To wonder does 3 children get better?

[Bedroomdilemma]

I feel like I just want to run away to be honest, I’m not cut out for this. 7, 3 and 4 months. No special needs, all adorable in their own ways but oldest 2 can be difficult. I just need to plough on but I want to run away! Only an option open to men!

It really does improve. I had 3 under 5 at one point and it was exhausting. One child had a 4 year terrible 2 period. Now though, I don't even have to get up with them in the mornings. The youngest is 10 and they all get themselves up and off to school and they can all make me a cup of tea or fetch things or do some chores. They are great company too. You will get there too, I promise :)

Ha, each time I get to the magic 3 when it gets easier, I’ve had another baby, glutton for punishment! I can see I’ll eventually come out the other side, but the problem is I am old so I feel I’ll be in my dotage by then!
Got a little more sleep, and dh back so don’t feel quite so bad but trying hard not to think about my car.
Re not getting involved in their fights, that’s what I would like to do, but it’s hard when they’re hitting each other.
Anyone any tips as to what it’s like I’m having 3 and working? I’m going back full time and though I might get a coffee in peace, it’s going to add a whole new level of stress and trying to give them all enough attention.

I’m hoping it gets easier
When my third was born I had a 21 month and a three and a half year old

Almost 2 and a half years later it’s still gruelling .........

Its probably unrelated but I always have a wobbly moment and feel like throwing in the towel the week before my cycle:) With regards to having 3 then yes it does get better, its lovely when you realise you have just had an serious conversation with one of them and your not the only adult in the house anymore! Are you tempted for the number 4?:)

Haha, definitely definitely not planning no 4! No. 3 wasn’t entirely planned (although we hadn’t definitely ruled it out I guess) I’ll be getting iron pants to stop no. 4!

I had four under 9 writing that gives me the shivers. But I had five years between 2/3 I think that makes a difference the oldest were at school.
Fighting used to drive me crazy. I stopped them watching anything remotely rough on tv.
39/38/33/30 now. Gone in the blink of an eye.

Hmmm, maybe I should consider limiting what thy watch, they love Pokémon, power ranger type stuff, all of which involves battles.

Yes it does , my three are grown up now.

Oh no! You've scared me! I'm currently pregnant with number! Other two will be 3 and 5 when it comes along! Am I really doomed!?!?

I was a single parent with 3 under 5 (now aged 15, 11,11) I went back to work when Dt were 14 months. Good child care, good routines, organised the night before anything I could and relaxed day once a week where we could all recharge.
It gets so much easier - I'd say young children are more physically tiring, older children are more emotionally tiring. My 3 all have their moments but on the whole are helpful around the house, are fun to be with, we have great conversations now and we all respect that we need our own space to. Take each day as it comes, try not to have to high expectations, deal with one issue your unhappy with at a time and try implementing routines.

Oh op I feel for you in this! Really glad that other people are coming on and everyone can feel less alone!
I have not long had number 2 (unplanned) and was wondering if I can jump in and ask if you found 2 hard at all and it's just got worse? Or you found 2 a dream and 3 awful? 😂 I keep thinking I would love three but finding two easy and so then I think why wreck it?!
Hope you get some respite this weekend. You all sound like you're doing a great job!

To be honest, there were times definitely times I found 2 hard. The boys still fought and trying to put them to bed could at times drive me to distraction. But I never regretted two for a moment as I loved seeing, despite it all, the sibling bond and of course there were lovely times too. There are lovely times too with 3 of course, and I do like the idea of a little gang. Everything feels worse with sleep deprivation and little help, I feel better todayz

We were both working full time with a baby, 1 year old and 3 year old and that certainly gives you a break. Perhaps if you don't work the solution might be going back to full time work! It tends to be win win as you are quids in (remember childcare costs are 50% paid by each parent) and also you preserve a career and have more money to spend on the children once they are teenagers and yes they get easier, so easy we had twins after those 3 (and twins were dead easy as they are at the same stage compared with a baby and toddler who are definitely not on the same page).

Yeah I love the little tribe thing for sure but I chop and change my mind all the time! I'm certain that when the baby starts to grab things moreher brother isn't going to love her all the time like now!
Definitely not getting enough sleep is enough to make it all seem overwhelming! Glad you're feeling a little better. Bedtime does me in too. Why is it at the end of the day when you're tired!? 🤣😅that's got to be the hardest part when you've got one or five though I reckon!
This thread has been refreshingly honest and supportive.

6, 4 and 1 here. I think it would all be much easier if the 1 year old slept! My older two are pretty good but just so loud and don’t sit still... entirely normal I know but when I’ve been up all night I just want some quiet!
Anyway I’m anticipating a fairly tough summer (1 year old struggles to nap anywhere except his cot, which won’t be possible when we’re out all day on day trips etc), plus I generally find it pretty difficult until around 2.5, then I’m hoping it starts to get easier!

I find 3 hard too. And age 3 is shit. Way worse than 2years. My dd was 3 when twins were born and I thought she was acting out over the upheaval of the newborns (although she's always been strong willed). Then the twins hit 3 and one of them turned crazy overnight, similar personality to his big sis. Very sensitive. The other twin calmer in general but she's got her strong moments too and more so lately since they turned 4.
I regularly feel like running away. I hate hate hate all the fighting. It really gets me down.
I can't understand people choosing to have 3 or more I think it's crazy
It was a big surprise for us. There are other factors that make it stressful but I try focus that thank goodness we are all healthy and well.
However, I do cry sometimes! It's been a very intense 4 years here. Hugs to you. You're not alone. And you will survive xx

14, 13, 12 here (yes I know!) and I felt like I was a zombie for about The first five years but It has all been totally worth it as they don’t know life without each other and are the best of friends 😁

Yeah. And sometimes I think it's easier with 3 than 1.

Mine are 11, 9 and 6 now and it's SO much better. DC3 nearly broke me as a baby and toddler so I sympathise! You will get there x

I also hate age 3!

I like 3! 3 was fine here. Could go to the toilet themselves, dress themselves, we’re fairly rational... 12 months- 2.5 years is my nemesis.

*were, not we’re

Mine are 7, 5 and 2.

The 2yo is disabled / globally delayed but is actually the easiest.

The older two cannot be in the same room without hell breaking loose. They've actually got worse

Thank you for starting this OP! 6, 4 and 1 here. In some ways it’s so much easier now than when the youngest was a baby (I get marginally more sleep for instance, and that helps everything) but in some ways it’s harder because I need to watch the 1yo like a hawk and that doesn’t give me much time with the others.

I absolutely adore DC3 as I do all my children but the other day I was saying to DH that I wasn’t sure we should have had a third, it hadn’t been good for the family overall, etc. DH completely disagreed and said it would get so much easier and it seems from all these responses that he was right. Hooray!