To have thought i'll cope ok.

[kitkey]

I'm hopefully expecting DC3 at the end of September (had MC in nov so a bit of fingers crossed needed) when DS1 will be nearly 3.10 and DS2 2.5. There is less than 17 months between 1 and 2 and it was so so hard as DS2 had colic and was a velcro baby,and DS1 was a very naughty young toddler. He is much easier and manageable now and DS2 has really blossomed and is more independent, so i thought it would not be worse than 1-2 was. People are telling me it is going to be really hard work when DC3 comes along and now I'm a bit worried. I know DS1 won't even have started school but both DSs do two full (10hr) days at nursery a week as I work. I will keep this going on mat leave, so essentially I only have 3 full days with all 3 on my own. After mat leave of a year I will have DS1 starting school, DS2 eligible for his early years funding and so just DC3 to pay full nursery fees for - childcare is never going to be as expensive as the last year of paying in full for both of the boys. However I feel so tired and sick now that I worried about how hard 3 under 5 (4 for 2 months)is going to be to cope with on a day to day basis of dressing, feeding, entertaining and bedtime. Any experience good and bad please.

Hi,
My 3 are 5 and 3 quarters, 3.5 and 3 months so slightly different to your situation. My eldest is full time school, middle child in a.m nursery. I was worried too but baby is sooooo good and just fits in with our life. I encouraged my older 2 to be more independent before the birth (e.g dressing themselves, organising school bag etc and this has really paid off). You will need to be very organised but i was so tired when pregnant that it's seemed so easy compared to that! Good luck x

When I had my third, my older 2 were only 18 months and 3. To be completely honest I remember that year as a bit of a nightmare, but there are things you can do to make it easier:

1 - Even though you feel tired/shattered, make sure you get OUT at least once or twice a week (easier in the summer)

2 - Get a cleaner, even just for the first 3 months, so that the housework doesn't end up getting you down

3 - get some childcare, which you got already sorted - great.

4 - make sure your DP gets his full paternity leave + any holidays so that he is there for the first few weeks;

5 - The usual tip of making batches of food as I found early evenings a total nightmare, with baby screaming (witching hour) and to feed, the younger two grumpy and hungry, etc...we had a lot of ready meals/rubbish food when I could not get organised.

It won't be easy, but once your eldest start school and the 3 year old pre-school it will feel SO EASY in comparison!!!!

Forgot about easy meals (jars of sauce etc, packet mix sauce etc to make your casseroles - all helps me!)

I have 15 months bewtween DD2 and DS1 then 13 months between DS1 and DS2. They are now almost 4, 2 and a half and almost 18months.(scarily i worked out the other day that i'd had last 3 babies in 26 months)Some things that work for me;

*I have lowered my standards in terms of house work to keep sane!
*I shop on line for food every week
*Never use more that 4/5 ingredients in any meal, love one pot recipes!
*I accept all offers of help from friends and grandparents
*bath them altogether every other night then story and bed all at the same time.We've recently dropped all naps to make bedtime quicker and less painful!
*organise everyones bags/clothes etc the night before
*everynight i take a glass of wine and a book into the bath and i dont emerge from my bubbles for about an hour! it's my sanity hour!

please dont worry, you will be just fine.
i had 3 in 3and a half years, with a now ex h who decided to wake me with hs teeth in my arm when dd3 was 2 weeks old, i ended up doing it as a single mum.
you WILL cope! it will just happen, a routine will form naturally, just go with the flow.
best wishes

People are full of helpful advice. I have 1 dd - 3 next weekend - and am pg (planned) but got quite a wonderful shock when we discovered it's twins. People are so quick to make out i won't cope. I know it'll be hard but I am really excited and am getting fed up of people being negative. I just say " actually I'm delighted". secretly I have worries but don't all mums?

50 years ago three close together was normal so they managed!

the other 2 of yours have a routine so the 3rd will have to fit in. You'll be fine! xx

When had DS 2, had DD (4), DS (2). For what it's worth, found going from 2-3 easier than going 1-2! Just had to plan each day with more precision and get ready night before, and all things as above, accepting help, stocking freezer, etc. Most of all enjoy-when had DS 1 was too -up my own arse- precious and struggled, thinking I could be wonder woman and do everything-realised I couldn't, sat down and had a think about what was most important to me and our family. Luckily we were in a position to do the one thing that made most sense and has made me the happiest I've ever been (never thought I would after years of career building) but became a SAHM and love it! Happy days for all. Wishing you all the best happiness together,x

I've got 3, when youngest DD was born DD1 was 3y 11 months, DS 1 year 6 weeks. It was hard work, DD1 was at am nursery, then from lunchtime I had them all at home, DD2 was born July so nearly summer hols aswell...then no break at all! I tried to get out a few times a week but arranged for people to come to me more so I didn't have to get everything/one ready, if it happened to be someones nap time it didnt matter they could go to bed still. Def do lots of stews/cassroles etc, anything you can can prepare in the morning then heat up. We all get tired at 4pm when it's time to do tea.

However hard it is, it goes so quickly, I remember trying to tell myself to stop cleaning and go play with the kids while they still want me! Try and stick to a routine with your washing etc and get things ready night before, usual things but they do help. Most importantly...enjoy your kids! Good Luck x