3 is doable, right??

[clemette]

Unexpectedly we have found out we are having number three. This was never part of the plan (I am a big planner).
Can anyone tell me it is fine? Does anyone happily combine three with working?
Am excited but very, very anxious...

(DD will be 4.5, and DS will be nearly two when the next one is due).

[jeminthecity]

Of course it is do-able laiddee!
I remember beong in the same boat as it were, due to the progesterone-only pill.

Tis fab 5 years down the line!!

[BibiThree]

Yes it is do-able. I had twins when dd was 2.9, now they are 4 and 19m and I have survived thus far.

Lots of hard work, but lots of fun too. You will be fine m'dear!

[pigletpants]

It had better had be

I am in the same situation and am planning to work full time too...

[clemette]

Thanks (almost) all x

[clemette]

Having a serious wobble now ...

[strictmumof3]

3 is fine, everyone will stop you and tell you it must be hard work, but honestly it just takes a little extra organising. My DS was 4 and DS was 2.5. It is great because they all play together (DS2 is now 10ms) and happily holds a light saber to join it. You will have a good age gap - well planned accident!

[strictmumof3]

And congratulations

[anchovies]

Congratulations! Same age gaps here and once I got over the shock of expecting number 3 (and I was seriously shocked!) it all worked out fabulously. DD is now almost 6 months old and she has been so easy, I have enjoyed (almost!) every minute of it. Life is becoming easy again and I am I so pleased we had number 3!

[PinkTulips]

congratulations

am only 3 weeks in with ds2 and have a dd(4) and ds1(2.5) but despite the fact that he's caused me more panic and worry in his short life than the older 2 ever have i'm so happy with 3.

the school run seems to be going ok.... oddly i seem to be more efficient with 3 than i was with 2 and a bump!

car doesn't really fit 3 seats but if you do them in the right sequence and slam the door quite hard they all fit in there and we've just paid off the car loan so we're taking a break for a few months and will get a bigger car in a few months when he needs to move to a ff seat.

the older 2 adore him and [touch wood] so far we've had no jealousy or bad behaviour

am finding i'm so much more relaxed and confidant a a mother this time round i'm enjoying the newborn stage so much more. there's a differane to how you behave with the baby when you know it's your last.... i'm even savouring those cross little newborn shouts and his need to be up with me constantly because i know it's the last time i'll ever be so completely needed by someone.

lord knows what it'll be like when he's a cheeky, naughty toddler but so far i'm loving having 3 and coping remarkably well.

[clemette]

Thanks everyone. I suspect it is just going to take me while to get my head around it ...

[muppetgirl]

Good God I hope so as I'm currently prgt with ds 3!

I just keep thinking how will I cope with 3 boys??????!?!?!??!?!

[popsycal]

I was in yoour situation this time last year. Best 'mistake' we ever made!
Three is totally doable and particularly wonderfu

[popsycal]

ditto waht pink tulips says about school runa d enjoying the newborn stage
I really dreaded the newborn/baby stag but he is such a joy

[popsycal]

muppetgirl - 3 boys is wonderful

[LynetteScavo]

It's doable.

For the first year of having 3 I only responded to imediate needs. If someone was hungry I fed them. If someone needed a wee, I took them, if a nappy needed changing I changed it. After a year I found I was finally able to plan atleast 24 hours in advance. 3.5 years on I work PT, and it is more than doable.

Look, I can even Mumsnet while DH puts them to bed.

[DanJARMouse]

3 is fine......

Hard work with 3 under 5, but it is doable. Im starting to find it a little easier now they are 4.7yrs, 3.5yrs and 15mnths.

Cant say about working.... Im a SAHM.

[Nemoandthefishes]

completely fine and congrates.
I had my third when Ds was 3.2yrs and DD1 was 12mths. Now expecting no.4 DS will be 5.7yrs,dd13.5yrs and dd2 2.5yrs.
I think it is always a shock to the system when you are pg and you do wonder how you will cope..the amazing thing is you just do. there will be marvellous days and crap days but thats the same whether you have 1,10 or none.

