So whats it like going from 2 to the magic number 3?

[MiMao]

Just wondered because we have planned to do just this later on this year.

Is it much different from 1 to 2?... I found the first year quite tricky

My friend said she did not notice much of a change from 2-3, the 3rd just seemed to fit in.

What about bath time? I bet that is noisy!

I am dreaming about Christmas mornings and three children running to see their gifts and all chasing each other in parks and all of us sitting around a table trying to get their word in

But whats the reality???

[Ledodgy]

I'm a new third time mum. I have a 4 year old dd who is in reception, a 2 year old ds1 and a 7 week old tommorrow ds2. It is hard in the beginning trying to divide yourself three ways but i'm just starting to get into some sort of routine and life feels slightly more in control again. I think it depends on the ages of your other two children as to how hard it will be and would definately make sure at least one of them is in school full time before you contemplate a third mind you then you have the porobelm with getting all three out int he morning and timing feeds etc but at least you only have two to cope with for the best part of a weekday. My two year old ds is also getting quite jealous especially when i'm feeding the baby even now he is bottlefed rather than breast.

I like you have happy visions of the future all sitting round joyfully at the dinner table etc and i'm sure eventually it will be like that.

[Ledodgy]

*problem

Oh yeah and your brain completley turns to mush after your third.

[Pidge]

[OneHandedTypist]

1=overwhelming, 2=How did I ever complain when I only had one?, 3=Constant noise, 4=headless chicken act!

[TartanKnickers]

No idea! Went from 0-2, then 2-4, then 5 LOL

[MiMao]

tartanknickers - what oh my god!!! - wow!

When you hear a mum moan about having one you must really get think they have not got a clue

Two sets of twins???

What are their ages?

Well my two oldest would be five and two.

My oldest is an angel and a little mother herself so I know she would be almost 6 so would be a great hand with helping me. My two year old is also very gentle. They are both well behaved and get on great so I guess their bond would grow through the early weeks of me neglecting them

I can just imagine the early weeks being hell with making dinners with two hungry mouths waiting and a baby crying and then the bath time!!! Argh!I really hate the bit were you take them out and dry them, my two think its funny to run around the house naked whilst I am begging them back to the bathroom to get dressed... oh my! I can see it wont be easy!

But I case it will all pay off when we go on our camping holidays in a few years to come and they are all playing together and having little adventures.

[TartanKnickers]

LOL.

The first two (b/g) are 6, the next two (id boys) are 4 and the wee lad is 2.5.

It's very noisy, but great fun.

Wine is a wondeful thing!

[ChaCha]

LOL at OneHandedTypist Can only nod head at one and two though, have a 1 year old, 2 year old and number 3 due in the summer. Don't even want to think about it. Has got to better than 2 toddlers and pregnancy though....hasn't it? HASN'T IT?....yes?

[3andnomore]

I think it really depends on so many factors...but for what it's worth here is my personal experience on this matter.
I found the year after having my first one extrememly difficult, and in the end we ended up with a larger agegap as originally planned. There are 6 1/2 years between ds1 and 2. This meant that for me personally the transition from 1 to 2 was very easy and smooth, helped by the fact that ds2 was a wonderful little Baby (making up for it all now,lol)...well, we then decided on having another child and ds3 arrived when ds2 was 21 month old...the pg I found very tough, as I was so tired and looking after a superactive toddler and pg just didn't agree all that well with me. I didn't really enjoy my 3. pg much, although I didn't have any medical problems or anything, just was to knackered to take much notice, I suppose.
I struggled very much for at least the first year, if not longer actually, with having 3 children, not helped by ds3's personality...he is very sensitive and was crying mcuh of his first year and only really settled properly down this past year (he will be 4 in the summer)....! If I had known beforehand how tings would turn out, I probably wouldn't have had a 3. child...but of course, I wouldn't want to miss out on ds 3 now, neither, iykwim...

I do know plenty of people though that have a completely different experience then I have...

