The Real Working Mom

Am I offering my second child the same educational stimulations as my first?

What a hard question for a parent to have to ask themselves, but it's an incredibly honest one with a very hard answer to hear. My answer would be "no." With my first child I had time to make sure we set aside time to learn colors, numbers, alphabet, and so on. He very rarely watched television except for educational shows only and even then I limited the time he spent watching it.

3 1/2 years later arrived our 2nd son, along with a job change, and an increased calendar activity for the entire family. From Day 1, I feel like I haven't been able to give him the attention that I gave our first child (which I understand is normal given the circumstances), but is it acceptable? My poor little guy has been running from Pre-K activities, to karate, to baseball since he was 1 week old (he's now 19mo). He watches much more television than my older son at his age, and even knows the "Spongebob Squarepants" theme song! He has learned how to count to 3, by hearing my use of the "I'm only going to count to 3" threat with our oldest son! Educational....maybe in it's own sense! LOL!

I know in my heart that a lot of parents face this with subsequent children, but does it get any easier on your conscience? Children are obviously able to make up for this lack on the parents part because I am a middle child and I turned out just fine. Thank goodness for these wonderful teachers at our schools :)

And my next question is.....what happens with child #3 or #4? By that time the child will be teaching themselves how to change their own diaper! LOL!