And just like that her little left over cord fell off.
And just like that on Monday I will begin navigating my days alone. Alone! I am so nervous. I wasn’t so much so when Soul was born and I had to care for three, but now it’s four. FOUR! Not only four, but four that are so close in age! And not only that, but I am also homeschooling. I think I am crazy, don’t you?!! Yes, I’m concvinced I’m crazy!
I wish Ben had another week off. Two and a half weeks was nice and we definitely plan to use more family time off later, but Monday he heads back. I am really kinda scared, so scared I think I might cry. I have heard before that when you go from 2 to 3, you definitely feel it and that going from 3 to 4 ain’t that bad. Well, I think 3 to 4 is pretty darn hard!
I need to chill out about having a clean house. I need to relax when teaching the girls how to read. I need to take deeper breathes. Maybe I should put myself in hypnosis all day long. Kidding, well, kinda. Mostly, I need to pray and rely on God more. That is the key to getting through the everyday, is it not?
Oh me oh my, Monday is one day away!
The other girls will be able to help you out more than you may realize. I remember being able to change my cousin's diaper when I was only 5 years old. I don't know what kind of chores you have them doing yet, but little ones can also be great at sorting laundry and other little tasks. You'll do great!
You'll do well! Praying for you!
P.S. –It's okay to take a long school break whenever you need it (that's the beauty of homeschooling)!
“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:19
I have no advice about going from 3 to 4. I'm streesing about going from 1 to 2, but this verse is helping calm those nerves. You can do it!!
Definitely will be saying prayers for you! But I speak from experience…..it CAN be done! I had 5 kiddos with the biggest age gap being 4 years between my two oldest. After that, they were like bing, bing, bing….all in a row….with 18 & 19 months separating them. I have homeschooled ALL of them…all the way through. My youngest is twelve now & my oldest graduated from Liberty University in May & my next oldest is there now. So, see….it CAN be done. You just pray ALOT & don't sweat the small stuff! You have a beautiful family & I know you can do this!!! *Hugs*
I stressed a lot going from 1 to 2 and then 2 to 3 and like you 3 to 4 but you know women are incredible and we can do so much. The best advice I could give you is not to be overly worried or concerned about the little things. Like having a spotless house and trying to have it be perfect. I have extreme confidence that you will get the hang of it all too soon. My only other advice is to organise yourself well while your husband is there to help at night for the next day and try to get some alone time too, time to unwind from it all. Good luck! I know you will do wonderfully 😀
I def wondered how you do it all. You keep very busy. But your seem strong and you will do just fine!
God has a great plan….and the wisdom you will acquire will be priceless. There are moments where i can really find beauty… in a childs mess…. a lived in home. try to embrace that… and let it go… atleast on some days…and just enjoy. You are blessed!
I was feeling desperate and incompetent one day with my new little one, and my biggers. A neighbor happened by and he said, “God doesn't ask you to be competent, just obedient”. Now, I really do want to be good at being a mama, but I've thought about it a lot.
I think you are really competent.
Abide in God, and he will help you take care of those kiddos.
Libby jane
Yes, I can't imagine how much hard work it is! My bf's sister has FIVE and they are 5, 3 year old twins, 2 and newborn! She's also homeschooling them. 🙂 Good luck on Monday! I know you'll do great!
whoops! I left the previous comment accidentally signed in with my husband's account. kind of weird to see my words next to his bearded face!
libby Janed
You can do it Ruby! You've made it this far. You're just going to have a new 'normal' and I bet True can help out more now! Good luck! xo, rv
http://aneclecticheap.blogspot.com/
Take deep breaths and realize the lessons you're giving your little brood of girls is the how important family is and valuable and precious the job of a mother is. I only have two little girls so I'm no expert but I imagine some kind of routine, even a loose one, will help everyone. With all the love and creativity in your house, you'll be fine! ps. randomly thought of this – try to find giant boxes (like from an appliance or something) and let the girls go to town. Keep a few lying around for moments when you just need to sit down =)
Don't forget that everything is seasonal. Right now you are in a season where you can't get it all done. Your house might be messy and you might not get all the homeschooling done, but it will pass quickly and you'll be amazed at how fast. Deep breaths and trust God. He will help you get through this too!
