Now that we’re a matter of days away from welcoming a third child into our lives, it’s beginning to hit me that I have no idea how I’m going to do this {“this” being simultaneously caring for three children ages 4 and under}.
I think I naively imagined that the Toddler would be slightly more mature than she is at this point. Whereas I thought we were past the age and stage where I needed to worry about her playing with small parts and pieces, just two weeks ago she tried to eat an acorn. And, not just any acorn. It was the Preschooler’s prized acorn that she had brought home from school. Fortunately, the Spouse saw her pop it into her mouth and was able to remove it quickly, but tendencies like this concern me.
We’re also still working on the basics of dressing oneself, but we’re just not quite there yet…
And, then there’s the issue of eating our food rather than wearing our food. Again, we’re making progress, but we still need some work…
The Preschooler has come a long way since the first time she became a big sister. She’s very conversational and able to do a ton of things for herself these days. I’m certain she’ll take great pride in being a big help. But, she has enough energy {and passion} for several people combined. And, she needs outlets for it. Lots of outlets.
So, I just hope that in a few weeks I’ll still be somewhat capable of keeping everyone in my care safe and fed and clothed. And, I’d like to think that I might even get to take an occasional shower.
I have my doubts and my fears.
But, I also know these things to be true…
• Sleep is a luxury. I don’t really need as much of it as I once thought I did to function. {Note: “function” is not to be confused with “perform well.” The latter still requires five hour stretches of sleep}.
• A clean house does not always equal a happy house. I need to focus more on the happy than the clean because ours may never be clean… or even de-cluttered again.
• I’m not the first one to do this and I’m certainly not alone. Many, many mothers have raised several children close in age {even multiples} and survived. Many are doing it now. Besides, when I’m feeling defeated I can always watch the Duggars on TLC and be reminded that three is not all that many.
• I can’t do this alone. There is strength in community. And, I will need to pursue it and nurture it like never before. Real life relationships are vital to our health, to our humor, and to our sanity. We were made to do life together, even if it’s messy.
• This will be hard. But, it is usually the things we feel like we can’t do that wind up being the most important and rewarding things we ever do. I love this quote: Real joy comes not from ease or riches or from the praise of men, but from doing something worthwhile. {Sir Wilfred Grenfell} This is totally worthwhile.
• And, most importantly, I believe this: God is good. Examine and see how good the Lord is. Happy is the person who trusts him. You who belong to the Lord, fear him! Those who fear him will have everything they need. {Psalm 34:8-9; NCV}
So, in my nervous excitement about entering this new phase of life, I’m going to keep reviewing this list and praying for peace to replace my anxieties and strength to replace my deficiencies.
And, I may throw in a few prayers for a baby that sleeps well, too…
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