Ok Ladies... How Is It Having 3 Kids?

If it is any consolation I have an 8 yr old, 3.5 yr old, and we are trying for # 3!!! I am scared, and overwhelmed at the thought of another person in the house. Mostly I am SO EXCITED though!

Your house will be full of so much love and in about 6 years you will be eating Mickey D's and ChickFilA in the car every night. There will be french fries everywhere, and ketchup on the ceiling.
You will think Can I have anything nice? Can I have anything clean for more than an hour? Can I pee in peace, PLEASE?!??
Then when they all graduate and move away you will cry.
Having more than two is nuts at times. You do feel like you have lost your head.
Ask if a neighbor girl can come over after the baby gets here to help out, like a mamas helper. It will be a lifesaver. I had a 15 yo come help after number 4.
Congratulations on the newest bundle of joy. I hope hubby is able to find some employment soon.

Don't have a clue, yet. I am currently expecting #3 who was a big surprise to us. I am trusting that this is all in God's plan for our family. Don't sweat the small stuff. If you are pregnant then you will find a way to make it work for your family.

20 months ago, my husband lost his job (only income) 2 weeks after we found out we were pregnant with our third, Moved halfway across the country, 4 mo later he found a job, We make less then before, I was extremely sick with my pregnancies, (hospitalized, lived off of IV fluids) was hospitalized 5 times after delivering. We made it through it. and now we have a beautify 11mo old girl. Life well you just kinds adjust, I cannot imagine life without my three kids. Some days are a challenge but it happened with just two kids also. In fact when my oldests starts full day kindergarten next year I don't know what I am going to do with just two kids at home during the day! CRAZY!

I am dealiong with nearly the same scenario - number 3 is about 6 weeks old, big brother is 18m and big sister is 3.5YO.

Honestly, right now, the baby is not difficult, it is the siblings, but given their ages, with or without the baby, I think I'd still be dealing with the same issues - a bit of fighting, cabin fever from the weather, toys strewn across the living room, etc.

I can only imagine what things will be like in a few months when EVERYONE is mobile! LOL. I just keep in mind that in six months each of them will be in another (hopefully more mature) stage.

I look forward to other posters take.
~C.

CRAZY. In a good way. We have three kids aged 5, 3, and 1. I feel overloaded and overwhelmed about 99 percent of the time, but I just roll with the punches. We don't have a ton of money. No disposable income, really. I've had to stop taking the kids to the doctor for every little thing because its just too expensive even though we have insurance. You'll be okay. Babies don't really need as much as retailers try to tell us they do. Try to live as economically as possible and hopefully your husband can find another job. As far as the kids - they'll love another kid to play with. Sure, they'll take turns feeling like they: aren't being treated fairly, parents love the other kids more, birthday presents weren't as big as their siblings, etc. They know this isn't really true and for the most part, they love each other.

Yes, it was overwhelming for me at times in the beginning. What helped me get through it was all the help I had. My DH was fabulous, and helped with everything. He took several weeks off to help me (I had a c-section-some women recover fairly quickly from them, but I do not).
My mother had my children over to her house for a few days (she lives 2 hrs away, so that was the easiest way for her to help- and it really did- plus the kids loved being doted on for a few days).
My MIL helped watch the kids when we needed a couple hours to nap to stay sane. She also watched the kids if I had to take the baby for a doctor appointment or she would pick things up for us when we needed something we forgot to buy.
In the beginning the thing that helps the most is help. If your DH can't take much time off from a new job, arrange for family and friends to help you however they can (babysitting, running errands, making meals, cleaning) Also, think of other people you know. Do you have an empty nester in the neighborhood or church that would love to even come to take care of the baby for a while so that you can take a shower or get dinner going? I always found dinner time to be the hardest time of day.
These are all things you have plenty of time to think about IF you are pregnant. There were a couple of times I was sure I was pregnant, and I turned out not to be- so don't panic yet. I felt very overwhelmed when I found out I was having my 4th- so I get what you're feeling- but now I can't imagine my life without my DD :) She makes me laugh every day! Yes, I won't lie, there were times it was hard, but it gets easier. There's definately an adjustment period. You get through it .
Blessings :)

I couldn't imagine life without my 3! I don't see any issues I wasn't dealing with when I only had 2 to be honest. They just have more ways to split me in LOL Add that we also have 4 cats, one that's only 9 months and still into everything and I feel like I'm spinning on my heal non-stop. We have not said a complete and honest NO to 4 so I guess it doesn't all suck ;)
Mine are 10,7 & 22 months in a few days. I do have an advantage that there is a few years between my kids so they can help when I really need them to, but the older 2 don't always *want* to.
Resale shops are wonderful places to get the things you need for baby that you don't have or have worn out from your others. If you shop at Costco their store brand diapers are wonderful and priced really good. We use those on my youngest now and have most of her life. Their baby wipes are really good too and a great price. They have coupons all the time that make them priced even better.

Mine are spaced soooo far apart...I have a 15 year old, a 10 year old and a 3 and a half year old. My third was No way in the world planned = ) He is a joy and we cannot imagine our lives without him, absolutely no regrets...
The three kids are close, no one is left out, and yes money is tight but we always make a way...I was always told If you wait to have kids until you can afford them , you will never have children.
I am one of those people that believe everything happens for a reason. I know my sister was in the same boat, she had Zero plans for a third child, she had a 7 year old who is Autistic and a 4 year old that has Asperger's and although she had wanted 3 she had thought it would be selfish to have another...she now has a 1 year old son who was an oopsy and she too says she cannot imagine their lives without him in it = )
Hang in there, it will be crazy and sometimes you will feel overwhelmed it is just part of Motherhood these days I think! But it will be great and amazing and well, it will feel like your family is complete = )
Congrats!

