Comments about ‘Motherhood, not love, is different second time around’

Great blog, Erin. It pretty much sums up my thoughts of the last several months. I feel a lot of guilt that baby #2 doesn't get as much attention as my almost-four-year-old or my errand runs, household chores, and other obligations. I never grew up with an older sibling, but I can see how much my one-year-old daughter loves playing with her big sister (and vice-versa). I also reassure myself that the season will come when sister will be off at kindergarten or playing at a friend's house, and then I'll be able to make up for it and do those same activities her big sister got to enjoy with Mommy. For the time being, I'm going to make a greater effort to schedule a solid block of time with each of my children and make sure they know I cherish them both individually and equally.

....and when the teenage years come you kind of do the same...I tell my older kids, when they ask why the younger ones get to do things they didn't get to do...I tell them yeah, well we let you guys do things your younger siblings will never get to do...you live and learn. You will never be able to treat your children the exact same because they are all individuals and they all have different and individual needs. It took me awhile to really allow that to happen...I was so worried about being "fair" to all of them. At some point you realize that you just have to love them and one day God willing they will have children of their own and come to you and say AH HA...I get it now! I can't remember how many times I've told my kids that life's hard...get a helmet...

She has no time to stare at her second baby, but plenty of time to blog!

Hmmmm.

I felt I had plenty of time for my first 2. When baby #3 came while I was back in college finishing my degree and working part time, I missed everything. Baby #4 got quite a lot of attention, since delivery complications wiped me out for that first year, keeping me home.

But I have made it my current mission to make up for lost time. I volunteered in her class, I started taking guitar lessons with her -- we practice and sing together. I still don't do everything she'd like, but she does still have 3 siblings who can't be ignored. I'm not there yet, but I'm on my way. And I hope she knows I love her and she's amazing!