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Original poster

Tell me about having four children

149 replies

BrutusMcDogface · 03/01/2018 16:37

Hi all! I'm currently pregnant with our surprise number four, and have been through all the emotions!

Today I am mainly terrified. Had a day out at soft play and just kept thinking how much harder it will be in times to come when there are four of them.

Please help! Tell me it'll all be ok and rub my back sympathetically! Or, tell me it's bloody hard work and give me some tips to help us all cope! Grin

Thank you!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Dontbuymeroses · 13/01/2018 15:52

From 2010, the 'what tips can you share' thread here!

Original poster
BrutusMcDogface · 13/01/2018 18:05

Thank you thank you thank you!! That's wonderful! Will be my bedtime reading tonight! GrinFlowers

OP posts:
Afreshcuppateaplease · 13/01/2018 18:06

I have bumped the old thread

Dontbuymeroses · 13/01/2018 18:40

You're welcome! I knew that I'd find it eventually!

majorfwp · 13/01/2018 20:16

Haven't read the whole thread but here's my input. Four is not that different to three. It's harder to nip to the shops or go to someone's house but otherwise no different.

I'm not super organised, I don't lay out clothes the night before or get up before the DC but we all manage to get out the door by 8.20.

Re cars, we currently have a Peugout 5008 which is one of the smaller 7 seaters and it was perfect for 3 but not great for 4. We are changing for a bigger 7 seater like the galaxy, sharan or Alhambra (the latter 2 having sliding doors, stuff of dreams!).

I'm one of 4 and loved it and wanted the same for my own but I think each child deals with it differently and you need to bear that in mind. Eg our number 2 is now 5.5 and defo the most work. I realised over Christmas that she was in such a good mood and so easy all the time and it was because we were around a lot of adult family and she was getting loads of attention. We make an effort to have one on one time with each of them at the weekends and will make an extra effort to carve out time with her for a quiet chat daily from now on.

majorfwp · 13/01/2018 20:28

Oh forgot to say, keep up work if you can. I'm self employed so at times I'm a SAHM and I find I'm much happier and a much better mum when I'm working part time. Might be just me but I need something other than being mum constantly.

Needmorehands · 16/01/2018 18:20

I have to agree with you major, I was a SAHM for a long time - moving house too regularly when a forces wife was as much a barrier to going back to work as the cost of nursery places for 4. I am much happier now I have work 2 - 3 days a week and the kids at school, being at home all teh time was good at first but I was really cabin fevery by the end. Although if DH wasn't so helpful I think I'd struggle to keep on top of chores etc

Mytribeof3 · 17/01/2018 17:15

Thanks for starting this thread OP. We currently have 3 children 7 (almost 8), 6 and 4 and are considering a 4th child. We alternate between feeling that it's absolutely what we want and then I panic and start to worry about spoiling what we already have. I worry about not being able to give each child the time and attention they need as it is already a struggle, although we do make an effort where possible. Mostly I think that if we did go ahead with it (and were lucky enough to have another baby) we would be pleased we did it as once you have your children with you there are no regrets.

Tsotofamily · 18/01/2018 06:35

How you feeling about the pregnancy now Brutus?
Can't remember if I've read how far along you are?

Motheroffourdragons · 18/01/2018 06:48

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ on behalf of the poster.

Original poster
BrutusMcDogface · 18/01/2018 14:26

Oooh, more responses! thank you all!

Tsoto - mainly excited (I think!!?) Grin I'm 14 weeks now!

We have some serious decluttering and tidying to do in the next few months! Want to be as ready as possible for this little one! Loving the anecdotes and tips Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
BrutusMcDogface · 18/01/2018 14:27

I do work part time and im really hoping to go back as soon as poss because I do love my job. I'll see how I feel but I might be willing to put little one into nursery (most probably at a cost Hmm just to keep my hand in). Good advice!

