Met a mom last week with 3 kids under 3

Avatar for myshkamouse
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Met a mom last week with 3 kids under 3
1350
Sat, 03-25-2006 - 9:59am

A 2 year old and 17 month old twins. First she accomplished *that* through two surrogates! Wonderful what modern medicine can do.
Anyway, she doesnt work full time, she consults to several companies so is out of the home one full day then a few hours a day on other days. Sometimes for work, sometimes to go to the gym, etc.
She has a full time live in nanny, and two part time nannies. Essentially they always have someone with them and the kids. She feels she needs two to properly care for her three.
I immediately thought of all the comments her lifestyle would elicit from this board.
The day she and I met she had just come from a 2 hour session at the gym, and was then heading off to go do some shopping.
BTW, she's a complete rock star in industry, having 'retired' a year ago after a 30 year career that took her right up to the top of corporate America so she's definetly *earned* her right to do whatever the heck she wants.
But anyway, she feels she is a super hands on mom. I was curious what others would think?

MM

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-12-2003
Mon, 03-27-2006 - 6:23pm
:) I wouldn't call the other three whiners so to speak... they just had hard childhoods, and let it drag them down for the rest of their lives. (Many people born in the 20s had hard childhoods) My grandma that is still living had a hard childhood too, but she sees life as what is in front of her rather than what is already behind her. I try to have the same outlook. (Not always successful!)
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2005
Mon, 03-27-2006 - 6:45pm

While I think that it may be true that those who live long have a great attitude, it doesn't similarly go that those that have a great attitude live long. My grandfather died when I was only 9, so that made him in his early 50s. He was always a happy guy. Always having fun. I don't think I ever heard him complain.

I find it sad that my brothers never met him.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-01-2003
Mon, 03-27-2006 - 7:28pm
My parents were very late by yesterday's standards mid-30's. DH's parents were a little younger than mine - early 30-s, still on the later side. By today's standards they'd still be on the later side - just not quite as late, lol.
Avatar for 4thekids2001
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Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 03-27-2006 - 7:29pm

I was a live in nanny but not on duty 24/7. Most weeknight evenings I went to my room a couple of hours before the twins went to bed so they could all have family time. I had almost all weekends free. Just because a nanny is there 24/7 doesn't mean she's actually working or even with the family. Also many people consider their nannies as one of the family, just like a grandparent or aunt or uncle being around.

Amy

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-01-2003
Mon, 03-27-2006 - 7:36pm
My FIL who is 82 is exactly like that. He gets up in the morning with a smile on his face, ready to go to work. He owned a machine shop for many years and still goes to it every day to work a full day. (His son owns it now). When our kids were small (he has 11 grandkids varying in age from 21-1, ours are 14-12 right in the middle) he would make up jingles and sing funny songs to them. He has a habit of mixing up his words - he calls potatoe chips - chip potatoes and that is such an endearing part of his personality. He is happy, active and still dances beautifully with w/his wife of 52 years. He really is an amazing, amazing man. I swear it is the physical activity that has kept him so healthy all these years. He takes absoulutely no medication.
Avatar for 4thekids2001
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 03-27-2006 - 7:47pm

You know the funny thing I'm one of the only ones in my group of friends that has never been on antidepressents or antianxiety drugs. With 6 kids I think I'm too busy to know how crazy I am! LOL You would probably faint if you knew my daily schedule, although between all the running back and forth I do have plenty of downtime(just not all at once). I choose to have 6 kids and only the 2nd and 3rd were closer then I planned, I love my life.

Amy

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-12-2005
Mon, 03-27-2006 - 8:36pm
I would think they's have to judge whether or not it is right for their families, but I certainly can't speak for all homeschoolers. I am not talking about judging the choices of others here, which is the difference and what I take exception with.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-12-2005
Mon, 03-27-2006 - 8:38pm
I have no problem with families judging what is right for their own families. I have a problem with across the board statments about the validity of an education choice or reasons for making choices.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-12-2005
Mon, 03-27-2006 - 8:41pm
Homeschooling is no longer something only considered by separatist, religious fanantics. Many families are choosing homeschooling for reasons other than religion. I don't HS for religious reasons.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-12-2005
Mon, 03-27-2006 - 8:57pm
Show me the homeschooler here that is judging parents for sending their children to PS and generalizing all PSs? Hasn't happened. There are however a few blanket generalizations that have been made about HS families in this thread. That is what I have an issue with. Haven't you been following along?I certainly haven't stated that I hs only for the reasons that you state. My reasons are multifaceted and because I think HS is the right choice for MY kids. I don't think it's right for everyone. Next year my dd is going to PS, so I don't have a problem with PS in the first place. You aren't making any sense.

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