Tips for dealing with a newborn, 1yo and two older DC.

[notso]

Am having a little wobble about the impending arrival of DC4,
I have a very hormonal nearly 12yo DD, a needy 7yo DS, and a 14 month old DS.
So far have been burying my head in the sand and ignoring the "hands full", "first two years are hell" comments, but as the weeks are flying by I am finding it hard to imagine spreading myself even thinner to keep all three happy and deal with the demands of a newborn.
TIA

Hi notso, I have 5dcs and step children too! I like everyone worried each time I spread myself thinner! But always remember my mum saying to me as I stood over my sleeping first born ds in labour with my dd....I asked how I would ever love anyone as much as I loved him and she said very wisely....theres always enough love to go around! U will be spread thinner but you do it because you love them all the same. Of course the days when you can't get out the front door because the washing pile is too high or you get parents evening in the wrong night or you forget the food tech ingredients will never be any of our finest hours, but children from large families gain in so many other ways! When the whole room lights up for some silly reason and everyone is in hysterics you won't ask yourself this question! You'll do your best and your best is good enough!

I have 9year old ds, 6 year old dd, 14 month old dd, and 11 week old twins!!

It's fine I find they all have scattered bed times/naps so I have time for them all.

2 older ones at school and twins sleep mostly in day so I have time for 14 month old dd, when she is napping I have time for twins and during there feeds. Then the 3 little ones are in bed by 6 so I do homework/reading or just genral time with with elder kids.