Changing Ages

It is so interesting to see how the practical part of parenting changes with the different ages of the kids. When my kids were all little it was all about getting things accomplished - baths, supper, story time, etc. Now with kids of different ages the dynamic is so different. Older kids can be so helpful (when they choose to) with younger kids - you no longer have to figure out how to get a shower in each day or how to get supper on the table - you can hand off a baby to a bigger kid and know they are safe and the house will still be standing when you're done. It is a balance, for sure, because other things come up as well - bigger children, bigger emotions, bigger issues etc. There is always the additional balance of making sure you don't ask too much -- mom's are jugglers in that way -- but sometimes you can find a good balance between getting help and creating helpful children and getting things done in the house in an easier way and not asking too much - that is a mouthful!