Whose idea was it to have 3 kids anyway?!

The dichotomy between two children and three or more increases exponentially with each child. Two children: easy peasy, one parent takes one child, the other parent takes the other child. An easy and efficient way to get one on one time with each child. Three children or more it's not so easy. With each subsequent child it's even harder to find time to spend one on one. So what happens? Does one child suffer more? Is that where the "middle child" syndrome comes in? And even more complicated, what happens if two of them are at the exact same developmental stage? Enter: twins. I have to admit, more than Nicholas, the twins entertain themselves beautifully. It is the nature of twins to be their best friend, which is why it becomes complicated when they need to be separated. Even further, to separate them and pair one up with a sibling of the opposite sex (i.e., Nicholas) or pair one up with a sibling that is far more mature with more, dare I say, sophisticated, interests presents an even more convoluted situation. Nicholas gets frustrated because Jackson is cramping his style or my sweet, cute, girly, dainty, delicate, teeny, tiny Emma ends up running around the house screaming like a banshee "shooting bad guys." So really? Who is my middle child? Technically, it's Emma, but in reality I sort of think it's Nicholas. Because Lord knows, in a house full of boys, the daughter would NEVER be the middle child. Jackson naturally requires more attention because of his age. We have tried to encourage Nicholas to be self-sufficient and have age-appropriate responsibilities, but still ...

I think it is a mother's nature is to preoccupy herself and question the decisions she makes. I constantly wonder if the kids are getting enough of my individual attention. Forrest never worries (about most things. unless it's a recent compulsion. at which point he obsesses and drives me absolutely batty. like now. why can't he just wait until closer to our move date? why do we have to commit to a house RIGHT THIS INSTANT?! i digress ...). His answer is always, "eh, they're fine. they're happy. we do our best." I truly believe that we are. Our kids are adaptable, friendly, outgoing and they seem happy. So that counts for something, right?