does anyone have 4 children 5 and under???

[Nemoandthefishes]

dh and I really cant decide whether to add another to our family and at the moment are on a semi leave it to fate spree but just wanted the practicalities of having 4 children 5 and under. Ds is 4 and a half, dd1 is 2 and a half and dd2 is 17mths so obviously if get pregnant in the next couple of months ds will be near 5 and a half and so on.

I had 5 in 3 years 9 months, it was quite tiring but I just needed to run the family like a military organisation.
I was also just starting my Masters when I had baby 1 and had the 5 of them while doing my masters/PHD.
We have a strict rota and breakfast is always at 7.30, teatime is always 5.00

We do have a housekeeper and and she is a godsend.

You've had 5 in under four years, BellaDonna? And you started a master's degree/Phd too? Well, clearly waves of inadequacy are washing over me. Bl**dy hell. Well done you!

And how much does a housekeeper cost then because I've got two, I'm doing a diploma (except I never have the time to study!) and well, I could do with the help.

haha thanks but sometimes i feel pretty inadequate!
the housekeeper isn't cheap, she is full time as we generate a lot of mess! basically i don't have to worry about the washing up, ironing, tidying the kids toys, making the meals etc as i know she'll do it for me, it is a luxury i'm know im very lucky to have!
FWIW I was very young when I had dd1 (21) so my body was programmed for lack of sleep-though unlike my contemporaries it was feeding every 2 hours not partying 'til 5am!

am hanging my head in shame bella

when I met my current boyf (4 yrs ago now), between us we had 5 kids...his eldest was 8 1/2, my eldest was 6 1/2, his youngest was 3, my ds1 was 2 1/2, and ds2 was 11 months. Not quite 4 under 5, but 3 age 3 and under WAS blimmin hard work, even just weekends & hols. Now, though, ds2 starts full time reception, ds1 & stepdd2 yr2, dd yr6 & stepdd1 yr8. I'm worried that the house will just be too quiet! If it wasn't for the genetic probs in my family, I'm quite sure we would be planning number6! Organisation, and not expecting the house to be spotless is key! In fact, I have a sign in my hallway that says "The house was clean last week, I'm sorry you missed it."

I have 7 kids under 8 years.....hard work yes, but never been happier..keep 'em coming...hoping for more.

We had three under 4 and both worked full time (and then had the twins but only after a gap).

DC4 is due in April when DS1 turns 6. Unless of course s/he is early like dc3 was.
I'm sure I'll cope. theres a slightly bigger gap thus time. I suspect it won't be much harder than 3 under 4 was.

I had 3 under 3 and found it hard work wasnt sure if we had much "fun" it felt like relentless hard work. I had a gap of 4 years then had my 4th - just to see if we could enjoy it this time - and it has been fabulous I wish I had enjoyed the other 3 as much -- but the mess chaos really got to me. Now things are great with a 2 year old and 3 at school. Think the message is how you tolerate it!...the reality is noise, mess, etc but if you just accept that this is a temporary phase you'll be fine.....

oh well can now update this thread as am pg with no.4

My sister has three three and unders
She copes better than me with two. Though her children are exceptionally well behaved I breed feral children.

pmsl @ ferral children

Congratulations!

Congratulations!

nemo - congratulations!

congratulations nemo

I am pg with no.4 by due date ds1 will be 5.1 and dts 22 mths (3 under 2 )

Congratulations nemo thought you were pregnant on FB when you due then is that June/July next year.

I thought I was finished after the horrendous pregnancy with DD3 but now I'm not so sure

ahh, congratulations

Good stuff Nemo, don't like to scare you but I recently found out that my number 4 (cooking now) is actually 4 and 5. I never knew (until now, too well) that the likelihood of twins increases with subsequent pregancies.

And I know someone else who had this happen.

Aaarrrgggghhhh xxx

pmsl longstory but noooooooooooooooooooo tisnt possible,,say it isnt soooo..lol think dh would leave me..

Congratulations Nemo!!!

I have 6 soon to be 7 under 10.

I had the twins first followed by dd 20 months later, then ds#3 2 years later, ds#4 2 years after that, ds#5 2 and a half years after that. The next baby is due in Jan and the twins have just turned 10 (today)

It is great fun, manic alot of the time but they do just all muck in and get on with it. They are all very independant and capable.

DD has Turners Syndrome and i think having a big family is the best thing for her.

I do quake at the scan every time though, please no more twins, please no more twins Would have been fine if it was though

I have currently 4 children all under the age of 5, They all begin with L , I have Leoni who is 4 and a half , Lacey is 3 , Leyton is 2 and Luca will be 8 and a half months soon, Me and my husband have just found out we are expecting our 5th child. We are both coming up 27yrs

My mum had 4 under the age of 3, me being the twin...She didnt have a cleaner,or a nanny,my dad worked a 6 day a week job, only saw us at bedtime, if we were lucky!
she did every thing even all the night feeds so very 24/7. my dad always came home to a cooked meal every night and the house had to be immaculate.
She has always told us that she loved every single minute of it and if it had not been for my dad getting the snip then she would have had at least 2 more

" would rather look after us then go to boring work"

Go for it i love having my sister and brothers so close in age and we all get on really well.

Congratulations Nemo.

I had 5, age 4 and under at one point. Absolutely loved it!!

Now the older 4 are at school, I work part time around school hours.