How do you ladies do it?

NOLABridesmaid

My cousin and her husband stayed with me this weekend with their 2 year old daughter. She's so cute and so ACTIVE. How do you ladies have energy every day? I know you find the energy, but there is something to be said about being young when you start having kids.

She was up and running from the time her feet hit the ground in the morning until she went to bed. Wore me out. Plus, she's into the, "I can do it" stage.

Definitely made me think if I have the energy to do this. I so love my sleep......

GBCK

I think it's just that you DO.

I mean, I can look at what you do on some work days and wonder how on earth you get through the day--but when you're in the situation, you just...do what you need to do and get it done.

There's also just learning to take time.  I mean, I volunteer for Bath time every Saturday night because I get to sit on the bathroom floor, giving minimal supervision, and read for 45 minutes.  woohoo!

PMeg819

What GBCK said, you just do it. DS is also able to play independently now and that makes it easier. When he wants to "help" I have tasks for him. I modified the swiffer so it's shorter and I put on a pad and let him go to town. Or I have him put silverware away. I actually think newborns are harder because there is no payoff- you meet their needs and they don't scream. DS is thankful and even though I'd love it if he'd settle down and just be calm for like 2 hours I know I'm going to get a kick out of him. He calls me Princess, does make believe, and wants to help and learn.

Wzz

well, i am tired a lot more than i used to be. but, even though you generally have more energy as a younger person, i think my energy was better used for fun non parent stuff before i had the kid. now, even though i am tired, it's worth it.

that said, i also think it makes a difference if you have help. i always wonder how single parents do it, because i have a husband who takes an equal if not greater part in his care, and we still find it hard sometimes.

DG1

If quitting were really an option, we'd all do it. 

They also have a knack for doing something incredibly cute JUST when you're about to lose it. I've been known to put myself in time out for a while, too.

DixieNormous330

It's exhausting and tough but you know that this person needs you and you dredge up whatever bits of energy you can.

I will say, there are definite benefits to having a non-mobile 2 year old at times.

TheMrsC23

Everything everyone else said.  

DefConn does play on his own.  And sometimes, just me sitting on the floor with him makes him happy, but I don't have really *do* anything.  He just wants me on his level.

Also, I find the 12 year old to be more mentally exhausting.  The 2 year old can be made happy with some redirection (or a snack).  He doesn't really argue with me.  The 12 year old is not as easy to please. 

6fsn

You also get to work up to the 2 yo stage.  They start all sweet and snuggly and immobile.  They don't get to a stage where you just want to leave them at the park until later. 

It's kind of funny you say this today.  Saturday morning I told DH I now understand why mom's can spend a whole day with a coffee cup in their hand.  Saturday went something like this:
545- kids up and watchi6ng show with DH while I clean bathrooms
645 shower
655- Max up, feed him get breakfast get dressed which takes for freaking ever
915- head to Costco
11- home and start dealing with lunch
Clean up lunch then hit the yard until teeball
330 till 5 teeball stuff
5 start getting dinner
630 dinner over out to Krispy Kreme for donuts
730 start jammies

DixieNormous330

There are also the days where you are counting the minutes until nap/bedtime.

pegasuskat

I don't remember minding when my kids were little, but maybe its all a blur cause of lack of sleep, lol.  I am older now (46), and I have my grandkids a lot, I can tell you it wears me out now, the 2 babies, (just turned 1 and about to turn 2) especially when I have them both at the same time, which I do at least 2x a week.  But, I wouldn't change anything, I love it. 

I have a friend that adopted at 43, she handles it all really good.  At least I know I can send mine home at night (most of the time anyway).

Wzz

also, two words: NAP TIME

GBCK

Nap time is a Godsend.

The kid didn't nap for a long ass time...and on weekends, when she naps, I nap.

NOLABridesmaid

Yes, I know you are all right, but man did I take a long nap when they left.

GBCK

completely inappropriate side-thought--you can also ignore some crap better when they're yours--especially in your own house.

Like...okay, my kid had to get stitches after loosing a battle w/ the coffee table.  That was bad and sucks.

If I had been babysitting?  I'd have been DISTRAUGHT.

If my kid eats dog fur and lint off my floors, I'lm a bit 'meh' about it.

If I'm at someone else's house, w/ someone else's kid I don't know their dog, I don't know that their house is baby proofed, and I have to watch a lot more closely because if MY kid eats lint, I can be 'meh', but I can't abot someone else's kid eating it..  

TheMrsC23

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_wedding-woes_how-do-you-ladies-do-it?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:47Discussion:f1c51b3e-666d-4a30-ab02-0b9c5edab759Post:1cba337e-b2e8-427d-92bc-346660dcf828">Re: How do you ladies do it?</a>:
[QUOTE]completely inappropriate side-thought--you can also ignore some crap better when they're yours--especially in your own house. Like...okay, my kid had to get stitches after loosing a battle w/ the coffee table.  That was bad and sucks. If I had been babysitting?  I'd have been DISTRAUGHT. If my kid eats dog fur and lint off my floors, I'lm a bit 'meh' about it. If I'm at someone else's house, w/ someone else's kid I don't know their dog, I don't know that their house is baby proofed, and I have to watch a lot more closely because if MY kid eats lint, I can be 'meh', but I can't abot someone else's kid eating it..  
Posted by GBCK[/QUOTE]

Yes.  My mom has said that she worries more about the grandchildren 'breaking' themselves under her watch than she ever did about us kids. 

Heffalump

All of this.  DD has picked up the phrase "I need a moment" and she totally got it from me.  I've been known to hide out in the bathroom with my phone under the guise of "going potty" when I need a break.  "Mommy, do you need some pwivacy?" 

"Yes, just for a few minutes."

"Okay."

The good news is, now that she's almost four, she's far less likely to have climbed up onto her dresser, found a bottle of hot pink Piggy Paint, and slathered all over her hands and feet in the time it takes me to read two Slate articles.