Going from 2 to 3…

[Msd2416]

Just wanted to get your opinions on going from 2 to 3 children. Is it a lot more hard work, expensive etc? Was 1 to 2 harder?

Currently have DD and DS and would love number 3 I’ve always dreamt about 3 children but not sure if it’s practical? Hubby & I have 1 each when together but I manage just fine with the both of them most days!

Hoping someone says it’s totally fine 😊

This is asked quite often.

For me, 0-1 was life changingly massive.
1-2 took a bit of adjusting but was FAR less of a change
2-3 was a breeze in comparison.

I enjoyed "parenting" dc3 the most. By then I'd realised that so much of what I had stressed about with dc1 really wasn't that important in the scheme of things.

Of course, some of it will depend on the personalities of the individual dc.
.......and that dc3 doesn't turn out to be twins.

I found 0-1 the hardest. Number three has been pretty flexible.

I also found 0-1 hardest but 1-2 and 2-3 fairly straightforward. Having all three can be tricky especially as we have 6.5 years between oldest and youngest and we don't get much child free time alone or together.

It’s fine, like others have said 0-1 is the biggie. Financially I haven’t noticed, I never thought of this and that would be cheaper if I had less DC. Lots of my friends have three or four, I never thought it was a thing until I read lots of negative comments on mumsnet.

Having three children is great - but it is hard work. Having 1 child is hard work, having 2 is harder and at time having 3 is even harder.
I find with three, almost all the time, one is left out especially when close in age. This is something that happens as they get older. As babies, I think it is actually not that different to having 2!
As they get older it gets harder - the emotional support they need increases (as it does with any child) but when there are three of them, it is and can be very exhausting emotionally, mentally and physically.
With that being said - when they are all getting on, when everything is smooth it is brilliant. They will always have each other and they know that. They can be the best of friends and the worst of enemies.
I think the age gaps play a huge role in how hard/easy it can be. Mine are now 16,15 and 13 next week so i have three teenagers and it can be hard BUT I would not change it for the world EVER.
My advice - ensure you ALWAYS carve time for yourself. Keep sane.

I love having three, the hardest part for me is finding time for myself - the logistics and fitting in 1-2-1 time with each of them means it's sometimes impossible. We also struggle with informal childcare more now (from family and friends) - I think 3 scares people!

Through the baby/toddler years (I had my 3 in 4 years) it was mostly fine, hectic but you are committed to the baby stuff so might as well do it for 3 if you are doing it for 2.

However now mine are 10,9,7 and it’s feeling really hectic. Trying to juggle all the school stuff and clubs etc is madness. And super expensive. Swimming lessons for 3 makes me want to cry.

I underestimated all this initially, but the financial impact of that 3rd kid really is a lot.

But they are great of course, I just wouldn’t recommend it if you are already struggling financially. The child care years were financially horrific.

I found going from 1 to 2 harder than from 2 to 3. Mine are all 2 years apart in age so eldest was 4 when I had dd3.

I can't say I notice the financial difference in day to day life especially as mine are all the same sex so clothes and toys get handed down. However days out, holidays etc obviously cost more and even more so now mine are older as I can no longer get them all to share a bed comfortably in a hotel room.

It can be difficult to split yourself in 3 and in my experience you generally get one more "easy", "laid back" child who will seem to get more left out as you feel pulled to support the other 2 between you, that may just be how I feel though. I try to split my time as equally as possible though!

I'm lucky my 3 get on well 99% of the time and they're very close. Now got one teen and one almost teen so looking forward to seeing how the hormonal years pan out lol.