Anyone with several young children very close in age? Tips or advice?

I have 3 very young children. My son is almost 3, my stepson (who lives with us full time) is 15 months, and my daughter is 12 months (and we're expecting in De. I am a stay at home mom, and my husband works long hours. I have a hard time keeping them entertained, and I constantly have the TV on (which I want desperately to change), hoping for a few minutes of peace. I am looking for any ideas on how to provide them with safe, educational stimulation, and also any tips on how to keep them busy and still manage to keep up on the massive amounts of housework (laundry, dishes, picking up...). I should probably add that I nap when they nap, I really need the rest due to the pregnancy! Any tips or advice would really be appreciated! Thanks!Anyone with several young children very close in age? Tips or advice?
I had small children (10 months, 21 months, and an almost 4 year old) when I became a single mom. My best advice is a schedule. Set aside no more than an hour of educational tv that will keep all of the children's attention while you can get some housework done. Your three year old is at the perfect age for helping (make it a game - how fast can you get a diaper for me? give them damp wash cloths - they will clean everything in sight although it won't be perfect). I would do most of my housework after the children went to bed. Think simple for meals (a slow cooker is a great convenience). At such young ages, put them all in the bath together or have your oldest son bathe while you are drying and dressing the others. We would set an alarm clock for bedtime. The children all knew when the alarm went off it was time to brush their teeth and then get into one bed for a story or two and then to bed. Rules are a must (Toys stay in their rooms {start young with put one toy up before you take another out}, Food and stay at the table {eat outside when weather permits and there isn't a messy floor or table to clean}, Manners, etc.) If you want something to be a rule when they are older start if at birth and they will not know that there is another option. Remember to set aside a little me time when your husband is home and he can spend time with the children. And keep up the naps as long as you can - if you are rested, you will have more patience with your children. But most importantly - a little mess never hurt. Your children will remember the time you spend with them not if the house was always immaculate. Have fun with them. My children are now 22 (college), 20 (Marine), 19(graduated, moved out of state and looking for a new job), and 4(loves PBS Kids).Anyone with several young children very close in age? Tips or advice?
Lets see, i have an small assortment of toys in the living room at all times that i change out about once a week. That way they only have a few toys to clean up. Keep them in a basket you can just toss them into. Do laundry at night! I toss in a load at bedtime and in the morning i move it to the dryer and put a new load in. I do about 2 loads a day everyday, and it makes it so a have it maintained. I know about the TV issue, so what i did was buy a couple of the Baby Einstein dvd's and i play them with the volume a little low, THEY LOVE IT! Especially ';My first signs';. This way, they get their tv, but they learn at the same time =). Its fine if you nap when they do, sleep away, you need rest. Do dishes as they happen, that way it only takes about 5 minutes as compared to 45. Yes, it has to be done 3 times a day, but it still is less time.





If i helped at all, feel free to email me and i'd be glad to help more if i can!
Dont put anything off for later. If you look at drty dishes and think you can do them at nap time (or when ever) remember that that will be the day they all refuse to take naps! Schedule play times with them everyday because the more you play with them the more they will learn to leave you alone when you have to do chores.
I have 3 young children at home my eldest is 5 and twins at 3 and i am planning to have another. So i know how you feel my kids are on the go all the time I look forward to night times when they are all in bed when i can relax.
Hire a neighborhood teenager to play with them while you get your chores done. She can read to them and play with them. Many 13 and 14 year olds are looking for summer jobs but aren't old enough to work at Burger King or someplace like that.





I have twins who are 30 months and it's very difficult to fill their days. I feel your pain.
I have three children very close also, almost 4, 2 1/2, and 10 months. Make sure your house (or the rooms they play in) are extremely child proofed so you can leave the room occassionally to do housework. Put away some toys to take out only sometimes, then the toys are like new. It's hard, but just turn the TV off. They will have a hard time for a week or so, but then they will probably be better at entertaining themselves. Kids this age love to play outside and do sensory activities--painting, playing in water, playing in shaving cream, digging in the sand, playdough, etc. Get a book on activities to do with toddlers (look at teacher stores) and try some of them out with the kids. I also use a fifteen minute rule: I play with the kids or do an activity with them for 15 min, then I go and do housework for 15 min (but no longer), then back to the kids for 15 , etc. It works pretty well.
This must be rough! I have a friend who has quadruplets that are 20 months old! They have an older sister who is 5. The way my friend manages is that she has volunteers come over several times a week to play with the kids and do structured, skill-building activities. It's helpful to belong to a church, as you will often find retired men or women who would love to be involved with entertaining small children. My friend has several people from her church that help out. If you can afford to do so, consider a preschool/ daycare for maybe a few days a week, or for just a few hours every day. It would afford you some time to yourself and to catch up on chores, and it would expose the kids to other children to help with with their socialization.