Mom's with Larger Families...

Hello N., WOW can I relate to you. I have 5 children ages 9,8,6,2 1/2, and 9 months. I am also a Navy wife and even though I do not homeschool, I do find myself being a mom more than not. I stayed home for 2 years straight before deciding that I needed an outlet, I tried to get a job in the evening and it went well at first, but then my children started school and cub scouts and other events and I found it all to be to much. Sometimes I wonder who I am and I often find myself wondering what happened to the girl who use to like to go out and have fun. Then I realized that I am a mom of five whose definition of fun has changed, I would rather be with my kids. Please do not get me wrong I like being alone, sometimes, and I think we all need me time. I have a great husband who if I need to have that time he will let me. I would love to find a group of gals who I would have things in common with and do stuff with.

N.,

I'm in the same boat! I have 4 kids who are 6,5,2,1yr and I'm struggling to keep it all together because I don't have any ME time!

what area are you in? I'm in the Clearwater area.

I'd love to meet with you. Maybe we can start our own "Mom's Night Out" or even just a playgroup so we get some interaction with other moms in the same situation and even just getting to chat with other moms who have the same reality is nice..I feel so isolated at times!

You can email me at ____@____.com.

Thanks and I hope we can get together...our kids are very close in ages!

C.

I agree with Vernonica (I'm a Mom of 3 with a 4th on the way). Your definition of fun changes.

But, I also know that I need to destress/recharge with a little time away (afterward I feel like I appreciate my children and family better). I'm guilty of not taking time for myself or pursuing old hobbies. But, about a month ago, I took my 6-year old daughter to a local ceramic shop on a Saturday afternoon. Dad babysat my 9-year old and 2-year old. It was the best weekend that I had in probably 2 years. My daughter and I spent a quiet afternoon together, I had a creative outlet and I was able to appreciate spending quality time with her (without hearing her quarrel with her siblings). There were other Mom's with their children also, so we had some "girl time" to talk about things. When we came home, I felt so recharged. It definitely put the laundry/housekeeping chores into perspective. Seriously, 10 Years from now do I want my daughter to remember that I always had her laundry done, or that we spent time together doing Mother/daughter fun stuff?

Another hobby to look into might be scrapbooking? I've been meaning to do this with one of my older children. I know that there are classes, shops and crop get-togethers all over.

Good luck,
Carol

Hi N., I am a stay at home mom of 4 girls(ages 10,7,6 & 5) and my husband is a truck driver who is usually gone all week long, although he usually gets home by Sunday. I know it's hard to remember, but you are still the same woman that you were before you had kids. You just have a much busier job now that doesn't allow that woman to 'get out' as often. I found and joined a local mothers club when my oldest was 18 mos old and I can't even begin to tell you how much that has 'saved' me. So much so that I am still in it to this day. I found other women that I can relate to, not just as mothers but as women too. It sounds cliche, but join a club of some kind for YOU. A book club, pottery club, Yoga class, mothers club or find some other home schooling moms in your area (or even online). Every mom needs some time for herself to rejunivate in order to keep being a sane mother. With you being a working mom and home schooling as well, I can see why there isn't much 'mommy' time. But you have to make some time for you. I'm not sure where you are located but I know of a couple of moms clubs in the Spring Hill/Brooksville area if that is anywhere near you. Good luck and if you want to chat, just email me.

I understand exactly what you're staying. I also homeschool, but have 2 kids. Have you checked into homeschool groups in your area? A lot of them have weekly get togethers. Sometimes they have mom's night out. We're getting ready to move to Pasco and I'm praying we find a Church with homeschoolers in it. Our Church here has no other homeschoolers and I feel like we're leading totally different lives here.

Hi! I am a mother of 6 children!! To keep myself sane I always arrange for a little me time even if its getting up early and just enjoying a simple cup of coffee in the quiet. Im pretty easy to please so that works for me but you might arrange to have someone watch your kiddos while you go out for the afternoon to pamper yourself. Hugs and good luck!