Parenting is hard!

There's no getting away from it...life with three under three and a teenager is hard. I've been a bit quiet for a while because I've been struggling a bit. I seem to hit a good run and then something comes along to throw it all out of kilter again. I need to find acceptance that this is what it is like with four children. After only having one child for so long, I've been a bit spoilt.

Over the last week there has been a gastro and a summer cold running through the family. Ooffa is suspected of being gluten intolerant and there have been teething issues amongst all three of the littlies. I have also been working a couple of days a week. It has been really hard to keep any kind of rhythm going in the house, let alone 'do' anything with the children.

I used to be the mum that could pride herself on being several steps ahead of her child. Now I feel like I am constantly playing catch-up. I feel like I am barely surviving. Let's get down to it...right now, in this moment, I have little joy. If someone was to ask me for advice about raising three under three, my first impulse would be to scream and run for the hills. I'm not good for advice right now, sorry. But if you're in the same shoes as me, I feel your pain.

I made this choice to have my children and I would never change that decision. I also wanted the children close together. I love and adore my children (when they're sleeping!) But just because I chose this life doesn't mean I have to love every minute of it. That's what I love about blogging, I can stand up and say "Motherhood, parenting is hard. I am having it tough at the moment and I'd like to share with you how I'm dealing with that." And I would love to read other blogs that stand up and say the same thing.

I KNOW that life won't always be like this. I KNOW that it will get better. Although at times I have been known to think 'What if it's always going to be like this?!' But knowing these things doesn't help with the here and now. I want something that is going to help with the here and now. Is there something that I could do that will make it easier? Here's some thoughts I am going to repeat to myself. Please feel free to comment below anything you have found helpful. 

1. Expect the unexpected.
2. Smooth days are rare, enjoy them.
3. Each day is a new day (and they're one day older!)
4. Hate them, love them, my routines keep me sane.
5. When I close my eyes for sleep at night, replay the day through my mind and look for the moments that I can treasure. Especially the days when I think there's nothing I can treasure about it!