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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask about your morning routine

14 replies

ThePolishWombat · 06/10/2019 17:52

if you have 3 or more kids?!
DH is going back to work after 2 weeks paternity leave tomorrow and I’m quite terrified at the prospect of getting DC1 to school on time with only one pair of hands Confused
We have 3 DCs: 4yo, 2yo and 2 weeks old.
The newborn is breastfed so not a chance of any kind of feeding routine happening there.
I figure that if DH gets up with the older 2, gets them started with breakfast etc, while I get myself dressed (if DC3 is still sleeping) or feed DC3 if she’s awake. Once DC3 is fed/changed, I can pop her in a sling and have both hands free to crack on with getting the other two DCs ready.
The oldest 2 usually wake around 6:30am, and we have to leave the house by 8:35am to get to school on time. It sounds like it should be plenty of time, but I’m feeling very daunted by doing it all myself for the first time Blush

OP posts:
CherryMaple · 07/10/2019 04:27

Hi OP. I think 3 kids demands a mix of good organisation and practical freewheeling. Good organisation: uniform/clothes for the next day laid out the night before, packed lunch for pre-school (for example) made and in the fridge, bags packed. Freewheeling: breakfast in the car if - despite best efforts - something unpredictable happens and you run out of time.... You’ll be fine OP. Best of luck for today x

Nicola1892 · 07/10/2019 06:10

We have 3 kids at a similar age, we get up at 6.30 5 year old and 2year old have breakfast until 7 and I get ready at the same time. 7-7.30 get kids ready. 7.30-7.45 quick tidy upstairs abd take all rubbish/cups down. 7.45-8 get bags ready + downstairs tidy. 8.00 get shoes and coat on, buggy out 8.15am leave for school.
We have a 5 month old aswell who does her own thing in the morning 😂

I find the mornings go smoothly at the moment x

Mrscog · 07/10/2019 06:16

I don’t have 3 so not really qualified but the strategy that jumps out at me is to make sure 4yo is ready for school (once breakfast done) before anything else.
Pick your battles with the2yo - if they have to do school run in pjs/teeth not done etc no one will die and you can sort them out after if you need to.

Definitely baby in a sling.

Hagbeth · 07/10/2019 07:04

My children are older now, the are of a similar gap as yours. The best thing I ever done was starting my day earlier than the kids. I get up at 5:30, have coffee and get ready before I wake the kids at 6:45.

onyourway · 07/10/2019 07:15

We used to do breakfast in pants and vest, with uniform thrown on in the kitchen afterwards. If they all disappeared off to their rooms after breakfast, there was no hope of rounding them all up again Smile

Poetryinaction · 07/10/2019 07:19

Alarm at 6 30.
5yo in uniform, little ones out of night nappy, then Straight down to breakfast - porridge for all.
Make packed lunches.
Dress the little ones.
Shower and dress myself.
Brush all teeth, grab bags and run out the door, to arguments about shoes and socks... general chaos!

Poetryinaction · 07/10/2019 07:20

I found it so much easier when on mat leave. I hate having to be presentable, fed and packed myself. Mine are 5, 3 and 1 now. We have to leave at 8am.

my2bundles · 07/10/2019 07:55

I would concentrate on what you need to do for your 4 year old to be ready for school. Anything else including 2 year old dressed and fed can be done after drop off.

Bonniegirl435 · 07/10/2019 09:13

I have 5 children, i make packed lunches the night b4, lay out uniforms ready for the morning, inc bags and shoes ready.
Up at 6.45, they usually have a hot breakfast ready for 7am then get washed and dressed, out the door for 8am as have 3 different schools to drop off at.
Its military precision Grin none of my children have ever been late for school.

My youngest is now at school but b4 that, when she was a baby id wake for 6am to get a breastfeed in b4 we left.

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 07/10/2019 09:18

Ok so not really qualified to answer as only have 2 but:

  • clothes/lunches/book bag ready night before.
  • everybody dressed before you come downstairs - you, baby, kids.
  • sling!
  • remember it's temporary. Once they go a relatively reliable 2-3 hours between feeds, a bf baby can fall into a bit of a routine between feeds, especially if you are happy to wake them at a relatively consistent time in the morning.
Original poster
ThePolishWombat · 07/10/2019 12:38

So.....we survived, and DC1 got to school on time!
DH got up with DC1 & 2, and did what @onyourway suggested: breakfast in clean pants/vests/socks, and then uniform/clothes thrown on afterwards, while I fed and changed DC3. DH left for work and I put DC1 & 2 in DC1’s room to be babysat by Netflix while I got dressed etc.
All went smoothly Shock
The next challenge will be when DH has an early start at work - a couple of days a week he has to be there by 7:30am so I’ll be well and truly flying solo then!

OP posts:
Original poster
ThePolishWombat · 07/10/2019 12:42

@NoIDontWatchLoveIsland definitely be easier when she’s more reliable with feeding intervals!
The last few days, if she’s still asleep when the other DCs wake, Ive been getting up and putting the weird pool noodle thingy the hospital gave us around her so she can’t roll around the bed or anything....it’s just way too tempting to stay in bed and snuggle Grin

OP posts:
NoSauce · 07/10/2019 12:43

Well done OP!

Get everything ready the night before eg clothes out, school bag, packed lunch if they have one, put cereal and bowls on table ready, so you’re not running round looking for stuff. You’ll find your groove I’m sure.

Original poster
ThePolishWombat · 07/10/2019 14:13

@NoSauce I had clothes out ready, and DC1’s book bag ready to go - tonight I’ll set out breakfast stuff too!

OP posts:
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