how do you do it!!??

[missabc123]

all you guys with 3, 4 or more kids (or even 2), how do you do it!!???

I always wonder how. I'm a struggling single parent of one toddler and can't start to imagine having a second, let alone a 3rd or 4th.

Also why have you had larger families - by choice or unplanned?

Did you realise what you were letting yourselves in for?

Just curious (I salute you all!)... :)

[SoonToBeSix]

I have seven by choice although it was a surprise to have a twin pregnancy. I am very busy and our house is loud but in a good way.
Think it's different as a single parent though.
It is actually easier than I thought as dc amuse each other.

[missabc123]

wow; that's seriously impressive... just the one pregnancy / birth has totally taken it out of me so I just can't imagine having two, three four or like you say seven (!). Hope you have a supportive partner.

do you ever get any "me" time? I think that's what i missed most when having a little one. Getting a bit easier now he's 2.

[dicko1]

I have a three year old and naturally concieved 6 month old triplets. Never planned n a big brood but wouldnt change my crazy life x

[missabc123]

dicko - you must be busy as anything!! i hope you are coping ok. I found just the one baby too much...!

[sosix]

I have 4, all planned bar happy surprise dd1

No, I probably didn't know what I was letting myself in for. The broody hormones took over. Now I'm done and often feel like I'm on my knees. But they are ace and wouldn't change a thing!!

[missabc123]

sosix - congrats on getting this far! You're a superhero to me.

It seems there are those in life who can just deal with big families. I'm not sure I would be one of them. I honestly think I would go insane. One toddler drives me mental. Then again people say the second is a lot easier...!

Maybe it's that I was so used to "me-time" - that was the huge shock when i had a kid; on top of sleep deprivation; constant housework etc. Went mad. But sure it's nothing compared to 3,4,5 etc!! It broke me though (am LP which doesn't help).

I guess you have no choice but to battle through. Can't imagine what it's like if you get ill though, nightmare!!

[dicko1]

I do think its probably easier after the 1st. Everythings not so much a shock and my little three and pretty much entertained with each other or watching there brother charge up and down.

[sosix]

One toddler drives me mental.

Me too like you said being a lp is a different kettle of fish.

I do think you just kind of just get used to it, remember your only 2 years in except when you are ripping your hair out

[sosix]

Agree with dicko, probably is easier after first, well once you get used to splitting yourself in two.

[missabc123]

yeah, probably a lot to do with being a LP! Ex is pretty useless and rarely a help so could be something to do with it being sooo hard.

I'm sure it will get a bit easier. :) looking forward to age 3+.

maybe another one in a few years could be on the cards, need a willing partner first!! vowed never again to be a single parent to a second if I can avoid it....

I am still truly in awe of you all!

[chloeb2002]

I am chuckling abc123.. 4 dc. I was a lp with dc1. "Me time"??? Sorry but surely when you had dc you realised the from that point on for the next 18 years you don't have that? That was the way I still look at it! My me time is going to work! If I'm very lucky it's the once a year trip to the shops with no kids
It's not about being the right person for a large family, it's about accepting or wanting to have one. No me time for for nearly 28 years for me! But that's fine. If I get to do something for me from time to time.. That's great, in the mean time I love family time

[BeautifulLiar]

I have three young kids and plenty of me time!

Once a week they're all in nursery/school for the day (will increase this from September)

Every night from 7pm when they're all in bed

Whenever I want to go out with friends if DH is home he'll hold the fort...

I'd go insane if I didn't have this.

It can be done!!