Talk to me about the reality of 3 kids over 2...

[lucieloos]

Obviously I'm sure everyone who has 3 kids loves them to bits and doesn't regret having them but how easy is it going from 2 to 3? I've heard some say it's fine and going from 1 to 2 is harder and others say they were really shocked at how difficult it was going from 2 to 3 and how their lives would have been infinitely easier having stuck to just 2. Things such as looking after 3 on your own being really hard compared to 2.

I'm not worried about things such a needing a bigger car or holidays etc as they can be overcome. I'm also worried about sharing time between 3 children is there enough to go around.

I have 4, the 4th is quite a bit younger but by far easiest, think I’d honed my skills by then 🤣🤣

1 to 2 - hardest, 13 months apart really struggled (our living arrangement didn’t help, we were in a flat on 1st and 2nd floor with terrible neighbour)
2 to 3 (5 year age gap between 2&3) i can honestly say I’ve not really struggled too much. We’ve moved house since my eldest two were babies, and I’ve found that’s made a huge difference. Things like having our own front door/driveway has made things infinitely better and easier. So I don’t know if that also affects my opinion that 3rd has been a breeze! (So far, he’s 9 months)
We hope to try for a 4th in the summer

We went from 1 - 3
2nd pregnancy was twin, and we went from having a truly peaceful existence with us and DD, to a completely different and unruly one with the addition of her brothers (2 year age gap).
I was really looking forward to baby no. 2 as figured I had this parenting lark nailed down. Throw twins into the mix and it's a whole new ball game.
Saying that, we always said we wanted 3 kids, but we'd have certainly opted for staggering them rather then having 2 together.
Obviously, I wouldn't change it for the world, but I certainly find that the saying, 'two's company, three's a crowd' describes the dynamics in our house. Any combination of the 2 can place nicely with each other, add the third in and it all goes to pot!
Having 3 is awesome though. Love 'em xxx

Easier than going from 1-2 for me!

Things cost more! Family tickets for places are usually 2and 2ch and the cost of holidays jump too. If you have big age gaps between the 3 then it's also hard to find something to do/day out/activity that all 3 will enjoy. They out number you and usually its 2 kids ganging up on you or the other dc, but dont be fooled by 1 tag team as there alligences to 1 sibling or parent as these change like the wind, you need to be on guard and keeps your wits about you
--i will comeback with some good points if I think of any

3 is the magic number.
It's just the right size. I think 2-3 kids is perfect. Beyond that gets a bit silly and stretched. With 3, you can still just about spread yourself out evenly among the kids, the dog, the husband, the cat.

I went from 2 to 3 recently. It is not that much harder really however. So far things have been fairly easy all things considered. My youngest is only three months old now but they love her already. And a few years later when they are all older, I want to have a fourth child. We will see what happens however.
We want to try for another in three years time. It is hard but totally doable.

I’ve found 2-3 fine so far. DD3 is four months old and has fitted in really well. She is a very chilled baby and a brilliant sleeper though (touch wood!) I think the age gap helps (others are 9 and 6) and it’s been lovely watching the dynamics. They both absolutely adore her and we’ve had no issues. Someone said to me if you keep thinking about it you’re probably not done and I think that’s true. I feel totally done now and our family is complete!