3 under 3?

[TheManicMummy]

Me and my partner have just found out this morning that we are pregnant again! Mixed feeling really.

I have a 2 year old and 1 year old both born on the 5th oct..

I'm a mix between excited and petrified! I'm so scared of having 3 babies under 3!? Me and my partner are keeping this pregnancy a secret as we will definitely get negative comments we don't want/need. I just need some honest experiences? My partner also has a child who's 10 from a previous relationship who we have every other weekend. I don't know how he will take having another baby... so nervous! Help !

[TheManicMummy]

Does anyone have any experience ? Xxx

[sarahwat1990]

well its a small world I just found out that im in the exact same position a yourself today. Ds1 is 3 in dec and Ds 2 has just turned 1. It is daunting and much like yourself i'm terrified of how family will react but after sitting down a chatting to DH Ive realized its about us and our babys at the end of the day. Our family never approved on our pregnancy for one reason or another but as you can guess they adore both of our children. Im sure you'll find once they are done disapproving they'll be happy to meet there new addition to the family. I am told the jump to 3 isn't actually as hard as the jump from one to two as you've already got a routine in place and the third slips into that better.
Wishing you all the best

[TheManicMummy]

Huge Congratulations! When are you due? I'm due July 22nd? Or so it says on the NHS website...

I've also heard the same, that it isn't a big a shock jumping from 2 children to 3... but then I thought about shopping with all three of them... I think I'll have to switch to online shopping xxx

[Worrymcworryface]

I can't relate personally but my parents had 4 under 4. Me, 2 years later my sister & 12 months later my twin brothers. She used to be mistaken for a childminder when out & about 😁 - They were completely unprepared but coped very well. She even had time to sew all our clothes for us 🙀 as well as other hobbies, apparently the secret is routine!

She said when she found out it was twins she dreaded telling people because of their reactions, but people will judge/talk no matter what they hear.

Big congratulations, i love being close in age to my siblings ☺️

[sarahwat1990]

wow, according to the Nhs also the 22nd of july thats a little freaky. Online shopping sound good to start with as your oldest gets bigger going to the shops will be easier. Its the consistent potty training that Im freaking out about lol

[TheManicMummy]

Ah yes...potty training ! Hopefully they will all just follow suit? Oops !

Wow four under four!? Well I guess I can't rule that out just yet as I haven't had a scan to see how many babies are in there haha ! I need to perfect the "routine" we have bedtime pretty nailed it's just the naptimes etc which need work x

[TheManicMummy]

That is really freaky! I wonder how close to that date we will deliver! Xx

[AndNowItsSeven]

Congratulations , when ds2 was born I had 12 month old twins plus ds1 2.6 and dd3 4.1 so I had four under three and five pre schoolers.
It was fine and is fine ds2 is now 20 months.
What helped the most was a cleaner , if you can afford it and setting my living room up like a children's nursery with different zones e.g. bookzone, kitchen area etc.
All I did in the daytime was play, feed, change the little ones other than the school runs for the older dc. I had a friend who came round one day a week to help and that was invaluable.
Just enjoy the time with your little ones and don't feel any pressure to do housework other than the minimum or daily baths etc.
CBeebies is also your friend

[AndNowItsSeven]

Sorry the under threes are included in the present schooler total!

[dietstartsmonday]

Congrats both.
I had three uder three, in fact only 2.5 years between oldest and youngest. I found it really easy when they were young as all in similar routines.
Move out for the teenage years though ( am currently living through these)

[yaela123]

Congratulations!

I have 6 and the fourth was only 15 months when the little twin sisters were born so we had 3 under the age of two! It was exhausting and but I think the close ages also helped as they are at similar stages at the same time. They are so close now, almost like triplets. We have the older kids too (they were 11, 8 and 4 when twins born) so a slightly different situation though.

I think even if your family and people are disapproving they will be just as loving and caring to the new baby when it arrives

Good luck!

[Ilovecaindingle]

Done this twice and still sane. Ish. .
Bedtime organised is the key!!
I have 11 now and they all have a bedtime routine. Not that strict but they know bedtime is a realistic time and that parents need some child free time too!!

[Cosmicbird]

It's hard to imagine but it's easier once your in it if that makes sense? Dd2 was 3 and ds1 17months when ds2 was born. In a lot of ways it's easier than having older children with a new baby because there are no daily school runs to be managing - dd2 was only in preschool 3 mornings and that was an easy drop off anyway and dd1 was in secondary school and getting there and back independently. You do have to be super organised and it will take a month or two to fall into place but you CAN do it :)

[ReallyNotMyProblem]

I had 3 under 3. Eldest 2 born on the same day a year apart too!

The youngest has just turned 1 and the eldest 2 will be 3 and 4 next month. Honestly, going from 2 to 3 was a piece of cake compared to 1 to 2, good luck with your pregnancy!

[MotherStar]

Three under three is brilliant. You'll be busy in a good way for a while but I have just had number 5 and looking back three under three was bliss - no school runs! Congratulations and enjoy x

[jerryfudd]

I did 3 under 2 . Key is to stay organised and have a routine where possible. I like that they're all so close in age and it makes going out easier ie they like same films at cinema, play in same parts of park and softplay etc. Good luck, I'm sure you'll be fine

[GinaaMummyOf4]

I currently have 4 under 4 2 girls aged 4 & 1 and 2 boys ages 2 & 5weeks :) i wouldn't change them for the world & im 25 and I do it all alone (there daddy works away all week and only has 1 day a week home) its easy once you get used to a routine, good luck :) x

[redjumper]

Congratulations! I don't have experience as I'm only pregnant with my third and there'll be 4 years between them. However, I imagine it will be great! Since my youngest turned 18 months they've played together constantly and I just sit around drinking tea! It's easier than when there was just one if them, it'll just be a case of getting to that stage.
Just to add that shopping should be fine if you're thinking about using the 15 hours free childcare at age 3 for your eldest, you'll just be taking two of then which you're well used to.