One nice thing is you have plenty of time to figure things out IF you are having a third. :)

We've only had our third around for 3 1/2 weeks, and I am exhausted and it is difficult, but the older boys love having a baby brother so much and other than normal craziness I think things are pretty smooth. It is hard at first just because your body is recovering from pregnancy and you can't do as much as you're used to. My husband gave the baby his first bottle yesterday though so I'm planning on having a few "dates" with my older boys in the next week or so to get some more time in with them. I do not think I will be going to the grocery store without my husband for a while, so that is a change. We either go as individuals or as a family. The diapers would be the only major additional expense I would imagine, at least at first. Breastmilk is free and if you have baby clothes and equipment and health insurance you should be fine for a while.

I don't know how much "work" your girls are, but if they are even fractionally more calm than my two older boys, it should be rather easy with a third. My house feels like a rodeo on a good day. Good luck!

[Oh, and Margie M. is right! By the time my husband got home the other night I begged him to let me use the upstairs bathroom completely alone. After having to use the toilet with the baby in one arm while I untied my 4-year-olds shoelaces with the other hand and tried to guide my toddler away from the trash with my foot, I was desperate for some peace in there! My 4-year-old even asked me in the middle of that "mommy, why do you have two arms?"]

Siblings are the greatest gift you can give your children! This coming from a frenzied mom of 4 (ages 4 and under). :) I'll be honest and tell you that the transition from 2 to 3 was pretty tough, but with support and love, it can be done. I've actually found that the older ones are so helpful with the new babies. If for nothing but to entertain them during a diaper change or while I run to the bathroom. My older ones love to sit and coo at their new baby sister or brother. Life with children can be hectic, but it will also be the greatest joy of your life. Congratulations if your intuition is correct.

I am not an overly religious person, but God won't give you any more than you can handle....You will find time and love for this child and it is a blessing like no other. Just relax and take it day by day

It will be super crazy for a while. You will be in a fog for some time & hopefully won't remember much :) .......my kids were a little closer in age than yours might be if you are pregnant, so I tell you this from experience. I hope you have family around & an extra helpful DH. I have no family, in-laws didn't care to help & DH works a lot & works really far. My kids are now 3, 5, & 6. It is getting easier as I am on them like white on rice with discipline.

Best wishes that things go the way you wish.

I would say it's not so much a feeling of "overloaded" (I could do that with my first two!). I would give you fair warning that with 3 the kids will outnumber you and your husband :)

Most of the early years, my husband and I did a lot of taking turns. Sometimes, I would eat first, the kids, then my husband; other times, he would eat first, then the kids, and finally me. LOL

Now, with a teen, a tween, and the third under 10, there are times I wish there were more hours in the day so I could spend more time with each! But then I think that happens no matter how many kids you have! They each bring a special joy.

Oh, somehow I ended up with sole use of the master bath! My husband thinks the water in the shower there is too wimpy so he showers upstairs. Most of the time I have a place to "retreat" to and quite a blessing sometimes.

Don't discount how much your husband could help out, if he is amenable to being Mr Mom some. It sure helps reduce child care costs!

I wish the best of luck to you and your loved ones!

Anything that is worth it is going to be hard. But the benefits always out weigh the negatives. Just remember, it's all in what you choose to focus on. Will you focus on how tired and busy you are and how little money you have or will you focus on how much more laughter there will be in the house, how much more your kids will learn about sharing and appreciating what they have instead of what they don't have, etc.?

Don't be worried, you will make it work.

I have three, and I think two is better, but obviously I wouldn't change a thing. One does (did) often get left out.

You'll know tomorrow.

Well, worrying won't do you any good. You have it in you to care for 2 children, I'm sure you can do fine with 3. I'm about to have my 4th. Yeah, it's busy. You cannot spend equal time with each child. Please do not allow anyone to convince you otherwise. I'm not saying they get left out, but you just learn to adapt when you are a larger family and you cannot beat yourself up because you are not able to spend equal time with each child. It will never happen. Your children are very young and very close in age. Sibling rivalry is bound to happen. My two oldest are 2 1/2 years apart and they fight, oh, they fight! The youngest is 4 and he gets sucked into his big sisters drama and of course since he's a boy, he's a bit more aggressive about it. The only thing I feel overloaded with is the laundry and the messes they tend to leave behind but I am consistent with them and make sure they do what I expect. The best I can offer is that you just learn to adapt to new routines as your family grows. And do the best you can. You can hope for nothing less.

I am 8 wks pregs with baby 3, which was a surprise also, so I have really enjoyed reading your responses! My baby is only 14 months and I just weaned him a couple months ago, so I basically got pregs right after weaning him which was not in the plans! I get a little overwhelmed thinking of it all too, how will I make it work with three kids 4 and under, guess I will figure it out! I think the main thing I am over is not asking for help. I am so tired right now with my two and being pregnant that my mom is coming over today to help me fold laundry, she told me to wash it all and she would help me fold and put away, I said, ok! In the past I would have tried to do it all. This time anybody who offers anything gets a great big "yes! and thank you!" I don't have time to play super mom anymore :D Good luck if you are, I am in the same boat! But I am excited, I just decided to be bc the baby is coming you know? Take care!