Hands Full???

My first two kids were boys about the same age apart and my hands were full! For me two boys totally defied the math theory that 1+1=2. There was more than double the toys, clothes, chores, laundry, noise, food eaten, money spent. They were well behaved but they were so busy. I swore I would never sleep again!

I think it's more a "boys are busy little guys" kind of thing.

yes, I get it all the time. I have two boys 9 and 6 and one baby girl 8 1/2 months. I just smile and say, YUP! I have found myself saying that to people too...especially moms with more than 4 kids. I DO have my hands full!
L.

I have three kids...Get it all the time but I don't let it bother me...In what context has this been said to you? Are the boys being rather rambuncious (sp) when it has been said? Or in the course of the conversation do you rattle off all of your responsibilities and the boys committments. Remember people say dumb things sometimes...Social awkwardness. I know..no less irritating but try to figure out when it is said to you.

I have two small ones - a daughter who's 3 1/2 and a son who's 18 months.....since the day my son was born, I have been amazed at how "full" my hands are with two kids. As another mom said - somehow two seems like more than double! People say this to me too sometimes - but with smiles on their faces as though they know exactly how busy two or three or more kids can make things. I take it as a way for them to connect - maybe they're remembering those days in their own lives. As long as your kids are not in the middle of tantrums (and if that's the case, those people commenting on how full your hands are can mind their own business!), I wouldn't take offense. : )

I have 3 kids and my husband and I hear it a lot. But it's never meant as an insult as far as I can tell. My kids are well behaved and when they aren't we don't stand for it and act accordingly. We get compliments a lot on their behaviour. But, they are high energy, ask a million questions about everything and are interested in everything (I never thought I would use my iPhone so much to look up answers to the weird and random questions my kids come up with on a day to day basis while we're out! Couple days ago it was to identify a type of duck we saw at the park) They love to explore and hold conversations and get so excited that they sometimes forget they need to wait their turn. They always seem to want to go 3 different directions. I am no sooner done with changing a diaper when I'm getting the other one to the bathroom, then getting a snack, then a cup, then a jacket then..then..then...at times I feel like I'm just spinning on my heals in circles. These are often the times someone nearby will smile and sometimes give a little chuckle and say to me "looks like you have your hands full", and really...I do. But it's nothing bad. It gives me a little chuckle and makes me slow down for a few seconds even. It's just a weird convention that says you're a busy, attentive, doing good mama.

My boys are 5 and almost 3 as well and I get that comment fairly often, and always agree and never take offense, because it's true! I think people are just being nice and acknowledging the fact that 2 boys at this age are a lot to handle, especially compared to girls, from what I've heard since I don't have girls I don't know :)

Nope - I have one girl and when ever I see anyone with three kids close in age, I think - WOW, how does she do it? Sometimes I make a comment if it seems appropriate.

I think it's just cause 2 boys can be tough cause they are so active. Unless of course your kids are not well behaved - but you can be the only one to decide that (honestly).

It just means you are likely a busy mom.

It doesn't mean your boys are wild and out of control.

It's the equivalent of "nice day, huh?"

I think it is just people's way of "connecting" to others. I have 2 boys, four years apart, and I have gotten the comment. I just smile and say, "yes I do and I love every minute of it". My boys aren't out of control and crazy, but if it's just me and the 2 of them somewhere sometimes I do feel like I have my hands full :)

I go out with 3-6 kids on a regular basis and my kids are really good in public. I have many years of experience keeping them way. They really are just admiring you more than likely. I don't think they mean anything by it. Most people tell me how good mine are. But I also get the hands full comments.

Are they smiling and looking nice when they say it? People say that to me with just my one toddler - even when I don't feel stressed. I think it's a way they can comment or make small talk by saying "he keeps you busy!" or something of the like. I had never thought much of it beyond a fond sort of comment but now you have me wondering lol!

I hate when people make comments like this to me.

I have a 6, 4 and three year old.

My three year old has sensory issues...So, nine times outta ten I have him throwing a huge fit at some point.

