What Helped You Transition from 2 to 3 Kids?

Nothing to worry about things just seem to fall into place. Does a Mom ever have enough energy and time to balance evrybody anyway lol! I have three and there is 7 yrs between my oldest and 5 yrs between my middle and baby. It was good for about the first yr then my daughter the "middle" child started showing signs of jealousy. Still shows signs but I try to do what I can with her, now that the baby is three it is not so bad, I have time to spend with her. My Mom had 8 kids I always ask her how did you do it and she said I just did. You have to adjust to what you are given. She is 79 now and they still travel back and forth from FLA to MI every summer. She still has the energy to do what needs to be done:) Enjoy them as much as you can and good luck with everything!

Hi N.
Welcome to the world of 3 children. I have 3 fairly young ones, and not to scare you, but I actually found it more difficult going from 2 to 3 than, 1 to 2. I feel like I'm constantly refereeing fights (but my oldest is only 3&1/2). With 2, you obviously have the juggling act down, so that part should be pretty smooth. I guess I just felt a little more spread thin, and juggling 3 balls is more difficult than 2. What I find most difficult besides lack of sleep, is the fact you will most likely have zero time for yourself. I know, I'm all doom and gloom. It really is worth it though. Bonus, your older kids can fetch things for you when you are tied up! Once you get through the newborn stage and get a good routine going, things get much easier. Just try not to do it all, get help if you can, if not, some things can wait until tomorrow. And of course, let the other 2 get involved helping you with baby. Good luck, you can do it!

Hello N., This is a hard one. My situation is a little different since one of mine is a teen. However, I found that he wasn't getting the time that he deserved. I would say that the best thing that you can do is let the little things that don't matter, go. Set up a cleaning schedule so that you don't feel stresed about it, have the kids pick up their own stuff (even my 20 month old responds to a clean up time song we made up and will put his hot wheels back in the box). The older one can help you cook, set the table, and unload the dishwasher (this will be alone time with him/her, since it's something the very little ones aren't doing with you.

You can include them in helping to take care of the baby, they can be in charge of handing you wipes and diapers, or talking quietly to baby while you change the diaper. You can read to the two older ones when you are nursing the baby.

They might need less "alone" time with you than you think, just make sure that you leave the baby with hubby and go outside and make a snowman with them, or color, etc. When you are feeling really overwhelmed with the house and the baby, etc, just give up and sit down and play with the older 2, it will be a breath of fresh air for all of you.

Don't forget to take care of yourself too. Do the grocery shopping when your spouse is around so you can go alone, stop at the coffee shop and read for a hour, while you are out. Once a week, go spend time wiht a friend (I joined a knitting club, and now for 2 hours every week, I am with other women, talking about life, I didn't know how to knit when I joined, they will teach you and be happy to do it).

God Bless.

I am so glad we had 3 kids. While you'll never feel like you have enough time or energy, the things your children will learn about sharing (your time, your energy, etc) is invaluable. You will see it as they enter school compared to only children and you'll see it as they enter the workplace. My oldest was just 5 when I had my third child. I set the expectation that everybody needs to help. That could be getting a blanket, picking up their toys, whatever. Let the older children help as much as you can. This take some time to "train" them, but in the long run it will be well worth it. I didn't buy extra gifts or anything when a baby was born and I don't think it is necessary. They are the big brother or big sister and that is a gift in itself.

Hi N. - Going from two to three is a lot easier than going from one to two. You'll figure out a way to make it all work. My older two are 20 months apart and my youngest is 5 years younger than my middle son. The older two did really well entertaining themselves when I nursed and they loved helping with diaper changes and feedings when we started solid foods. I taught the older two to pick up their toys daily and left the household chores and laundry for Saturday's when their dad was home to help. Their dad helped me cook and clean the kitchen during the week, too. I guarantee it will all fall into place for you just don't push yourself too much. When your youngest is napping that's the time to spend with your older two doing things you might not be able to do if your infant is in your arms. We made good use of a bouncy chair and a swing, too. When the baby was awake it would be time to read books or watch a video. Rest when you can and remind yourself to pick your battles. If something comes up that isn't a really big deal, like picking up toys, let it slide for awhile. It will eventually get done. Congrats! S.

