Why do some moms say things like this?

I am currently blessed with two healthy children: a 3 year old boy and 4 month old girl. Since the girl came I hardly have a chance to breathe - grocery shopping and daily tasks are hard to get done because I am home with them (excluding my son who is in preschool for 2.5 hours three days a week) --- OK welcome to the world of having two kids. I tried venting to two mothers who I have known a while that I can't believe how long it takes me to do ...x, y and z. Well one has a 7 year old and 12 year old and the other two teenage boys. Note their kids are in school about 6 - 7 hours of the day 5 days a week. When I vented the first one said, you think it is hard now .. wait until they are teenagers and you need to drive them places ( I currently drive my son to preschool and OT sessions, Dr. Appts.) The other responded .. I know I hardly have 4 minutes in a day. I then thought UMMMM your kids are occupied for 35 hours in a week.

What is wrong with this picture? You mean to tell me that when the kids start school you have less time to get things done? Or are they bad at managing their time? I better log off ... baby is crying.

Re: Why do some moms say things like this?

I think everyone is different. Some moms are very organized no matter the age of their children, some are not.

I do feel as my kids get older and they are in more activities, I am running around more. The driving does get increased as one kid wants to go here, the other needs to go there at the same time.

I think it all depends on the person though as when I am home when the kids are in school, I could possibly have 11 hours a day without them and running them anywhere.

Sometimes I don't get when a SAHM (with school age kids) says they have no time to do anything during the day (even though they have 6-7 hours). But I can accomplish a lot in a little bit of time so that might be the difference. The ones that I know that have said that though like to socialize so I think that cuts down the amount of time you have in your day also.

Re: Why do some moms say things like this?

It's different. Hard to compare the two really. I have a 3 y/o and a 6 y/o. He's in school full time and she is in preschool 3-5 days a week, depending on how many days I send her. I usually only do 3.

When she was a baby and he was in preschool, it was difficult at times getting everything done. I started doing peapod and shop at home, or shopping at night when my DH was home. I was also working at the time.

When DS started kindergarten it was a whole different ball game. Home work is very demanding, they can't be late to school, it can be difficult getting them into a routine, etc...

Your house may be cleaner, and the shopping is done, but you have to worry about school work, projects, sports, the PTA....I wouldn't say it was any more or less difficult, just different.

Re: Why do some moms say things like this?

I k ow how you feel. I find it tough as well. I have a 3.5 yr old and 16 month old. I just became as SAHM, but the was lucky to get a part time job where I can work remotely. My 3.5 yr old goes to preschool where he gets speech and OT. He's out everyday, but only 3 hours. My baby needs attention too then naps so I can't leave the house too much during the day bc he naps at 11. I do have an hour and a half to myself b4 my 3 yr old comes home, but now I have a part time job so it's the best time to take calls and go online.
Baby needs to be held a lot bc he's whining, my 3 yr old is getting better, but still only 3. I have to do everything for them and work on potty training clean the house, efc. I look at my neighbors who have a 11 and 9 yr old. She's a SAHM and I see her run errands all day, they have a cleaning person and she always has some activity. While I do see during the day she has some more time at night while my boys are going to sleep she has one at Hebrew school, one at some sport practice, then another practice then another at hebrew school and then some meeting for something.
I guess it's different for everyone. While I do feel that when the boys are older and a little more self sufficient I know there's more after school stuff, more playdates with other kids coming over, keeping them busy eith activities, etc.
Although I still feel its a little easier. Lol

Re: Why do some moms say things like this?

I think it's human nature. Everyone thinks they have the busiest life. I mean, whether working or SAH, do any of us ever say "Man, I have the greatest gig ever. I spend half my day screwing around on Pinterest, LIF, and FB! Love it!". You never hear that, even if it's kinda true. Socially it's more acceptable to complain about how much you have to do.

Re: Why do some moms say things like this?

What I also find interesting is that ( and maybe this is for another post) I'm told that I will be carpooling them to things after school - here and there ... but wait ... who carpools the kids who have mothers that work until 5:30/6:00PM at night? I mean really? OK.. there might be the exceptional case where someone earns enough money to hire a nanny or sitter but for the most part, are the kids who are not carpooled after school to dance or athletic events really losing out in life?


I am looking to go back to work once the kids are in school full time.

Message edited 11/26/2012 8:02:45 PM.

Re: Why do some moms say things like this?

For me hands down it was so much easier when my first 2 were little and they were 14 months apart.
Now, I have a 6.5 year old, 5.5 year old and 20 month old and I swear I blink my eyes and the day is over! Our K is only half day and the baby naps in the afternoon but when she is up, she wants to be held which I don't do so instead I walk around with a baby on my leg. When I start to straighten up she usually undoes it. Honestly it is easier for me to be out of the house because the baby is quiet, but then I come home and rush to get things done.

I am very lucky to have 2 great friends that take's my DD to dance and another takes my son to CCD.

I can't wait for all of them to be in school full time but I think my time will be consumed with other things that I didn't get to do when they were home.

Re: Why do some moms say things like this?

There is more of having to be in a set place at a set time, more shuffling to activities and if you have more than 1 kid, which I do not, there can be some difficult scheduling conflicts if you are the only one available to take them. I'm not sure if I consider it more difficult (even if I take into account having 2 kids, which I see my sister handling) but it is different.

Re: Why do some moms say things like this?

Re: Why do some moms say things like this?

Eh-it's all hard when you are going through it. Why? Well, as Ally McBeal said, "because it is happening to me".