[popsycal]

oh i work 2 days a week (when I go back)

[thatsnotmymonster]

I have 3 planned dc's. DS will be 4 in a couple of weeks, DD1 is 2.5 and DD2 is 10mths.

She is the happiest little thing in the world. I am pretty organised now tho am usually a few minutes late for nursery drop off. I am a SAHM atm though.

The 3 of them love each other so much it's gorgeous to see and ds can be so helpful!

It's great!

[WilfSell]

Do you want my honest answer?

Of course it is possible, but it is tough, especially the working with 3 bit. And the dynamic changes in the family. We both work full-time and it is hard work prioritising, getting everyone out of the door, coping when one or more is ill (this is the hardest bit currently). The house is a wreck, we have very little sleep or time to ourselves, either individually or as a couple. Funnily enough, all the willing helpers who'd have two over for the night, suddenly disappear into the background with number 3 .

Both the older boys were besotted with DS3 when he arrived. After 3-4 months, the jealousy kicked in and DS1 hated DS2, and DS2 hated DS3. Still now, 18m later, there is LOTS of jealousy and sibling rivalry and we're probably too damned knackered to give them all the attention they need.

If I felt I wouldn't be exploited in my job by going part-time, I would do it like a shot. On the other hand, work can sometimes be a welcome break. I think it will get easier when there are fewer broken nights, illnesses and nappies.

And we will have to buy a new car at some point in the next couple of years to fit them all in with proper carseats. And we will never go on holiday abroad again apparently.

But - here's the thing - I wouldn't change it for anything. I have tribe of little boys who are marvellous and cute and smart and funny and lovely and they get 'good enough' rather than perfect parenting and housework.

We can also afford a cleaner and have no commute to work/school/nursery and have good childcare. If either of us were not 100% parents or we had really long hours out of the house we just couldn't do it...

[clemette]

Thank you - honesty is good. It is nice to hear that, though it can be tough, it might not be as tough as I am imagining ...

[jessia]

Hi Clemette,

I'm another one in your situation - 6 wks or so preg w no. 3 (also unplanned)... ANd we also both work full time (though I am WAHM mum, with an office in the house, so am a bit more flexible). Come on, it's got to be doable... (please?!)

I have to say I'm so pleased, it's DH that's having trouble getting his head round it - he soooo did not want another one, but even he is slowly coming round to the fact that while it might not have been planned, it probably won't be the end of the world.

I know this is absolutely absolutely my last (haha) so I am savouring every minute of it and plan to enjoy all the newborn bits and even the backbreaking 9-15mth stage when you're bent double all the time because they've done crawling and want to walk now but can't yet...

I'm a bit worried about jealousy, but DD1 (5) and DD2 (3.5) are really close, so I'm hoping they will find support in each other when Mum is busy bfing. Also they are baby mad, both of them, so am hoping to have lots of help!

Good luck, be easy on yourself for now. How is your DH supporting you? Mine virtually didn't speak to me for nearly a week, but we had a heart to heart after that and after we talked it was so much better and I feel he's come to terms with the idea now and is much more openly supportive.

And this time my first purchase is going to be a sling. Think I'll need it...

[jessia]

Oh and Pink Tulips you sound so optimistic and happy, this is what I'm hoping it's going to be like... COngrats.

And hi again Piglet Pants, we've met before on a similar thread...

[Mummyfor3]

3 is great - and 3 boys is fab!

Mine were 4 and 5 when DS3 came along and it was all good. So far, 11 months down the line, we have not had sibling rivalry that I would have notived.
Because the older 2 were v good at fighting playing together, in some respects if felt like having a first baby, IYKWIM. They played and in the early months days I BF all hours that are sent.

Practical considerations, yes, cars, we did change cars to dreaded 7 seater (takes all of us and GPs), DS1 and 2 moved into one room together, we cannot both go to cinema with older ones unless there is a GP babysitter organised etc etc.

I can honestly say, I am enjoying DS3 hugely and would not be without him.

Work: I have worked 4 days/week for the last 10 years, since before DSs came along, I used to supplement "regular" job with free lance work which I have now stopped.

It is all doable, at times hard work, good fun.
Hope you get used to the idea soon