How do you handle it when more than 2 want to cuddle? Now that they are approaching 3 years old, it's uncomfortable for me to hold one on my lap with one under each arm. Once 2 are snuggled beside me, one more always wants in on it, I've been squeezing the third on my lap (often with protests if anyone's arm/leg is touching anyone else) and just sit uncomfortable a little while. The head whacks to the chest are getting more painful though...

My older kids get special times and understand when I tell them they have a turn coming up, not so much the little guys.

Catherine

Bri, Mikayla, Tristan 3/09 (32.2)
Sage 10/06
Hunter 11/04

www.WhispersofPromise.blogspot.com

I hear ya! I get it a lot at story time, where I have my 7 year old, small for their age twins and my two year old who all want the lap position. Following up the rear are the nine year old triplets who still like to listen to the stories as well! My strategy is simply to rotate...whoever picked the book gets the lap position, the other two get to sit on either side. I tend to use the time to teach 'sharing' too. We alternate who gets the middle spot and it's uncanny how good they are at remembering whose turn it is to sit in the middle! Sometimes we 'rotate' at the same sitting. My two year old still has moments when she wants the lap or nothing else, but I'm hoping consistency will pay off and she'll get it soon.

Ellyn and the lucky 13!





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We have a child of the day...each day we rotate who is the child of the day. They get first choice of lap, spot at table..ect. Then we have a set order to rotate through to everyone else...everyone gets a turn. For storytime the child of the day picks the first book and sits on the lap...the others then follow.

We also have the rule that if you are unwilling to share, you get off. It leads to a few meltdowns, but in the end they learn sharing is the best option.

Lastly...I try to give each of them snuggle time every day. At 4 it is usually 2-5min. and then they are off and running again. But knowing they each get it (or got it) tends to ward off fighting.

The bumps and whacks do get harder...I have had several bloody lips and bruises from them. It is seem hard for them to remember that I break too!


Susan

Parent to GGG born 31 weeks 4 days 4/26/07




http://www.thedivinemercy.org/message

  

How old were they when they started to grasp the "child of the day"? I'm wondering if at 2 and a half mine are too small to get it.

Catherine

Bri, Mikayla, Tristan 3/09 (32.2)
Sage 10/06
Hunter 11/04

www.WhispersofPromise.blogspot.com

They got it as soon as they could recognize their initial written on the dry erase board. That was around 2. Before that they would just take our word for it that it was someones day.

Susan

Parent to GGG born 31 weeks 4 days 4/26/07




http://www.thedivinemercy.org/message

  

If I get overwhelmed by having everyone sit on my in the chair, I will move to the love seat and have two sit next to me and one sit on me. It helps alot and they are still close to me. Mine just turned 2 and for now this works.

It's difficult to explain to a 2yr old to share cuddle time with their Mommy. I like what the other Mom said and having a child of the day. I know when I read books to the kids I always line the 3 up on the couch side by side and then I sit in the floor in front, facing them to read the book. This way they don't fight who gets to sit in my lap at story time.

Tanna

06/22/07 29 weeks 4 days
Lincoln 2 lbs 13 oz
Colton 2 lbs 14.4 oz
Dakota 2 lbs 11oz
http://tannastriplets.blogspot.com/