The Best Fluffy Pancakes recipe you will fall in love with. Full of tips and tricks to help you make the best pancakes.
As a Mom of 5, Here Are 3 Things I Did Differently From My Oldest to Youngest
Disclosure: As a member of the Amazon affiliate program, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases via links found in this article at no additional cost to you.
There’s nothing like being a first-time mom. You embark on the journey with all these ideas about the kind of parent you want to be. Then, your baby arrives with his or her own unique needs and temperament.
Maybe she’s a great sleeper, and that opens up an avenue for you to expend more energy on baby-led weaning when the time comes. Or, maybe your baby has colic and you’re thrust into months of survival mode. Our babies can have as much of an impact on us as we do on them. Throw subsequent children into the mix, and now you have even more changes. Here’s a glimpse into my own personal evolution from first-time mom to mom of five. These are the three main things I did differently from my oldest to my youngest.
1. I learned to use formula to support and extend breastfeeding
With my first son, I was determined to avoid giving him baby formula at all costs. He was great at nursing, so it mostly wasn’t a problem. However, once I returned to work, I had a hard time pumping enough milk to keep up with what he needed.
I became extremely preoccupied with this problem. I was stressing myself out, which had a further negative impact on my milk supply. With my fourth and fifth babies, I pumped what I could and used formula to make up the difference. With a house full of kids, I did not have the bandwidth to worry about it. I breastfed my younger set of twins until they lost interest at 10 and 11 months old.
2. We pretty much skip pajamas
Years ago, my husband used to take my older set of twins to preschool. He’s not a morning person, and I would find them in their pajamas when I’d pick them up in the afternoons several days each week. At the time, this annoyed me. But then I realized there was a stroke of genius in his shortcut.
We started skipping the pajamas and dressing them in their play clothes for school the next day at bedtime. Nowadays, my boys live in comfortable play clothes. In summer it’s athletic shorts and T-shirts. In winter, it’s sweatpants and sweatshirts.
Most nights after baths, we just dress them in the clothes they’ll wear to school or daycare the next day. Pajamas are reserved for special occasions like holidays, sleepovers with grandparents and school spirit weeks. This makes for more flexible and less stressful bedtime and morning routines.
3. I don’t fight with them on breakfast choices
When my older children were toddlers, I made them breakfasts featuring fresh fruit, protein and whole grains every single day. I’d blend spinach into their smoothies. I’d artfully arrange sliced strawberries on a perfectly toasted waffle.
Now my preschoolers grab a bag of goldfish or even Funyuns for breakfast on the way out the door sometimes. I don’t have the energy to fight it. I know at school they will be served fruit and vegetables. I know I’ll serve them in the evening, too.
In essence, my numerous children have taught me that I cannot sweat the small stuff. I simply lack the capacity. Plus, as I’ve gained offspring, my perspective has shifted. I work hard to focus on the things that are truly important to me and my family and let everything else go. That leaves more time and energy for early morning kitchen dance parties before school.
Are there certain things you did differently with your oldest vs your youngest? Let us know in the comments below.
The content written on this website is for entertainment purposes only and is not meant to be taken as medical or professional advice. For questions or concerns, please contact us.