[sparklesandwine]

tbh i found the 1-2 much harder than 2-3, its also not much different financially either imo

the reason i found it easier was that DS1 was at school i had a good routine and DS2 just had to fit into that, i couldn't take my time/be late as i had to be places at specific times

plus your just so much more relaxed and can really enjoy it, instead of being scared about what they are doing/are they doing it right/am i doing it right/etc (i did anyway!) you know what to expect even more and get excited about hing more - well i do anyway

[popsycal]

just peeping in for same reasons as Pidge....

[castille]

We have a big gap (6.5 years) between DD2 and DS, so I'm not sure my experience is relevant. But the family dynamics are great now - I like the fact that the family isn't so "perfectly square" IYSWIM. Things are much more complicated, but on the whole it's a better life. The girls totally adore their baby brother and I love watching them all together.

Having read 3andnomore's post I'll have to add that the situation is helped by DS's easy personality...

[Fennel]

Our experience of 3 close together was that it was harder than 2, definitely. Much more so. but it's gradually got easier and now dd3 is 3 going on 4 they are at that stage people are talking about when they all play together for long periods and they enjoy the same games and activities and we can all go out for a bike ride or a walk, they do all chase each other in parks, etc.

[StressedAndHarrassedMama]

I also found 1-2 much harder to cope with than 2-3. Ds just fitted in with our routine especially as dd1 was in full time school.

It is manic and bloody hard work but its lots of fun and I really do enjoy it (even when I'm knackared)

I always wanted 4 but I'm still waiting for that 'I want another baby NOW' feeling. Definately wouldn't say no to another

[Pidge]

Hi popsycal!!! This number 3 on my part has been planned for ages, talked about even before number 2 was born, and excitedly anticipated. But there are still moments when I think how do people do it!

[pagwatch]

having 3 was the best decision we ever ever made.
It is busier and my crappy organisational skills are severely challenged by the three of them being at different schools. But omg - how fantabulous.
Love it love it love it !.
And bear in mind that I am saying that during half term !.
Too old to have any more or would actually be tempted !

[Washersaurus]

So has anyone braved having 3 under 4? (just curious - honestly )

[pagwatch]

i should get my mum to post.
she had 8 children in under 10 years - with no twins or multiple births.
She had 5 in 5 years to start with ( terry nappies and no washing machine ) AND she looks fantastic today

[TheDuchessOfNorksBride]

I had 3 under 3 (no twins and absolutely our choice)! The very new baby stage is tough because they take up so much time, particularly if you have a marathon b/feeder but it all sorts it's self out quite quickly.

It doesn't take that long to re-jig your routines - ie. new baby has to tag along on existing bedtime routine for toddlers and then goes to bed last. When it stops howling in it's cot you can switch it so that new baby goes to bed first.

Bathtime - 2 toddlers in bath and baby in baby-bath until it learns not to poo in the water . Then they all go into together until too big and then by rota (or whoever is dirtiest).

Learning the order in which to safely get them in and out of the car is worth some thought.

And they should get on really well as they grow up together.

It really is OK. Or I wouldn't be about to have 4 under 6.

[ChaCha]

DuchessofNorks - Is good to hear. I will have 3 under 3 this summer - it's the going out in pram that i'm thinking about - DS1 still likes to sit down/sleep when tired from walking. Am looking into buggy boards, have heard good and bad about them.

Do your 3 play happily together?

[TheDuchessOfNorksBride]

My 3 play brilliantly together most of the time (they are now 3, 4 & 6). They do argue sometimes but they don't get really nasty with each other and rarely hit. . It seems to have made them more independent too, I can MN happily whilst they make their own games up...!

[NorthernLurker]

I love having three - and I planned quite a big gap - girls were 9 and 6 when dd3 arrived. I say planned because she was but a lot of people assumed otherwise - and told us so! Anyway - it is noisy - and we do need to move house - but it has been so lovely watching the 'big' girls with the baby - and I know it will continue to be fascinating. The two girls I had are amazing and as a family everything was lovely before - but had we not gone for it I think I would always have felt 'unfinished' - now I'm finished!!

[Fennel]

I had 3 in 4 years - that's why I go to work so enthusiastically