Juggling Mums

Keep bedtimes consistent: I stagger bedtimes with the youngest going first as she has me most of the day. My two other children have half an hour with me each before they go to bed. That way everyone is tucked up by 8pm but they have all had at least half an hour quality time with Mum.

Keep a 'worry box': This is just a decorated cardboard box. We all write down our worries and pop them in the box. Two or three times a week we sit down together, take out all the worries and have a discussion. The important rules are that no one can laugh at anyone else's worries and no worry will ever warrant a 'telling off'.

Organise a chores rota: All the children (even the youngest who is three years old) do small jobs around the house, like feed the cats, for a reward. It could be money - 50p maximum per job. Half an hour on the computer is a favourite.

Learn to compromise at Christmas and on birthdays: My ex and I discuss what plans we have for the holidays and whether I have to work over the Christmas period, in particular. We work hard to find a compromise which suits everyone and generally find that holidays work out well.
serephinaangel

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