Getting Real With Shadra Bruce
Q: I have five kids and I never seem to be able to keep up with the laundry. Do you have any ideas?
A: Have your husband do the laundry! Just kidding! While I am quite lucky that my husband does, indeed, do all the laundry, we do designate certain days for doing the wash. Towels and sheets are done once a week, and kids clothes are done on specific days. By only doing laundry a couple of times a week (even if it’s two or three loads on those days) it keeps it from feeling like we’re always doing laundry. Each of the kids has a laundry basket in his or her room, which keeps it all from piling up in the laundry room.
A: There are some very simple things you can do to make sure your kids know how special they are even when you’re balancing very busy schedules:
- End each day (even if you’re tired and would rather just collapse) talking to your kids for a few minutes about their day, tucking them in, and telling them you love them
- Even if you have to eat at an alternate hour, try to schedule family dinners together as many days during the week as possible
- Explain to your kids why you’re going to school and what it will mean for them in the future
- Pick one day a week to do something special – family movie night, game night, bowling, etc.
- Balance your schedule enough that you or your spouse can be in attendance at the important events in your child’s life
Q: I have twins and now that they are getting older they never want to do the same thing for their birthday. What do I do?
A: We have twins too, and it’s really important to make sure they are able to be individuals. This means different cakes, different themes, their own guests, and their own special moments. We always do a family party on the actual day of their birthday and make them each their own cake, then let them have a special activity with friends on the weekend before or after or at school.
Do you have any parenting questions? Let us know and we’ll round up advice & tips from the Mama Posse to help you through.
