| Author | Message | ||
     Vegasbueller |
How do you do it????? About 3 weeks ago, Sammie's long lost sister found us. They haven't seen each other in almost 7 years. Now, they moved down to Florida, from the far North Eastern part of Washington and are living with us till they can find a house. The kicker is she brought my three nephews and two grandaughters with them! 5 kids ranging from 2 to 11. How do you people manage more than one child without hanging yourself from the shower head!? The first night, they unleashed their pit bull, which promptly ran through (yes through) one side of my pool screen and then out the other. Then, it made salad out of my prize Sago palms. As I am getting the beast in her newly erected kennel, I hear one of the nephews screaming from insuide..."uncle Nick, something is stuck in the toilet and there's water running everywhere". Great! Now I am on a mission to rescue the Ken doll from a certain drowning death. In the mean while, the two year old, who is a crying, pooping machine is screaming at top volume. The middle nephew is running around and around the house like a wild indian. I am wishing I had bought that Taser we looked at last year. Finally all is under control. Now wherever I go, the boys are with me like a pack of puppies. I have been fishing more in the past two weeks than I have in my entire life, and have even been teaching them to work with me in the radio shop. The girls?? I haven't figured those out. There are apparently different rules of engagement when dealing with the smaller creatures. To those of you that can pull this off with two or more kids, my hat is off to you! Nick | ||
| 65460 |
Beer, LOTS of beer.  | ||
| Newfie_buell |
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA did I mention HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA  By the way my 4 are aged 8, 9, 11 & 15. | ||
| Reepicheep |
LOL. I have had moments like that.  You get a rhythm after a while. My experience (and this is both a joke and is absolutely true) is that it's easy to have one less kid then you currently have. Going from 1 to 2 to 3 to 4 kids doesn't really seem that much harder, but when one kid is with the spouse and you find yourself with one less, that somehow seems easy. Odd stuff, that. Wherever you go though, that's where the party is at. Kids are great fun. | ||
| Vegasbueller |
My own "kid" is now a 21 year old 6'4", 250 pounder that plays semi-pro football. He was/is an only child and when he went out on his own, it was tough. Now going from 0 to 5 in an overnight has been a serious shock. Seriously, I am loving the heck out of it! It is just a testament to the parents that can do it! Newfie, congrats! Sounds like you have a good "mix". The older ones can help with the younger ones. (Or at least that is how I am trying to work it!) | ||
| Court |
I (who had two) have always said that when the number of kids exceeds the number of hands things get exponentially more complex. You have my sympathy . . On the other hand . . . kids are the most fun I have ever had! | ||
| Chasespeed |
Well, tonight, I just have my daughter, who, in and of herself, is the most polite 3 year old I have ever met... My g/f's daughter, is 2, and literally, right where my daughter was at 2... driving me stark raving mad... The solace, like the Dog said... is, I have Trin, every other week... and, Keirna is here, Tuesday thru saturday mornings.. Believe me, its a relief for both of us to return the kids to the other parent, as, I am sure it is a relief to them, to turn the kids back over.... Between everything, my bike is newly rebuilt, and now collecting dust...the rodeo and the newly aquired Bronco are getting more mileage than we thought... Oh well, its all fun, as long as you look at it that way... Chase | ||
| Buellfighter |
A fellow who works for me keeps me laughing with the stories of his five kids. He said the other day he pulled in the driveway after a long day at work and could see one of the kids through the window as he was jumping up and down on the couch. He just sat there in the car and listened to the radio for awhile and gathered strength for the evening ahead. I don't know how he does it! | ||
| Cochise |
Well, first of all, you get your kids one at a time and teach each one some manners so they don't turn out quite bad. | ||
| Ulywife |
It's always easier with your own children because you've had a very strong say in what is and is not acceptable. We have 3 and some days are easier than others! When you have 5 children come into your home that weren't raised the way yours were it causes stress.....lots of stress. First thing I'd do is help them house hunt! Two families under one roof is most times recipe for disaster. Until then, you may have to have a heart to heart with your sister-in-law. This is yours and Sammie's house and they are guest and should respect your belongings and pets. Best of luck and I hope they find something soon! | ||
| Vegasbueller |
