Third child- what is it like?

[Hscs91]

Hello!
I am so totally torn (hourly!) whether to go for #3. Currently have a 4 year old daughter and 1 year old son and although I always imagined two and thought no 2 was my last baby, since he was about 6months old all I can think about is one more. My heart says yes but my brain thinks can I handle it? The cost/ chaos/ impact on my other children going back to a baby again etc. please can anyone with three give me an insight into what it’s like and your experiences? Positive and negative! Thank you!

I had a 6 year gap between my 2nd and 3rd, so going back to sleepless nights was difficult but ultimately quite fleeting. Its been lovely apart from that ! Trying to think of negatives but there's nothing really, obviously everything costs more money from holidays down to school uniform and food shopping x

We had to buy a new car because most won’t accommodate three car seats.
Holidays are tricky, especially as they get bigger (mine are teens now) as most things are set up for a family of four
Obviously everything is more expensive
I always found I knew what 2/3 were up to and one was a wild card!
but I love it. Love the chaos!

My third is now 2 months old. I also have a 4 and 2 year old. It obv hasn't really impacted our finances yet (I'm sure it will once you have to pay school fees extra groceries etc)
The kids are so sweet with her and we love it and we will def be having a 4th😃
I didn't find the transition too hard because in contrast to when I had my second (where I was still required to entairtain my first) now my first two play happily and allow me time with the baby.
The first too play so well together so I get why people are tempted to stop at 2, but I'm really looking forward to watch them all play later on. I always think having more than two allows them to be angry or frustrated with one sibling, but still have another playmate to turn to /play with if one is being irritating or doesn't want to play.
Because 3rd is still a baby there are harder times, ie older 2 is in the bath and im breastfeeding baby, but then the 2 year old want to get out or gets water in her eyes and I have to choose who to let cry ( put baby down or let 2 year old whine).
Mostly the harder times of day when I don't have enough hands (ie bath and bed time ) is usually mitigated by my husband being there, but if he works away or something like that .
Overall, apart from my joy of having another tiny baby, I also think it's a gift to my children to have siblings. (But I grew up as one of 5 siblings so I also speak from the joy of my own childhood).
That's why we're planning on a 4th as well (not sure about nr 5 yet haha)

Re a pp. We didn't have to buy a bigger cat but did have to change the existing car seats we had to a slimmer car seat in order to fit 3 across.works well now but the car is FULL.( Which also gives my joy- looking back and seeing my car so full- less fun for my dh when he has to pack for holiday)

We had a 3rd when my mirena coil failed! When dd2 was born, ds was 22 months and dd1 3y10m old. Total chaos for a while and I had some pregnancy complications which lasted for a time after delivery.

Dd2 just had to fit in with everyone else. There was no other way to do it. As such, she has ended up quite a chill person. I did everything in 3s - 3 in the bath together, 3 eating at the same time etc. Also still had ds in nappies too so that was a lot of laundry!

I was very lucky as I had a mother's help who came 2 mornings a week who cleaned and did some cooking, especially in the first year of dd2's life when I was in and out of hospital and not very well in between.

We didn't plan her, but wouldn't be without her. She's 20 now and a qualified beauty therapist working in a posh spa. It all worked out!!

Thank you so much everyone! Really helpful comments. I suppose once number 3 arrives you then can’t imagine life without them- just like the first two!

I have 4 kids. My first 3 were born in first 4 years. So I had 3 kids under the age of 4!! Then I had a 6 yr gap for my 4th. I was early 20s when I had first 3. Was the best thing ever!! Financially is much better as I wasn't starting out with each one, im guessing you will still have clothes from each, bath, pram etc. Tiredness is just the same, if you're awake for 1, you're awake for 10!! Would be a fab relationship for your kids as siblings being close. School runs, you take 1 you can take 3. If you're lucky (and quick enough) you could have them in the same school at the same time! 🤣. My advice would be GO FOR IT!!! 💐✨️