I was prepared, somewhat, for the amount of laundry and the cooking. I knew that, realistically, I'd be stuck in the laundry room and the kitchen. I was ok with that - I like to cook and don't mind the laundry, except for the folding part. (That gets me every single time - I'm a whiz at powering the dirty wash through, but getting it put away can take a few days.)
I wish I had known two very important facts about having multiple children. Number one, that I'd spend an inordinate amount of time and money in doctor's offices. My kids are relatively healthy, barring the asthma and allergies - but it still seems like we should have our own room. I know everyone by name and feel lucky if I'm in only once in a month.
The other little factoid I wish I'd been privy to is the overwhelming amount of STUFF that gets lost/misplaced/just flat out disappears every single day. This morning was a prime example. I did not represent for the Moms of Big Families well. As in, at all. As in, if anyone had seen me, it would have been a direct recommendation for double forms of birth control to be employed at all times.
Monday Emma came home from Muay Thai and she took off her white uniform. She gave it to me and I put it in the washer with other white clothes and bleach. I put those clothes in the dryer. Nikolas brought his wash down and did three loads. (What can I say, I'm lucky to get him to DO his wash, never mind to do it in a timely basis.) I did another load and brought everything out to be folded. I tossed it on the couch and then went to bed.
Tuesday I did not fold the clothes.
Wednesday I folded the clothes and put them upstairs in everyone's room while the kids were at school. I put away the towels and washcloths and sheets and put the big kids wash into their rooms. (I do not fold theirs, and they are theoretically supposed to wash their own - but they sneak random pieces into my loads.) Emma had Muay Thai and I sent her for her uniform when she got home from school. She couldn't find it. I knew I had done wash and everything was folded and, if not put away, at least in their rooms. I made her look again. And again. Finally, she put on Gabe's top and we went to class - ten minutes late.
I spent Thursday and Friday looking for that stupid top. She skipped class Friday - somewhat because I had a meeting with a friend, but also because I was sick of looking for that stupid top and just gave up.
One thing I pride myself on is organization. We have hooks and shelves, spots for everything, calendars and lists galore. I KNOW where stuff is and I KNOW where we are supposed to be at any given time. I remind people to put away belts/coats/shoes/bookbags - I swear to God, I feel like a nag and I HATE to be reminded myself. We have lists for them to check (remember the chore charts?) but it always seems to fall to me to remind them AGAIN to check the lists and realistically, just HOW many lists can one person put around the house?
Saturday morning we got up and had multiple places to be. One soccer game at 10 with two girls. One Muay Thai class at 9 with two kids. Game one of a three game soccer tournament at 9 several cities away. I sent kids who needed soccer stuff to get their cleats and shin guards.
They could not find them.
I sent Gabriel to get dressed for class.
He could not find his belt.
At which point in time I went just a little postal. I had to look for everyone's everything. Meanwhile, the kids in question could be found muttering to themselves, "I don't understand. I put it (whatever the lost item was) right where it belongs." My husband informed me that I was in need of some calming down - a point I wasn't too happy to hear - and it went downhill from there. I was REMINDED, rather forcefully, that I am the parent and it is my JOB to teach them to be organized and to put their stuff away - to stand over them, if necessary, and make sure that they do it.
I hate like fire to do that.
But I am going to have to, for I hate mornings like this one worse.
Have definitely had mornings like that! Even if each kid only lost 1 thing- that is still 6 things you cannot find when you need them and when trying to get out the door by 7:30am- that's torture and also enough to almost give me a heart attack! No, you are not the only one who loses it!! I'm not sure what it takes either as I am also very organized and try to stay on top of everything. I guess one or two parents vs. 6 kids just isn't enough to do it all right, all the time! Happy Saturday!!
Posted by: Pam | November 07, 2009 at 04:20 PM
I am so not worthy! I only have two (very disorganized) boys, 8 and 13, and I go postal over only two kids' worth of clothing. If I had six, I guarantee I'd be back down to two in short order. You're doing way better than you think, at least compared to me.
Maybe you can go to Goodwill and get them each an "emergency outfit" to wear, if they can't find anything else. Only you'd get to choose the clothing .
Posted by: Liz in Seattle | November 07, 2009 at 04:28 PM
Gah, I only have 3 and this happens regularly. You're justified in your anger and frustration. Oh, and being told to calm down by another adult? Makes me want to go postal. believe me, it happens here tooooo frequently.
Posted by: Headless Mom | November 07, 2009 at 04:46 PM
I feel your pain. I would also call myself very organized, but some days something just goes off the rails and I'm running around at the last minute trying to find something for someone. I HATE that! It's becomes less about the lost item and more about me failing to be organized. Grrrr.
Posted by: The Only Girl | November 07, 2009 at 06:11 PM
I just LOVE IT TO PIECES when the kids can't find xyz, are told to look in a certain place, because that's where it's supposed to be. Kids look, SWEAR TO GOD THE ALMIGHTY that it isn't there. I then have to haul my rather large being over to look for it, only to find it EXACTLY WHERE I TOLD THEM TO LOOK. This happens all the time, and not just with the kids (ahem, mr. husband :)
Posted by: Beth | November 07, 2009 at 07:24 PM
awww, i hate mornings like that, too!!!
that double-forms of birth control comment made me LOL!!!
melissa
Posted by: melissa | November 07, 2009 at 11:16 PM
I can totally relate to this post. I only have four kids, but I have had many a morning just like yours.
I absolutely hate it when we can't find something. My youngest could not find her shoes yesterday and had to wear a pair to small to Sea World. I swear they just disappeared!
Posted by: Friglet | November 08, 2009 at 10:53 AM
Sometimes I am very envious of the fact that you have six kids- this isn't one of those times :)
Posted by: amie | November 08, 2009 at 03:10 PM
Oh. So um, since I only have 2 children this shouldn't be happening on a daily basis then? Drat! For us it seems to always be shoes. The shoes they MUST wear THAT day. And they go to look for them when it's time to walk out the door. Love it!
Posted by: Michele | November 08, 2009 at 04:52 PM
I actually really love folding clothes..isn't that weird? But I hate. hate. hate. putting clothes away. If I could work around the piles of folded clothes on my couch -- I totally would.
If we lived closer, we could trade. I could do all your folding and you could put everything away!
Posted by: Jennifer I. | November 09, 2009 at 04:38 PM
I feel your pain. We have 4 kids and it feels like we're in constant chaos some days. By the way, if we lived near each other, I'd be happy to fold your clothes. I get a weird sense of accomplishment from perfectly folding a pile of clothes.
Posted by: Mama Cas | November 10, 2009 at 10:08 AM
I sooo know how you feel. I also have 6 kids, 6 and under. Even if I plan ahead(always do can't afford not to)and I dream the exact steps the night before sometimes it just doesn't happen like it was supposed too.
Posted by: andrea | November 12, 2009 at 07:17 PM