18month gap between DC2 and DC3 due in June - any advice?

[milliemuffin]

I have a DS who will be 4 in July and my DD will be 18months old when DC3 arrives in June. I've been reading how difficult some people have found it having a close gap so I'm just wondering if anyone has any advice on how to prepare myself?

I found going from 1 to 2 alot easier than I expected but DS was 2+5 and a perfect child, DD is already becoming a little madam throwing strops, shouting alot and she loves pulling hair and swiping DS's glasses off his face. I'm not so confident this time round.

(by 2+5 I mean he was 2years and 5months, just to clarify)

don't worry. you will find a way.

Your dc are similar ages to mine when I had dc3. Mine were 3.9, 12 months and newborn. They are now 4.9 , 24 months and 12 months! It is hard but I find following a routine helps and I always put the youngest 2 down for a nap at the same time in the morning so I can get things done. I have two high chairs where if things get too much I can strap them in with sone crayons etc. Also in the early days I found having a travel cot up as a playpen a godsend! I either used it so my 12 month old could not run riot whilst I was feeding the baby or to put the baby in so that I could safely leave the room!!
Although it's hard work it's amazing having them so close, my 12 month old was too young to be jealous of the baby and they have bonded beautifully. Good luck!

When DS2 (dc3) was born, I had DD 5.8, DS1 19 months and then newborn DS2. I actually found the first 2 years quite easy. . I think the hardest time was when DS1 was 3yo and DS2 was 18 months old. That was a bit of a hard year, what with getting DD to school, then rushing to get DS1 to pre-school, all while dealing with a toddler DS2.

It got massively easier again when DS1 went to FT school and DS2 started pre-school at the same time. Now DD is at Secondary school (Y8), DS1 is in the juniors (Y4), and DS2 is in the infants (Y2). In fact, so much easier that DC4 is due in 12 days!!

And DS1 & DS2 play together now, and tbh they keep each other amused.

Thanks for your comments ladies, every now and then I have a little panic but I know that lots of families have 3 or more where one of them is still a baby (albeit a big baby bordering on toddler) so it can't be as scary as I sometimes think it might be, if that makes sense?!
Thanks again xx

Loudlass - congrats on DC4! Hope all goes well xx