Anonymous wrote:I don't even have time to answer this question.

This is the answer. It's so much more busy I don't even know the right words to explain it.

Not meaning to sound snarky, but how do you define "busy"? There's more to do, and I have way less time to myself, but I'm not sure that I'd call my life busier, just maybe less relaxing.

I have approximately 1-2 hours per day every day to myself (after the kids go to bed). I have 3 kids and from the minute they wake up until the minute they go to bed I am on. I also work 40 hours a week. It is exhausting. Kids are 2, 5 and 7.

Definitely busier. It's hard to compare. Before, I was busy hanging out with friends, going to a yoga class. All optional stuff. Now, I have all this stuff I need to do for my house, family, and myself that I can mainly only cram in on the weekends. My mind is a constant to do list, scheduler, assigner. It's more exhausting.

I found going from 1 to 2 to be more of the same. I had my 2nd during COVID so at least I lost my work commute which freed up some time. But I have noticed that I have a lot less downtime now. Someone always needs a snack, has grown out of their clothes, has made a mess, has a school event they need something special for, has a birthday party to go to, needs to go to the doctor. The list goes on and on.

Like others, I now laugh at my pre-child self that thought I was busy. Sure, I had a very stressful job but other than that I was free as a bird.

From one to two kids did get busier, but it didn't feel as dramatic as from zero to 1 kid.

Anonymous wrote:I have 3. It’s laughable to even try to compare.

+1

Anonymous wrote:Busier. I used to get home from work at 7 (long commute). Now I have a shortish to average commute, but even getting home at 5:00, I'm behind.

also, I only have one kid, live a very adult-centered life and don't do organized activities. this is JUST the minimalist, need to work so kid is at daycare kind of schedule.

Busier. I used to get home from work at 7 (long commute). Now I have a shortish to average commute, but even getting home at 5:00, I'm behind.

I thought I was busy pre-kids. I also thought I was the perfect parent, but then I had kids.