J.G.
Dear M. C:
I understand your feelings. I am a Mother of 5; 3 girls (9, 7, 5) and 2 boys (2 & 1). I work full-time. I have to admit that most of my time is spent cleaning up spills and doing laundry. It is definitely an effort to make special time for each child.
So, the individual special time you grab when the other child is taking a nap or something. In our home usually the youngest child stays up the latest (at least until they start school) for some extra baby snuggles.
I usually put the older children up on our counter so their drawings and projects are away from the boys who will probably just eat them.
On the floor I spread out some toys or cars for the younger ones to play with. Then I sort of cook dinner and go back and forth between the two play areas.
Sometimes we notice that one child hasn't had some really good alone time with us in awhile; so we make arrangements for a sitter and take them out to lunch or a movie. They really love that.
When they get older you can actually say, "OK, I'm going to throw a load of laundry in, start dinner; then I'll help you with your homework and then read a book to your sister.
You're only one person. It's my opinion that they adapt to that and it helps them learn patience and understanding when they're older. I was an only child...and there's not a patient bone in my body:)
Good Luck
J. G