages where cuddles and special time for one on one games and lap-time and stories are worth battling over. It's not uncommon for the green eyed monster to swoop in, and almost without warning, the claws come out. Literally. There's scratching, biting, and hair pulling from the younger three, and pouting, interrupting, and crying from the six year old.

Sometimes, it be like this.
"Sita and Little Major" (C) Dark Sevier

Balancing Act

It's been difficult on all of them. Trey and Chell literally lost their mother, at least for now, and need all the love and attention that can be spared. They need to know that they are wanted and welcome. They're still confused, and it's essential they don't feel abandoned.

Sometimes, you're the rope
Tug of War (c)2013 Robert Clemens on Flickr

Cay wanted to use this picture for a sleeping girl
"Underwater Wind" by Valentina on Flickr

In many ways, though, the girls have lost their mom too. When their siblings were born, the older girls had months to prepare; this time, they had mere days. Before, there was always cuddle and story time, usually one one one. Now, mommy's time is split two additional ways, and precedence is, unfairly, given to the most pressing child - usually Trey or Chell, who are still dealing with emotional issues. For Cay and Punk, who are generally (not always) calmer and quieter, this means they are expected to wait until their cousins finally settle down. This may take hours, by which time the less demanding children have fallen asleep, feeling punished for their good behavior.

It's a balancing act!
Tight Rope Walker (c) Charles DP Miller

It's a difficult line to walk, that space between children. They're delicate at tho age, their world views still forming, and their young minds don't always comprehend the subtleties of the adult world. There's a instant nagging fear that, at the end of the day, you've robbed one or the other (or the other or the other).

Parenting
"Gandini Juggling" (C) 2012 Dani Alvarez via Flickr

Have you ever struggled with balancing your time between multiple kids or between foster or step kids and your natural children? Share in the comments below.