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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask you to tell me great things about having three kids?

184 replies

lalouche · 15/01/2014 19:15

Ok, sort of a thread about a thread, sorry, but reading all the comments about how 3 kids is a nightmare and loads of people wish they'd stopped at 2...anyone want to tell me why it was a great decision to have a third? I'm 34 weeks with dc3 and while pg was planned, I'm now a bit panicked about what we are letting ourselves in for. Too late to change our minds, clearly Grin, but please make me feel less anxious! I'm only being semi-facetious- I'm surprised by how worried I am, at a stage when I feel like I should be feeling super-positive and excited.

OP posts:
wasabipeanut · 16/01/2014 14:42

Must also admit I was thinking of big family Christmases and grandchildren too. No guarantees of course and they might all end up loathing each other but it ups the odds!

FrankSpenser · 16/01/2014 14:42

You are all making me broody!!

FrankSpenser · 16/01/2014 14:43

I have two...

FrankSpenser · 16/01/2014 14:44

Admittedly I have been toying with the idea of another for a few weeks now. And I was dead set on not having another for a good few years yet. Youngest is 4.

RufflingFeathers · 16/01/2014 15:02

Almost welled up reading all this !

I love love love having three !! It feels like a brood - it's not neat or ordered. It's not too intense - if you fall out with one, it doesn't automatically make one the bad one and one the good one. It's wonderful, and all bickering and constant work are worth it for those moments when they're all bathed and in fleecy suits and the biggest one is reading to the littlest one before they go to bed, and the middle is giggling and playing with the littlest one's Christmas presents, despite being 7 and far too old to play with babies.
My littlest is 4 now and it's an absolute joy to have a 4 yr old without a baby to look after.
Oh I love it….but definitely it gets easier a few years in - it's full on hard work having a baby/toddler/6yr old or whatever !

JugglingFromHereToThere · 16/01/2014 15:12

Ahh, lovely posts, especially liked yours wasabi - your biddable little chap sounds fab!

MrFranklyShankly · 16/01/2014 15:41

I'm the same here ruffling, welling up reading all these lovely posts! Must remember them next time I'm stressed and giving out!!!! It is a great feeling though when your in the car and you look into the mirror and see three little lookalikey heads all giggly!!

honeybeeridiculous · 16/01/2014 15:56

How old are your other two DC OP?
Mine are 25. 22. 16
It's great fun when they're growing up, first 2 loved having a baby sibling to smother! And they are all so protective of each other now,
You will love it OP Grin

Bootycall · 16/01/2014 16:00

oh have 4 like us and you know that at any one time one will have moved back home or not left!

deep joy! Grin

AWimbaWay · 16/01/2014 16:09

I posted on the other thread and was one of the few to give a completely positive response. I actually think three is easier than one, my eldest now enjoys being the big helpful sister to my youngest, helping her get breakfast etc. and all three love playing together. I love having three of them running around too, the house always feels so full of life. Yes it gets expensive and a little hectic at times, but I wouldn't swap it for the world.

Good luck lalouche, you'll be knackered at first, but that goes with the sleep deprivation that comes with any new baby, then I'm sure you'll love having three!

wasabipeanut · 16/01/2014 16:38

He is Juggling he is! Something else I've thought of too. The other night I was sat on the sofa watching tv with DS1 and DD with an arm around each. DS2 then climbed up and put his arms around my neck and joined in the cuddle.

I will remind myself of this moment when bath time grief commences in 90 minutes.....

JugglingFromHereToThere · 16/01/2014 16:48

Ahhh! I only have two but there's always moments to treasure aren't there? (joined the thread as I was one of 3 myself - a good childhood of many happy memories)

Original poster
lalouche · 16/01/2014 16:49

They are 3 and 5 honeybeer. And luckily get on really well, mostly! I will keep hold of this thread to re-read when things are looking bleak!:)

OP posts:
milkybarsrus · 16/01/2014 17:11

I just love it! I had my first two children close together then nine years later my third came along(hmm). I feel proud to have three children, it sort of feels more like a family, but I can't explain why as I felt our family was very complete before we had our third child. Enjoy it.

sparkletoes · 16/01/2014 17:13

I will too! Best thread ever.. :-) may just have saved my sanity..

FLABtastic · 16/01/2014 17:21

I wouldn't have it any other way. I love having 3

Clarabumps · 16/01/2014 17:25

We were stopping at 2 ds. Had a close age gap of 18 months and i really struggled. PND and ds2 was diagnosed with ASD. Then..KABLAM…. pg with dd.
Best thing we've ever done. She's a delight. The boys love her and she has them wrapped around her wee finger. They all share a room and I had 3 under 5.
It is hectic. It's noisy. It's messy at times. You are never bored and I love that there's a wee gang of them. As do they. I think it's infinitely more fun than 2. Plus you are a lot more relaxed with your third. It's definitely our last so I relish every wee minute. Even the hard bits.
This sounds like I'm one of they earth mother types. I'm really not. Half the time I'm reaching for the wine at half 5.
Please don't worry. It'll be great!

Geneticsbunny · 16/01/2014 18:01

Hey clickers that is what I was going to say. Grin

Just had my 3rd and it is lovely. Looking forwards to them playing together when they are a bit older.

knitaholic · 16/01/2014 18:05

Yeah it can be chaotic getting out the house, but wouldn't go back to 2!

knitaholic · 16/01/2014 18:09

Also means you can go to the loo while the older 2 keep an eye on the wee one! At least one of them should notice if the baby eats lego while you're out!

RubyLovesShopping · 16/01/2014 18:12

It is hectic at times but had 3 under 5 so maybe that's why. Contemplating no4 so can't be that badGrin

supermumsclub · 16/01/2014 18:31

I have found that when they do fall out with a sibling they learn quickly from each other about comforting one another & the rewards they get from being kind. They learn that they will be left out some times & how to deal with it, & they learn patience, they have to take things in turn & respect each others things.....etc!!! Its great for them, as for me?????? I struggle with all their different stages of development & learning! To get them all here, there & everywhere! But 3 is most definitely best!!

leelteloo · 16/01/2014 18:46

Ha!!! thank you lalouche!!! I was reading that same thread yesterday, sitting in my hospital bed with dc3 in the plastic crib next to me & a very painful c-section wound!! I was flooded with anxiety to the point I nearly had a panic attack and I couldn't sleep last night filled with fear!
I'm home from hospital today & first day of my life as a parent to 3. Thank you for starting this positive thread; it has helped me feel dh & I can do this Grin.

Gnome134 · 16/01/2014 18:46

Three is great! Certainly more chaotic. I have a biggish gap between dc2 and dc3, so that has pro's and con's.But they mainly all get on. And I think if you had the urge to go for number three, that desire wouldn't have gone away. Good luck!

ThoughSheBeButLittle · 16/01/2014 18:53

Mine are 8, 6 and 1 and it's fantastic! Much easier than 2 and having the 3rd has really changed the competitive dynamic between DS 1 and 2. The baby seems to have brought out the best in both older boys and they love being 'responsible'.