[aluminium]

I believe God make's provision for parents. I found it took a while but it kinda worked itself out - bub will grow and time can be found.

For now though, perhaps try to appreciate the still small moments?

I know that my bubs breastfed overnight for a LONG time and I was still getting up to DD#2 at least once per night for close to 18-mnths ok, really probably later than that... but it became a sleepy solitude in the company of my daughter and my God. I was able to just be mindful, to really take in her little form, to consider the night, the stars (I'd open the curtain and sit by the window). It was time to think, and to seek peace and to pray. I don't know if that's something that could work for you but it was certainly something I treasured, and I am still grateful for.

[niggles]

I've found that I've had to simplify my spiritual life in the same way as having children has forced me to simplify and slow down most aspects of my life. It doesn't feel as rich as it used to. I do often feel like I'm missing something I used to have. I try to remind myself that this part of my life is a different sort of exercise - one in trying to incorporate prayer and contemplation and meditation in the everyday and in the mundane and amongst the chaos. It's a challenge but I am finding myself feeling more, as time goes on, as though all my little acts are worth more than they used to be. I'm trying to find, and assign, value in the simple and the small. That's the sort of thinking I can dwell on. Does that make any sense.

The one thing that comes very easily is gratitude. My life feels like an endless shower of blessings, and at a time when I'm devoting the least time and energy on asking for them. Maybe there is something in that too.

[Saecularis Angel...]

Niggles, that does make sense. I was able to do something similar when I worked for a big chaotic church and was on the go dealing with "stuff" for hours without pausing - I had to find value in the things I did, because I didn't get time to sit and be quiet there! I guess the difference was that that was work, and I got to come home and leave it behind, whereas now I'm on duty pretty much all the time.

So many people have mentioned breastfeeding as a time of contemplation, but that just doesn't work for me. Having DD there feels intrusive. I might have to get used to it!

[somila]

I was recently reading Amy Grant's autobiography and she wrote about this (she has 4 children and a step-daughter).

She developed a "discipline" where she would "greet the day" (using "This is the day the Lord has made" as the basis, and elaborating on it, sometimes just changing the emphasis of a word e.g. THIS is the day the Lord has made, This is the DAY the Lord has made etc.) It was simple enough to do when exhausted and also something she could teach the children to do from an early age.

I would second walking with the pram. I did this for hours with my first child as he did not sleep during the day, but would sleep in the pram. It was great thinking time for me. (He woke up the second we got home, mind you.)

[HannahT]

I have read a book recently called, "My Seventh Monsoon" by Naomi Reed.
It is a great and easy read that talks about the seasons of our life and how God works his purpose in our lives through different seasons.
Worth a read as she talks about how she had 'spiritually dry' seasons when her children were little.