If you have two or more children, when did it get easier?

[Herewegoagain57]

Just curious as to when other parents found multiple children easier / life felt a bit more normal. I am 12 weeks in with my second child and also have a three-year-old toddler. We are surviving not thriving here.

It got progressively harder until they went to secondary school.

When the youngest turned about three.

Why did it get harder?

My eldest was 3.5 when I had my youngest, it was hard and probably about 8 months in it peaked and then got gradually easier from there, mentally and emotionally that is. I think around 8 months my eldest finally realised that this was permanent and she was not happy about that but she gradually got over it. They are now almost 7 and 3.5 and don't get me wrong it's still hard but a different kind of hard, not an emotional hard like it was in the early days while everyone was adjusting to their new lives.
hang in there op your still very much in the trenches, be kind to yourself it will get easier

Because they are no longer portable and you no longer make all the decisions, and they can answer back. Work and life got more demanding, the kids wanted to be here, there and everywhere after school, it was such a juggle. They are still so dependent. Every day felt like rushing around and negotiating, and no-one ever quite being happy. Babies are easy. You have complete control. Teenagers can get themselves places, organise things and help around the house. The in between years are hard in my opinion.

I'm one of these odd bods, I have 5 years between my two and did not find any stage difficult. Yet I had a dp who was very hands on- came in from work, ate, showered, took the baby to pick up ds1 from school, done bed whilst I cooked etc. it was truly a team effort. That made all the difference to me.

Same here, that 3 and a quarter stage did seem a turning point, youngest is 2 at the moment so lots we’re planning for next year!!