Kristy, I have buried them with newspapers/classifieds! It has taken some getting used to. We all did the "can we do this" for a week or so before they got here. I love em to death, but thank goodness it won't be permenant as far as the two entire families go. Honestly, the kids mind pretty well. Well, after we all had a little sit down and some ground rules laid down. The boys would stay under foot night and day if I let them. For me, it is a fun change. The little girls are a real pair! The oldest is like Sammie made all over! We could end up with her on a more permenant basis in the future. Living with two women ion the house will be something to adjust to! Thanks Court! Chase, I hear ya! The only XB that is getting any love right now is my Scion. Buellfighter: I have learned that trick already. When I call Sammie from work at night, I am just happy when she answers and know that they haven't burned the house to the ground. Cochise: I think they already look at me like a Marine DI. The two younger boys still do the "yup", "huh" and "nope" when asked a question. They are changing that attitude now due to a little more male encouragement in their lives. (their real dad killed himself a few years ago) | ||
| Teddagreek |
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| Mr_grumpy |
Don't forget that they're NOT yours. You can teach them to swear & walk away from the results. Now doesn't that sound satisfying?  | ||
| Ceejay |
Whenever friends come over with theirs I teach them how to open beer bottles, drink from the milk jug and make sure they don't put anything away Mine(3) on the other hand, are complete angels and would never do anything wrong...ha, ha, ha...That would be tough dealing with a gaggle of children that aren't your's. Whenever the kids outnumber the parents, things get very interesting. and I've thought about the tazer too, electric dog fence, or those spring loaded leashes All in good fun though. Good luck, hope you all are still friends/relatives you'll claim, afterwards. | ||
| Swordsman |
HA! tedda, thats PERFECT! I just turned 30, been married for 5 years, and luckily my wife and I have managed to dodge that bullet thus far. Everyone that asks us about having kids promptly drops the subject when I tell them about my plans for baby-raisin'... a litter box and a shocking collar!  ~SM | ||
| Vanvideo |
Does this mean the BBQ is cancelled? | ||
| Midknyte |
The girls?? I haven't figured those out. You never will... But take solace in not being alone. | ||
| Vegasbueller |
BBQ over??? heck no! These guys are great man, now that we have established rules, etc. No different than any other "family" home you would come to. No rules have changed except he naked jello surfing will not happen this year. Ceejay: Those a great ideas! The have chewed through the ankle cuffs a few times already. ~SM: I did my parenting way early in life. I am 38, my son is 21, do the math! I wouldn't trade the world for my boy, but I wished I had waited at least a little while. Come on, 30 is the perfect age for it! Midknyte: I have figured out a few things now. #1: Nomatter what you do or say, they will cry. #2 for the two year old, the amount of what comes out is exponetially more than what goes in. #3 The 3 year old knows that an "I love you, grandpa" will usually work for whatever she wants/needs. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
I got 2 & the 2nd came at 40! They make you feel old but they really keep you young. | ||
| CJXB |
25 & 25 and if I had one at 40 I would not have been happy !!! Goes to show grumpy you're not the one actually HAVING the baby !! | ||
| Newfie_buell |
This whole thread is NUTS. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Just dropped my 4 off at Nannies for the afternoon............. Its all good fun though - each of the 4 have their own very different personality despite being raised in the same manner. 15yr old girl where the world revolves around HER and not ME anymore, 11yr old boy who is a born leader and Mommy's Boy, 9yr old mechanical engineer in the making - he loves anything to do with mechanical things and the 8yr old boy who is just TROUBLE. Makes it an interesting combination. Enjoy it while it lasts - then you can take them on weekends for a visit. | ||
| Swampy |
I found with working with the youngsters that you have to out think them, "Controlled Caos" You know the boys are going to run so you tell them "ok, NOW, RUN TO ____," then when they get there "NOW RUN TO THERE" They are going to goog off, just controll it. I was really shining when the Big Kid was 7 or 8, and I was supervising him and his other wild ass buddys, and the other mothers on the field trip would say, wow you really have them under control, how do you do it?  and I would be like "yo, baby, do you need a lesson?" But whatever you do do not show any signs of weakness or being perplexed, they can sense it like an animal and they will feed off it and devour you! (Message edited by swampy on February 26, 2007) | ||
| Etennuly |
