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of a mother of five!

What it takes to be a mother of five

Tuesday, 10. November 2009, 15:35:02

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People always ask me how I manage with five children. I'm going to let you all in on a well kept secret:

I don't manage. I have more grey hairs than a grey wig factory, but every parent stresses over their children. Every day stuff like: Is he going to be warm enough? Did I remember to throw an extra pair of mitts in his bag?

But what takes to be a mom of five is strength, and lots of laundry detergent.

We have good days, when everything goes smoothly and I haven't had to douce any of them with peroxide.

And we have bad days, when nerves are stretched and tempers are flared. I take a time out for myself, and maybe take a ten minute bath. With only one washroom ten minutes is a luxury..there is always someone pounding on the door yelling "HURRY UP MOM!" I can practically see the yeller jumping up and down in distress and holding their crotch. Not sure why we do that, jumping doesn't distract thee bladder from it's intent to empty.

To have five children one must love to cook, and be tollerant of dirty dishes. 3 meals a day plus two snacks multiplied by six people can obviously only eaqual dishpan hands. I don't have the luxury of a dishwasher, in fact I wouldn't know how to use one if I did have said luxury.

Sure having five children is a good deal of work, but moments that I cherish make all that work seem like very little effort. Simple things like watching a movie together really do make my life a great place to be.




Her mamma's eyesShe hates her name!

Comments

angel292005 10. November 2009, 15:43

Wait...they don't go to school?! :yikes:

Tabmartel 10. November 2009, 15:50

Yes they go to school lol. But they aren't there constantly. :smile:

3 of them were home sick last week :frown:

The school is two blocks away so they eat lunch at home most days.

angel292005 10. November 2009, 15:53

Ok, well I try to keep my 4 in school with perfect attendance, lol. Sorry to hear that 3 were sick. About 2 weeks ago, we went through a phase of them getting sick. :frown: Only 1 was lucky out of the 4 not to get sick.

Tabmartel 10. November 2009, 15:57

Yeah me too, but everyone here is paranoid of H1N1 and we are told to keep them home for now even if it's a just a cough. Perfect attendance is difficult for me. Danika never gets sick, but with me having no immune system I catch everything and then give it to them.

Dacotah 10. November 2009, 17:31

I can imagine the work with five kids but the rewards are far worth it. :smile:

kentsopera 10. November 2009, 17:48

Hi Tab,

Enjoyed your "What it takes to be a mother of five", :D
Easy for me to :happy: as a Dad and hunter - gatherer, and now having critical distance and age. Your lifelong reward for childbearing is those kids and all that goes with them -
the loving relationship that only each of you can share with eachother and simple moments that give complex emotions.

I just have to share this with you. I don't know if you ever saw The Carol Burnett Show, popular American comedian and down to earth like you - she is a funny lady. Anyway, she got into a discussion about motherhood, and described giving birth feeling like -
" taking your lower lip and pulling up over your head. " :yikes: :lol:

Regards and take care and stay healthy,

Kent IM-Smiley.com

Tabmartel 10. November 2009, 19:08

Everybody my age knows Carol!

Child birth was easy for me. I slept through labour with Matthew. All 2.5 hours of it.

Tabmartel 10. November 2009, 19:10

Oh and thanks Kent!..I had fun writing it!

Dacotah 10. November 2009, 19:50

:smile:

Tabmartel 10. November 2009, 20:07

:wink:

Nerak 11. November 2009, 02:03

Both you and Sarah are like Saints in my book. I simply don't have the patience for more than two kids...who are six years apart. I did that on purpose for the simple fact that I knew I didn't have what it'd take to do anything else!

You're amazing! :love:

L2D2 11. November 2009, 02:18

I think so too, Karen. I think it takes special moms to raise such a brood, and by yourself. Don't know what happened to daddy, but you have a really tough row to hoe and you do it mainly with a smile and a good sense of humor---otherwise, you'd not be able to do all you do.

Nerak 11. November 2009, 03:26

Linda, how many kids do you have? I should know the answer, but I don't. :frown: Now I feel all guilty. I hate that!

L2D2 11. November 2009, 03:51

One son, Karen. God knew exactly what He was doing when he never allowed me to get pregnant again. Then I had a hysterectomy when I was 36. I had to raise Chris pretty much by myself without anyone who wanted to be a real father to him, so it was good that I had only him.

