Flats, stairs and lots of small children!

[limamummy]

Hi, ive just joined mumsnet, I have just found out that I am expecting my 4th child which im delighted about. Anyway, my question is how do other mums of large families manage up and down stairs with lots of children? I have a 4, 3 and 1 year old. I live on the third floor and find it very difficult managing up and down flat stairs with all the children and the buggy. I have no idea how i am going to manage it with 4. Anyone else have the same problem?

Thanks

[idobelieveinfairies]

I did, i have 2 lots of stairs to climb before getting to my front door, we live in a 5 bed maisonette with 2 flats underneath us.

It was a task getting all children up safely, however my eldest twins were 3 when 2nd set of twins were born, so they were ok on the stairs as long as there was no fighting!

Once we had got up the first set of stairs (outside) we got in the communal door. Twins would be in pram or car-seats and left them there whilst i took others up and unlocked door, got them in, older children watched them, closed door and then went down for twin 1 and then twin 2 (or carried both car-seats if thats when they were in and then went down for pram.

Our parking is in a a different street too so it was a case of getting them out of the car and into pram..walking round to house...taking wheel off buggy to get it through the main door and then the stairs.

It was a hassle, but just got on with it.

Good Luck (and think of the work-out you will get)

[limamummy]

Thank you very much for your reply. I guess it is just a case of getting on with it, where there is a will there is a way! I guess once the children are older it will be a lot easier too. Ive been applying for a house on the ground floor so hopefully I will be lucky and be offered one before the baby is born.

[lalalonglegs]

I live in a maisonette with steps straight in from the front door (although only one flight) so nowhere to leave pushchairs/bikes/scooters etc. It is a pain, tbh, but it is manageable - my children were 2 and a few months when we moved here and we have since had a third who is now 12mo. The other two can manage the stairs as your older ones no doubt can and so you only really have to worry about your third child once you have your next baby. I would suggest a sling for as long as possible by which time, hopefully, number 3 will be walking confidently.

If I have pushchair and a lot of shopping/bikes etc, I leave two of the children outside and get the stuff in in shifts. Despite our terrible climate, I have never had to leave them standing in the pouring rain while I haul everything upstairs.

I'm sure it will be fine and congratulations on your pregnancy.

[limamummy]

Yes thanks for the advice. I think the sling is a good idea , I hadnt thought of that actually. All the people I know with large families have homes on the ground floor which is why I decided to post a thread on mumsnet to see if anyone else had the obstacle of stairs.