When my fourth was born this year, I took 6 full weeks off from homeschooling! If you feel up to it, do it… but if you don't, relax and enjoy these first few weeks! You will only have this time with Glow once 🙂 And the girls will not suffer one bit from a prolonged break because of her. Blessings 🙂
Don't worry too much about school–your girls are so young!! I have 7 kids that I've always homeschooled–ages 20 to 2. I would just read to them while I nursed the baby–that would be enough while they're so little. There is a great article called “The Baby is the Lesson” Here's a link–I hope it works.
http://www.lovetolearn.net/policies/baby.lasso
You can do it Ruby!
Praying the Lord gives you the strength and wisdom you need to get through days alone with the kids.
xo
Praying for you! 🙂 You're right. Rely on God, let the housework slide a little… Make housework into games for the older girls! They'll love to help! 🙂
Take care of yourself and your beautiful girls!
hey… monday i am also all by myself! alex is going back to work. i am nervous, but i also only have two. you have four! if anyone can do it, you can! i'll be thinking of you/praying for you.
hugs!!
You will do wonderfully! Remember that you are in charge…that is the beauty of homeschooling. You can make a schedule that works for you, some days reading a book is school, or baking a cake and talking about the measuring…
Don't pressure yourself too much – you give them so much already!
xoxo
Isaiah 41:10
Wait … you're still keeping a clean house? I'm having a hard enough time doing that with one baby. Cut yourself some slack, mama!
Hang in there Rubyellen! You will be just fine. We are women, hear us roar! (this coming from an exhausted mom of two). -ellyn
When my husband went back to work I was scared too but it wasn't as bad as I thought. My 5yr old helps me and the other two aren't too bad but I've had to lock a whole lot of cupboards. I did go a bit crazy but it was because I never had my own time-outs which is what you will need to keep sane! You'll have good days and bad days but just keep praying and it will work out. I use to do a lot of stuff when they all went to sleep.
going from 1-2 was oh so hard, that going from 2-3 was a breeze…i wasn't lucky enough to go from 3-4 but am thinking it probably swings back to tricky again! But that initial anxiety very quickly disappears…after all we get to be too busy to focus on that and 'just do'. Good luck and look forward to hearing all the wonderful things you all get up to. x
On the one side I can understand your fears because I felt the same when my husband went back to work the first day and I was at home suddenly with two, just 20 months away from each other, but on the other side, they were just two and you got four little sweeties. When I first came across your blog I was so impressed how you manage your day with three girls that close and how you also got time with your husband, we didn't have that loverstime and just got two!
I think it's your right to have fear and of course everything is new, you do homeschooling too…but I also think I will be very impressed again when you post about your family life and how you manage everything again in some weeks!
All the best to you and your family!
Love,
Penny
http://fabulousimpressions.blogspot.com
Oh, Ruby, I'm praying for you and I'm sure it will all be fine! Because God is with you! =)
hugs to you all, from Brazil!
One fine day I was getting the 16 month milk when the three year old Hamzah was like Mama Norah cryin ! I said ok she will be fine let me get Mehdi milk. Norah was 6 weeks and a few minutes late three year old Hamzah appeared carrying her by her head and said Mama I told you Norah cryin ! If you make through without any of this then you have done well ! You are great you'll be fine ! btw I had 4 kids in 3 years !
Good luck, but I'm sure that if anyone can do it, it will be you.
You'll manage. Every time, just before my husband goes back to sea, I start to panic about how I'll cope with my four. And, every time, it all just happens. They get fed, the house remains hygienic (enough), their clothes are clean.
all will be well.
Trust in your own strength.
Karen (Scotland)
I bet you'll do just fine 🙂
relying on God more is a must! Only He can give you the grace to care for 4 little ones.
i heard the opposite! going from 2-3 is hard but going from 3-4 is a cinch!
so you got it covered mama!