 I have four. Child three came to live with us last summer, with her husband, daughter, and two untrained large puppies, for "a week or two", because their lease was up on their apartment, while their new home was being finished. Five months later my yard and camper needed a major repair and clean up(we'd thought they would have done at least that in lou of rent, utilities, ect......but they didn't). Down to 1.5 at home. 19 year old just graduated Tech college, on her way out. Youngest is 16, he has 2 years three months and twelve days to his graduation and off to college! My mortgage pay off is a couple months later. I'm seeing new 2009 or 2010 Uly and a serious long, long ride in my future. I truly love all of my kids, and couldn't imagine life with out them. Vegas, I feel your pain. The best way I found to deal with it, even after the dog damage, the over use of my camper couch and mattress, having to hookup to tow twenty miles to dump the septic every three weeks(they paid $10 for fuel once), and the $450.00 window blown out of my SUV by my son in-laws only attempt at helping during their stay, was to expect the worst...no more than that....total disaster, requiring replacement of everything we've worked for, then being happy to settle for what was left to my wife and me, that wasn't broken or used up. It became ours again only after we fixed and cleaned it all up. Thank you. Writing this has just helped me figure out how I put 10,000 miles on my Uly last summer over six months. I work at home, so it also explains how few or none of my projects got done last summer, I had escaped nearly every weekend thanks to my Uly. Buell motorcycles are truly good for one's mental well-being. I highly recommend RIDE!  | ||
| Kdan |
I got one word for ya. Duct Tape. | ||
| Vanvideo |
That's two words, Kdan. | ||
| Leftcoastal |
"No rules have changed except he naked jello surfing will not happen this year." DAMN! and I was planning on riding out from L.A. just for that reason! I spent a freakin' FORTUNE in Jello for practicing in, too! Guess I'm gonna stay home and miss Daytona, again, as usual. Good luck with that pack of crumbsnatchers, Vegas! AL | ||
| Vegasbueller |
CJ: Sammie says the best birth control in the workld would be if men were just made to have ONE baby.  Newfie: One of the girls is definately all girlie girl. When I head out for work she tells me bye, I love you, and go make some money for Grandma! All three of the boys are a lot of fun. Two of them hang in the shop with me daily and have actually picked up on doing some circuit board repairs/soldering very fast. Swampy: It is all like playing chess. One strategic move at a time! And, I agree...never let them see you sweat. (or get pissed) Etennuly: Yeah, we did get some GOOD news today and that is that they have found a house and will be moving on the first. We may end up with one of the girls on a more permenant basis, but I can deal with that. The dog... all I could do is laugh. I think I may have cried inside, and even thought of a very LONG ride that night, but I could not abandon Sammie.  Kdan: I had been shoppig for one of those cattle prod dealies. You know, just something to stun them for a few minutes whie I relax. Tape doesn't work. They digest that fairly quick. Well dangit Al! But what the heck, it wouldn't be the same anyway since Dora is not going to be there.  | ||
| Kdan |
I have the answer! http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=6090def548eb b1c8bcfc5f005b17d1e8.603755 | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Kids are the dirty lil secrets parents dont want you to know about  Proud uncle, spoil em rotten, load up on caffiene, return em. | ||
| Steve_mackay |
Being the youngest of 7, I learned a thing or two... Hence, we only have one child | ||
| Nevrenuf |
being in the middle of 7 i didn't want an odd amount for one to be in the middle and i didn't want her to be an only child to end up like some of the ones that i went to school with. i wish i had kidstones when they were younger though. | ||
| Lost_in_ohio |
Well your more a man than I. No way in gods green earth I would let a pit bull in the house. Far as kids go....discipline is key and everyone has jobs to do. I play lots of basketball and video games with them. Givem lots of love and set limits. Seems to be working for me so far. Sooooo, I hope you had the fore thought to set a move out date before they moved in. I have first hand experience with this.....My sister in law moved in with us for a month or so and it turned into a year. They have the same rights as renters, I had to get an eviction notice to get her out. | ||
| CJXB |
Sammie says the best birth control in the workld would be if men were just made to have ONE baby And Sammie is soooo right !! | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Wasnt Arnold Sw. in a movie like that ? Knowing several moms and to be moms, I find it funny that they dont talk labor times until after you had the baby, Up until then it is oh children are wornderful, yadda yaddda. Kind of almost like they want the new moms to be caught and initiated by the pain of labor. | ||
| Rick_a |
My parents had to deal with 9...and my wife wonders why we can't have another... | ||
| Vegasbueller |
My grandfather was 1 of 12! I have no idea how they did it. Good news is that they moved out today! Now we get to visit with them more on our "terms". Not that I don't love the kids to death but now... I can send them to their own home. We've established at least two Saturdays a month that is just for the "guy" to go fishing, boating, etc. That is going to be fun. | ||
| U4euh |
Sounds as though therapy after the accident just got greatly increased. Glad to hear your up on you feet and running 'around'. By the way , wife says " if you found Ken, where did they stick Barbie? " | ||
| Vegasbueller |
Hey Jim! I haven't seen you around lately. Ohh yeah, gooood therapy! Man, they beheaded Ken before the night was over. Scary thing...Sammie collects Barbies! She has watched the "inventory" like a hawk! | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
I collect Barbies too, you should see the notches on my belt, just don't tell the wife.  |