Nerak 11. November 2009, 04:21

Yep...God certainly did know what He was doing! I'm happy that things worked out the way they did for both you and Chris. Kudos to you for doing it all on your own, too! That's really commendable. :o:

Tabmartel 11. November 2009, 11:23

Well, the father of my children happens to be a wonderful and very involved dad, so I am not doing it all by myself :smile:

I never really thought about having a large family, it just happened. I don't consider myself to be a strong person, but sometimes when I need to, I can yank some strength from someplace deep inside myself. I think we all have strength we are unaware of..we just haven't been put in situations that test it.

kentsopera 11. November 2009, 16:50

It is good to know your children have a responsible father.
Also, that the Tab & Tribe have a good countryside to flourish in!

I agree Tab, we all have that inner strength as humans, and it's good we do have the capability, in order to cope with life's twists and turns. One just needs to circumvent the emotional or situational blockages.

Question - If it happens, and your next child is a boy, would you consider naming him:
First Name "Fleetwood",
Middle Name "Mac",
Last Name His Rightful Name? :wink:

Glad you like them, me too - got all their CDs. Much more to come on the "Jukebox DJ"! :hat:

LATER KID, IM-Smiley.com


Tabmartel 11. November 2009, 17:00

Kent that hotel has been shut down so womb service is not available.

If I were to become pregnant (which is so NOT gonna happen) I gaurantee you..neither Fleetwood Nor Mac would make the name list. :lol:

Stephane and I may not get always along very well, but he is a great father.

angel292005 11. November 2009, 17:56

I really didn't plan on having 4 kids. This is what happened...we had our first one, Rachael. She was the best baby..except for being attached to my boob. Then we got pregnant with the twins. I didn't ask for that. I didn't pray for that, and the idea of it wasn't a good one for me because I liked to go out and have a good time with friends at that time. I was only 20, after all.

When the twins were 3 we slipped up and had the last one, Mariah. So.......that's that. I should have had my tubes tied after the twins.

Tabmartel 11. November 2009, 18:00

I made threats...if you don't get a vasectomy you'll never have sex with me again!

God I'm a bitch! :lol:

Tabmartel 11. November 2009, 18:18

I was 21 when Amanda was born. I was married and had already lost one baby. I was thrilleed to be pregnant.

1 month after Amanda was born I was pregnant again.
That baby was born at 25 weeks. That baby died at 25 weeks. There is a picture of that baby on file at the hospital. I can go see it anytime. I never have. I don't know if it was a boy or a girl, and I chose to never find out. Easier to lose a baby than to lose a son or daughter. That baby was born and lost on my birthday in 1994. I have not celebrated since.

In 1994 I became prgnant again. I was so devestated by the loss, that having a child seemed like the only way to ease the pain. Branden was born Sept 8 1995

Lost another baby between Branden and Jacob @ 3 months gestation

Jacob was born in 1998, but I still wanted another daughter. I got pregnant again right away and lost it @ 4 months.

Then I got pregnant with Niki. She was induced early because she had very little amniotic fluid, which the doctor quickly blamed on me being a smoker and smoking durring pregnancy.

I have never smoked in my life.

I lost another baby in 2002, at 14 weeks and Matthew was born in November 2003. My little guy has just turned 6.

My body has been through hell, and emotionally I could not cope with another loss. I am very content with my family and we are complete.

L2D2 11. November 2009, 18:48

So many losses! I admire you Tab, because you have handled these things well, IMO. Not sure I could have come through all that. Period.

Tabmartel 11. November 2009, 19:01

It wasn't easy.
I've been through a lot to have the family I have.

Thanks, I don't feel particularly admirable though..

I was so devistated by the loss of the baby at 25 weeks. I can't describe the pain I went through. I tore up my bible and I cussed at God..not able to understand how he could bless me with a child and then suddenly yank it away from me.
Crazy reasoning huh!?

ellinidata 11. November 2009, 21:45

when I was loosing all my babies during the first months of my pregnancy, my late mom was trying to comfort me by saying "you have no kids ,you have one problem , having many kids ,you have many problems". It might be true that worries always do exist. BUt,
after loosing Michael to a massive stroke when my babies were 2years of age and eight months old,
I never ,ever considered the worries and problems enought for me not to feel blessed. Having no family / blood relatives in the USA did make it a challenge BUT as a parent I know you all agree when I say "we are all blessed".
Becoming a parent is a blessing and I wish all of you a long and healthy life to enjoy your kids :heart:

Nerak 11. November 2009, 21:47

Originally posted by angel292005:

.except for being attached to my boob.


Can ya' blame her?! :lol:


Tab, I'm so sorry to learn of your losses. I had no idea. :heart: I can't even begin to imagine the pain. You're such a strong woman and such an inspiration. :o:

The fact that you don't feel particularly admirable makes you even more so. :wink:

L2D2 11. November 2009, 21:55

Originally posted by Nerak:

The fact that you don't feel particularly admirable makes you even more so



I agree. I never got pregnant but the one time, so I thank God that I had no losses to suffer like yours, Tab, and I had a healthy baby who never gave me a minute's trouble till he hit 16. Then, oh boy!

