So it's getting closer and closer to the time when we will be adopting my sister's 3 kids. I really have no idea how I'm going to do ANY doula work or even plan lesson plans for CBE when I will have six kids ranging from 3 to 11.5 years old.

HOW do you do it?! How do you attend a 36+ hour birth when you have little ones?

What am I getting myself into?! :panic

I've worked with families that have completed kinship adoptions and they've all said that it was similar to their experience when adding another biological child to the family. There is a period of adjustment for everyone and responses differ with each person. Its is imperative to be kind, empathic, and flexible not only to (all) the children but also to yourself.

You've already mastered the art of mothering your children. You've been through the addition of a second and third child. Have faith that you can handle another shift in familial energy. Find yourself a support network. I'm sure you understand that there is potential for difficulties and that there will be obstacles, but there will also be great things happening and if you look you'll find them.

Often when we foresee a change (for good or otherwise) we begin to feel the anticipatory anxiety before the shift even occurs. Having people in your life that will support you will make a huge difference.

I have arrangements with a neighbor, friend and have two paid babysitters. I pay one babysitter for a set number of hours per week and use that time to do administrative work. I either lock myself inside my office or I take my laptop and get out of the house entirely. I use a few hours for paperwork, taxes, invoicing, website updating, emails, etc. The next few hours are times when I schedule appointments. My neighbor and the other babysitter are for births and the friends provide emergency back up.

You will figure it out. Have faith in your passion, your energy, and your ability for creative problem solving. You're a woman!! We're multi-taskers.

I waited until mine were teenagers ( and my husband worked from home). There is no way in the world I could have managed it with little kids. I needed more structure, and I like organization.

Thanks ladies:) I think I'm going to have to put off doulaing till at least the older ones are old enough to watch the little ones with a neighbor contact if there is a problem. Getting someone to watch the kids while i'm "at work" doing admin work from home is a great idea too.
Does that work? My office is in my bedroom right now, though when we move I have no idea where it's going. I'm worried about the kids banging in my door asking for me.

I put off doula-ing until mine were teens. I had two grown children, and 6 teenagers, and two elementry school aged children, when I went for my certification and started my business. I attended births before that but they were random non-professional births for friends, I did that for 15 years before I became a career doula, even though I was doing births it was not a regular steady flow.



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I was busy!!

2y, 4y, 7y, 9y and two 11 yolds. I think it's a good idea to take a break and just focus on family dynamics for a bit until you all mesh and get over the shock but don't give up your dreams.

Nothing easy is worth doing. I doula, teach, homeschool, attend college and more. there is always time and energy to do what you love.

Goodluck to you!

Congratulations Lisa!

:ghug2

I am excited for you and the new possibilities for your family. Please check in when you can and let us know how you are doing! :)

Wow...I had to put doula work on hold for awhile with two. I can't imagine SIX!