My third child came when i got married and my husband had a 3 year old son. my kids are 8 and 11. I dont think it matters at all how the 3rd one comes into the picture, just that they are in the picture. As a mom you will always find the time and energy for everyone and everything. Its almost like it was implanted in us. We dont know how we do it, we just do it. My friends ask me all the time how i manage a daycare and still do the things i do with all my kids, I tell them I do it because i have to. I just do it. Good luck and God Bless.

M.

Going from 2 to 3 was big for me. I didn't really make a ton of adjustments going from 1 to 2, but boy did that change! I had to slow down on my business (direct sales) and learn to live with a cluttered house. My children are close together in age, so I had to learn to juggle in alone time with each of them. After you have your daughter, you will find the new "rhythm" of your family. Keep a good planning system, so you don't forget anything, learn to let the little things slide, and enjoy every minute of your kids! They are only this young once, and in a blink of an eye, they will be off on their own. Some days will be really hard, but others will be totally worth it!

Good Luck!

Honestly, transitioning to 2 kids was harder than transitioning to 3. If you already have 2 kids then you know how to balance your time between the two. It come easier than you think. It's was the finances that I noticed a dip in with the third kid! lol

If you survived 2, 3 is not a problem. the other two seem to keep each other busy while you can tend to the baby. I have 3 boys. The youngest is 18 and ready to leave for Air Force boot camp.
I'm here to tell the tale!

But really, you do your best by your kids. None of us are perfect and there are ups and downs and grey hairs. But you love them. Just be there for them; learn what they're like.

The best advice I can give is to make sure that the middle child doesn't get left out. I had three, two girls and a boy. I tried to be fair, but when my middle daughter grew up, she began acting out with bad behavior, now that she is an adult she tells me that she felt I gave more attetion to the first born and the baby. Congrats!!

N., hello, yes the transition from one to two, was big, from two to three was just as great, take one day at a time, enjoy each and every moment, yes your energy is alot less, and its a bit harder, but by now you have learned to take care of mom too, but once you have mastered three kids, any and all is possible, i have enjoyed raising my three boys, and was really hoping for that girl, but life took me on a different path, any way, i would not trade the love and experience for anything, just do what you normally do and take your time, and enjoy life, one thing now that they are teens, and older i miss knowhing stuff about number 3, you tend to take less pictures and have so much more to do , you dont have the memory for 3 as you did maybe one or two, keep a camera ready , take the pictures, video them, enjoy them, you will have less enenergy, but it has its rewards, just strive to be a happy healthy family , and enjoy D. s

Hi N.!

I hop eyou have an easy (!) labor & delivery!

For me, the transition from 2 to 3 was not as hard as athe one forn 1 to 2. The other 2 can entertain each other whiole you spend time with the newborn, and as the others have said, you can make them feel needed by letting them assist you. Watch out for spending less time with the middle child, pay attention to that. The baby will need your attention, and the older one will be the big helper ( I don't know their ages), so the middle one is usually the one that will seek out the attention. I planned everything in advance that I could, paid the bills one month early (if possible), had meals planned for a week or so, and if help is offered, take it. I had all of mine 2 years apart, so things like errands were really difficult, if you can have plan for your other kids to have playdates soyou can be with the baby only for errands, that helps. It is a little harder at first to orchestrate everything, I think because it is a change, but give yourself a couple of months and you will get the hang of it. Most important, allow yourself to heal from delivery, and take it easy. Let things go. The kids will only want to spedn time with you watching a dvd, reading a book, coloring, easy one-on-one things. Congratulations again!