All My Children

Someone (who has 2 children) asked me recently, "Is it a lot harder having 4 kids than it is 2?"

"Oh no," I replied, "It's about the same."

I had to find her later and apologize. I had lied straight to her face! It is a lot harder. Maybe if I had spaced mine farther apart, it would be easier. Maybe then the older ones could help with the younger ones. I watch shows like the Duggars and think, man, she's got it made! All those built in babysitters. All that chore division. All those helping hands.

But, that's not what it's like at my house! My oldest is 7. He's still in a booster seat. My van is filled with 4 car seats and 2 diaper bags. While it is helpful that Sam can do most things on his own (bathe, tie his shoes, brush his teeth, pour himself a drink, make his bed, put his own clothes in his drawers after I fold them), my other 3 cannot. Meri Hobbs can get herself dressed (unless she wants to wear something from her closet...then I have to get it out for her). She can brush her teeth (if I squeeze the toothpaste on her brush for her.) She can bathe herself (if I watch her and I have to wash her hair). She can open the van door. She can buckle herself in. That's about where the help stops.

The rest is all me (and my husband, of course). Every time we go somewhere I have to fix two diaper bags complete with two sippy cups. (Hopefully soon it will be one bag. Eli is newly potty trained, so I still bring a "just in case" change of clothes.) Every time we go somewhere I have to buckle two children in car seats, and remind two others to buckle themselves. I have to put on two pairs of tiny socks, and tie three sets of shoes.  I have to button three pairs of pants. I have to put clothes back in three drawers and closets. I have to wipe two bottoms and double check another one. I have to fix four kids plates at dinner. I have to cut up meats and stuff for three kids. It's more stuff to do, for sure.

There's also more arguing. More tattling. More crying. More hollering. More boo-boos. More name calling. More whining. More mouths to hear "mama" from 1000 times in an hour. More homework.  More ballgames. More places to be. More lessons. More classes. More money. More stuff to buy. More school supplies. More food. More sports equipment. More registration fees. More of everything.


But know what? There's also more hugs. More kisses. More snuggles. More giggles. More love. And that is a trade-off I'd take any day of the week! So while four may be harder, it is ten thousand times worth it!