I wish people could keep there mouths shut...Unless it is a mom who also has children hanging from her knee caps while trying to walk Target.

I guess though I too will try and offer a consoled look or a pat on the shoulder if I see a momma going through this at the store....It is hard to watch someone go through something you have been through.

I hate when older women makes comments on how I am not punishing enough...or I am being to hard on them...Talk about mixed signals...Do you want me to discipline them or caudal? Cause I am getting confused?!?

You can only do the best you can do.

You may have excited children. You would know if they were outta control.

You would feel stressed and anxious everytime you went to leave your house.

I get that all the time! I have 8 & 6 year old girls and a 4 month old boy. I never really heard it until my son was born. I usually go out with just Jim as the girls are in school and he is normally asleep or quietly looking around, and people still say it! Must be something about a buy that makes people think they must be trouble.

Don't read into it. Sleeping infants are providing that response so it must be a stereotype thing :)

I hear that all the time too - my kids are 6, 4 and 2. I think of it as whoever is saying it knows it's not easy. It isn't easy to go out with my kids, but I have to do it because it's "part of my job" as the SAHM to get all the errands done. I also get comments on how well behaved my kids are, so I figure some people just look at those of us with young kids with some empathy. :)

J.

Eh, I hear it all the time. As soon as people realize I have three girls, it's, "Wow you must have your hands full! Three girls!" The "wows" triple when they find out that one of my girls is special needs to boot and then they start adding the "So Sorry Head Tilt."

It's just something people say to fill space. It doesn't mean anything. It just means that they don't know what ELSE to say. And it means that if I want to have a real conversation and save the other person some egg on their face, I have to provide some real conversation starters.

Well that depends. Do they say it as child number one is knocking a glass jar off the shelf while child 2 is screaming at the top of his lungs that he was COOKIESSSSSS NOWWWWWWWW? or is it just as your walking thru a public area. Are the kids behaving or going crazy? I think 2 kids within a short amount of time would have anyones hands full. as the mom of 2 boys who are 15 months apart I can say that yes my hands were full. However they were way more full with the last one who came along 6 years later and came out of the womb with adhd lol

I have gotten it for 6 years. My kids are 8, 6, and 4. I think it's just people sympathizing with how much work kids are, even when they are being angels. What I really want to say to people when they say that to me is "Yes! You have no idea! My husband works 2 hours away from home, I work full-time, I am working on my MBA, my 8 year old is a competitive dancer that takes at a minimum 2 nights a week, both of my boys play football that takes 3-4 days per week, and on top of that we have the normal house hold chorse and errands to run. So yes, my hands are full, but not necessarily because of them, just because of life :o)."

Yes, people say that a lot. I think they just don't know what else to say. I just smile and say that yes, they are, and I'm so thankful. Little boys do have a reputation of being a handful. :)

I get that constantly too and my kids do great in public generally. My dad says it too. Drives me nuts, not sure why but it does. I hear you.

I think people who haven't had 2 boys think it would be overwhelming. I wouldn't read any more into it than that.

I do when I am out with my three kiddos' two girls and a boy, and my kids do pretty darn well behavior wise in the stores. I just politely stick out my hands and say "nope they are not full" I know kinda sarcastic but it gets old.

My girls are 3 and 5 and I get that too, even if I'm not with them so I don't think it the comment comes from them being out of control. Maybe it's the closeness in age, who knows.

I just got that remark an hour ago when I was at the grocery store...WITHOUT my kids. They were all in school at the time.(oh what a treat it is to saunter through the isles kid free!) The checker was making small talk with me and asked if I have kids. I told her 3 and their ages. She said "Wow..you have your hands full!!" I replied "Yes they are and I am loving it!!" We then continued to talk about our kids.

Soooo, people say it just to say it...kids or no kids in toe.

Don't take it personally...unless your kids are foaming at the mouth and their heads are spinning around in circles while yelling four letter words. People know that it is a ton of work to raise good kids and they are acknowledging that fact. Your hands are full while raising kids....take it as a compliment.

Good luck and best wishes!!