OP posts:
Tsotofamily · 21/01/2018 22:19

Mainly excited is good.
Ive just found out I'm going to be an auntie Grin

Original poster
BrutusMcDogface · 25/01/2018 21:20

Sorry Tsoto, I've just seen this! Very exciting, you'll get to enjoy a baby and then hand it back! Grin

OP posts:
Tsotofamily · 26/01/2018 22:31

Don't think ill want to hand them back tho Grin

Original poster
BrutusMcDogface · 11/03/2018 16:51

Hi everyone! How are you all? I though I'd drag this thread up again! Feeling excited to meet the new addition now (only 21 weeks though- should make the most of the relative calm before the storm !)

OP posts:
Justanotherzombie · 17/03/2018 06:58

My #4 arrived and is a nice chilled baby so far. He's 8 weeks. He's had no negative impact on the house so far. I'm still militant about bedtimes for the other little ones! Getting not much sleep but I know well it's only for the first while so don't really care. Already back to work so life is beginning to get into a routine again.

Imnotacelebgetmeouttahere · 17/03/2018 07:12

We have 4 and it’s nowhere near as bad as I anticipated Grin all of ours have special needs which is the bit I find the hardest as we can’t do lots of stuff nuerotypical families do / or can’t do it as easily anyway!

Ours are now 13,5,almost 5 and 3.5 - we had 3 under 2.5 and that was tricky timing naps etc. We have an Alhambra 7 seater which is perfect for all of us plus buggy when needed

MercuryRising · 21/03/2018 19:38

I have been following this thread. Yesterday I found out that we arw expecting dc4 😁

I am a little bit nervous about how we will keep on top of washing, ironing, but plan to spend the next 8 months getting in to better routines. We tried to get pregnant for 6 months so I am excited to finally be pregnant and have my fingers crossed for a healthy pregnancy.
Any tips you can give me would be greatly appreciated

Imnotacelebgetmeouttahere · 21/03/2018 20:08

I try to tidy as I go to make stuff easier. I make all beds, open curtains, collect dirty laundry and grab clean uniform / clothes before I go downstairs. Whilst they eat breakfast I pop in a load of washing, wipe sides down, pack lunches. I then wash and dress them ( all have special needs) and then plonk them with activity < or CBeebies!> whilst I load dishwasher and get bags ready.
By time they are at school, washinf is done and can be hung out, quick tidy and hoover and ready for whatever else we have planned

AndNowWeAreSix · 21/03/2018 23:31

Congrats @MercuryRising Smile
Things that have helped me:

  • keeping clothes simple (especially underwear). They all have one type of sock each, one type of pants. Sounds daft but makes such a difference when sorting the washing
  • a tumble dryer. Didn't have one until DC4 - couldn't live without it
  • a slow cooker/ always trying to cook extra to freeze. I could never really do the whole batch cooking but just did more of a meal as I cooked it
  • lowered standards! (My main cleaning product is a baby wipe)

Except in the really early days, with all that comes with a newborn, it hasn't felt different to 3 really. Easier in some ways as there is always someone to pair off with

MercuryRising · 22/03/2018 19:52

Thank you for the tips. I am glad to hear 3 doesn't feel much different to 4 Andnowwearesix. My eldest two are 11 and 9 and the youngest is 2 so I am quite fortunate that I can ask the big two to help out. Laundry is my nemesis I definitely need to master it before dc4 arrives. Out tumble drier broke and we hadn't replaced it, but I think it will need to be a priority now.

Mum2fourrugrats · 09/05/2018 20:34

Its amazing. We're trying for number 5 in a few years

GraceLeeper · 15/05/2018 04:46

Congratulations on having a baby number four! Your house would be a lot more fun having a new baby and of course messy sometimes.

24carrot · 24/05/2018 20:17

Brutus how are you doing? And other new/preggers mummies of 4?
I just found this thread... didn’t know I was serious about a 4th until today when I saw a friend who is expecting her 4th and it did things to me!!! My DC3 is nearly 7 months - thinking how lovely it would be for her to have another to play with as the others are 6.5 and just 4 so a bit of a gap... DH is one of four and liked it so I might be able to convince him!!