Hello to everyone , it has been sometime since I have been on Eb as you can imagine i am very busy with our twin girls Katie & Beth now 11 weeks & growing up very fast . I was just wondering if there was anyone out there like me !!! I have a large family & newborn twins . I would like to hear from other people with a large family & twins . I think i am coping ok , but i am a little slow to get the housework done , but i get there . I am a stay at home my & my husband works long hours so i am here with all my kids by myself most of the time . I was wondering how others cope ?? And if anyone has any tips on raising large families & twins . Thanks Michelle (mumtomany)

This message was edited by mumtomany on Monday, 27 June 2005 @ 10:43 AM

Hi Michelle.

I don't have any tips as we only have a DS 14 as well as the twins. But I just wanted to say " I think you are wonderful". Both myself and DH come from large families, and we always wanted one. It has taken us this long to make ours bigger, but still hope to have one more.

Forget the housework - just enjoy your family (says she who can't go a day without having to get the hoover out LOL).


RACHEL AND HER BOYS
Barnaby 14
Brodie and Oscar 28/03/05

Michelle ~ I am the same as Rachel only have the twins and DSD at home....But also think you are wonderful and doing a great job.

House work is over-rated **LOL** Says she who has just also vacumed...

My advice to you is to contact the local red-cross in your area as you are entitled to 4 hours a week of volunteer assistance. A lady here that I know with twins has just accessed it and she got a lovely and very helpful volunteer for a Wednesday morning or whenever she wants it really.
Once you call them they get the volunteer to contact you and arrange a meet. You sit with her/him and organise a time an day that would suit you both. The volunteer can take your children to the park for a few hours - while you either sleep, eat, clean or visit a mate....the only things they arent allowed to do is clean and cook for you. They will also stay at home with the babies whilst you go out and do shopping etc..

I am not too sure if this has been offered to you or if this would help, but a few hours is better than none. Thinking of you and sending you hugs.....we understand.

Haylie & Phil,Ebony(15),Hayden Phillip & Brooklen Lily 21st March 05

Hello Michelle

So glad you put this topic on. I'm pregnant with our 5/6 child. I get very dismayed at how negetive people are about large families. My mother always says the children will never remember if the house was spotless or not, however they will remember the time you spent with them. My mother in-law advise is to teach them to be independant from an early age. ie Make your bed, take washing to the laundry, pack up your toys, and take pride in your bedroom being clean. It's hard work having a big family. The rewards of raising confident and independant people is priceless. (sounds like a american express add).
Good luck with your family. They are only small for such a short time.

Cheers Stacey

I guess I am one of the mums you are looking for my twins were number 4 and 5, So I had 5 under 5 DD#1 has just turned 5.

My house is a bomb site most days, and mostly I don't care but some times it really gets to me. I wash every day but only fold clothes about every 6 months LOL if I am lucky. You learn to do the important stuff and leave the stuff you can for some other day. Like at the end of the day you go around kicking paths through the clothes and toys. My kids have to much stuff and not enough storage so its just a loosing battle.

i am also studying at the moment so life is even more hectic.

Not looking forward to the twins dragging out toys and things because three are making enough mess as it is.

The best advice i could give anyone is let people help!!!
I have a lot of good friends who come for a cuppa at least once a week and they help. They fold the washing while we sit in talk. They grab a screaming baby off me and put them to sleep, they check the washing machine and hang the clothes out if there are dishes in the sink they pack the dishwasher. These little things help to stay on top of things then I can sit down and have a cuppa and a chat and not feel so guilty. IYKWIM

I have said it on here before

"THANK GOD FOR GOOD FRIENDS"

As long as the kids are fed, cleaned and loved the house can wait!!!!

This probably doesn't make sense have been doing work placement for my tafe course since last Monday and I am very sleep deprived!!!!

DD#1 30/05/00
DS#1 01/08/01
DD#2 07/11/02
DS#2 27/09/04
DS#1 27/09/04

Wems
Can't wait to PARTY!!!!!!!
Leaving the 5 kids with DH
GiRL'S WEEKEND AWAY ***PARTY***[br]

I am almost one of the people you are calling to.

My twins were my number's 3 & 4 but I also have two step-daughters so the twins were really number's 5 & 6 in this busy blended family. My DH is one of the coaches for our Australian Soccer team and atm is overseas about 3 weeks out of 4 so I know kaos very well. I have some fantastic friends and a great Mum who helps out whenever she can. I have become almost obsessively organized and have really only been that way since having the twins.

As others have said, my house gets the basics done and thats about it but my kids are happy and healthy and I love every minute of this very hectic life. When DH comes home after a long trip, I grab as much "me" time as I can and recharge myself in readiness for the next couple of weeks. This place is my escape and I look forward to hearing about your busy family

Nothing is more important or valuable then spending the time available you have w/ your children.

It's been a while but my aunty had 6 under 5 and went on to have 9. She didn't have very much help at all as they lived in another town which was about 9hrs drive from their closest family member. But they did ask their local community who helped immensely, you just have to find the energy to be able to get anyone in.

They lived in a household of chaos and I'm happy to say they still do. As long as there is food in the fridge and enough clothes clean and toilet paper then the rest is really quite irrelevent.

Kids do have memories and they start far earlier then we sometimes realise.

I also have twins who are obviously very busy but I tend not to worry -if people have a problem w/ the state of my house I ask them to hang the washing..or go and buy me toilet paper!! LOL

Hang in there, you are truly, truly doing a great job and I admire all of you who have large families and the strength it takes to cope from one to to the next.