Tabmartel 11. November 2009, 22:09

16 is the magic number eh?

When I lost my babies oit always felt as though the world were crashing down around me.

I'm thankful for the children that I do have..

I'd much rather be admired for my achievements, than for my sufferings :smile:

Angeliki I am not great with words, but I understand loss..
:heart:
You must see all that's beautiful in the world when you look at your children.

Nerak 11. November 2009, 22:13

:left: 13 was Jameson's magic number. :down:

Tabmartel 11. November 2009, 22:16

I just signed a fight reflection from school for Jacob...Homer: Doh! It begins!

ellinidata 11. November 2009, 22:24

Originally posted by Tabmartel:

Angeliki I am not great with words, but I understand loss..
:heart:


Thanks Tab same here :heart:

Nerak 11. November 2009, 22:27

:lol: What are the odds?! :hugs: All of us Moms are here for ya', Sweety!

Tabmartel 11. November 2009, 22:34

A kid told Jacob that he stunk and then the kids mom told Jacob that he would grow up to be a welfare bum.

Imagine!

So Jacob called the mom a f**cking bitch, and her son an ass ****.

Jacob, of course is the one who got the reflection...

As I said..the fun begins :lol:

Aww Karen...we momma's gotta stick together :heart:

Nerak 11. November 2009, 22:36

Good for Jacob!!! :irked: Man, that really pisses me off to hear that he was talked to like that. I don't condone violence, but c'mon! There comes a time when we've all got to stand up for ourselves.


Yes, we do! :heart:

Speaking of which...we need to do our cookie post soon! :D

Tabmartel 11. November 2009, 22:40

I was thinking about that today...

Monday works for me..

Also for safety reasons maybe friends only?

L2D2 11. November 2009, 22:55

Don't know what you two are talking about, but I'm all eyes and ears.

Nerak 11. November 2009, 22:56

That's a good idea. Monday works for me, too. :D

Are we both going to post it or just one of us? I think maybe we both should. You have some friends I don't have - and vice versa. :smile:

Tabmartel 11. November 2009, 22:59

Ah well Karen and I are talking about cookies around the world. People are partnered up and send each other cookies for Christmas. :wink:
Details will be posted on our blogs soon.

Tabmartel 11. November 2009, 23:01

Both Karen, as we did last year. Lots of people didn't find out about it until it was too late last year..so posting early is good.

Nerak 11. November 2009, 23:03

Right - that's what I was thinking. Monday is a great day for it! I'll link back to your blog & you can link to mine like last year. :D


Linda, I hope you'll join in! It's a really cool and fun thing. We've only done it one other year - last year, but everyone really seemed to love it. :D

Tabmartel 11. November 2009, 23:09

It was fun!

:smile: I can't wait!

Nerak 11. November 2009, 23:25

I think that each year will get better and better. We'll eventually get it down to a science. :D

Tabmartel 11. November 2009, 23:31

I think so too!

It's gotta be a sticky post this year I think.

Nerak 11. November 2009, 23:33

:idea: Yes! That's true. Last year, mine kinda got lost in a sea of babble. :lol:

Tabmartel 11. November 2009, 23:36

:lol: mine too!

Nerak 11. November 2009, 23:43

I should start digging out the Christmas graphics now. :sigh: It comes earlier and earlier every year!

Tabmartel 11. November 2009, 23:45

I don't do anything to my blog..CSS is rather difficult to do from a mobile!

Nerak 12. November 2009, 00:41

I'd imagine so! I'm not talking about CSS, though. I just meant the little animated gifs I use in blog posts & whatnot. :smile:

Tabmartel 12. November 2009, 01:07

Oh lol..I thought you were getting creative again and revamping your blog for Christmas:P

Nerak 12. November 2009, 02:05

Hell no! :lol: I don't think I'll be changing my theme for a VERY long time...if ever. For some odd reason, I'm not sick of it yet. That's very odd for me, too. I tend to grow sick of things quickly. :confused:

Tabmartel 12. November 2009, 13:58

Well you have a pretty badass theme goinh on there!

Don't mess with a good thing :wink:

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Countdowns

75 days until Jacob turns 12
79 days until Maggie Muggins 3 years loved by me
162 days until Mugs' birthday
201 days until I turn 38!
251 days until Niki turns 11
266 days until Amanda turns 17
277 days until Branden turns 15
334 days until Matt turns 7
1113 days until It's the end of the world as we know it...and I feel fine.
4584 days until Until I turn 50