Which is harder... 2 to 3 or 3 to 4?

[hangonasec]

Had a quick look through previous posts looking if this is already answered, can't see anything but apologies if it's already been done recently!

Just wondered for those of you with 4 or more, what do you think is the easiest, going from 2 to 3 or 3 to 4? We have 3, I could do 4 but dh thinks it would be chaos. I have this theory that once you're into 3 children could 4 really be that much harder?

I found going from 2 to 3 a doddle at first, but once he started weaning he developed all sorts of allergy problems and I returned to work a few months later, and to be honest it has felt like a running conveyor belt ever since - so my argument is would another really be that much busier/harder? (aside the fact we don't have the space or the money... but I'm not overly materialistic!)

Any thoughts much appreciated x

I would have to say going from one to two is the hardest. DD3 came along and seemed to slot into place IYSWIM but when DD2 arrived I felt shell shocked at how much harder it became. I guess alot depends on the age gaps also.

I would say going from none to one going from 2-3, 3-4, 4-5, 5-6 were quite easy, got into a routine a lot quicker. And 2nd, 3rd ...etc babies tend to fit in around you, its a case of having too.

The hardest part was the washing.

I agree that the age gaps definitely have an impact. I found one to two harder than I thought because my second had a lot of health problems. It was the going back to work with three that really turned my life upside down! Was just wondering whether a fourth would do the same or whether in peoples experiences it does get easier everytime...... or wishful thinking on my part!!!

3-4 nearly killed us, bigger house, bigger car, but then there was only 9.5 months between numbers 3 and 4 so that did have an impact...

I have four girls all equally hard work at first, none more than the other.. alot of competing for attention off mum and dad, Hard Work but lots of fun times

Our hardest was one to two.

Three to four brings the practical problems- 3 children fit in the back of most "family" cars, but 4 mean a people carrier (and when ours were little people carriers were like hen's teeth); 3 children fit into a 3 bedroom house, but 4 means a squeeze or needing a 4th bedroom.

Other than that, and the washing, we didn't find it too big a deal going from three to 4.

I agree it depends on the age gaps too. We had 19 months between the first two, then exactly 2 years between DC2 and DC3, and DC3 and DC4. We then had 15 years between DC4 and DC5. Now that was weird

My brother syas going from 2-3 was the problem. With two, there was one parent per child. When there were three you had to trust one child to behave and not run off.

3 to 5 was quite tough, don't ignore the possibility of twins. x

We have 3, considering a 4th too, so I'm interested to hear thoughts as well.

I found 1-2 much harder than 2-3 and am hoping 3-4 would be a doddle...

I think age gaps made a dinnerence for us too - 21 monts between 1 and 2, but 3.5 years between 2 and 3 which I have found much easier.

I heard many people say 2-3 is hard because you swap from playing man on man to zone defence, but we haven't found it so (although little DD2 is not walking yet...)

Same for me Astrophe!

We have three, dh wants to try for another. 1-2 was a bit of a shock 2-3 has been easy. Being pregnant with two to look after was a bit of a killer, so not sure could cope with 3 and feeling sick!

I agree with Astrophe that the gap makes a difference. 26 months between 1 and 2 was hard, but 39 months between 2 and 3 was fine. My third is walking and getting into everything, but she loves her brother and sister, calls her big sister "mama" and me "mummee", she is constantly amused by them, and they love it, but maybe I am just lucky!

my 2-3 was hard but that is mainly to do with the personality of no.3. She is a lovely little thing with quite a nasty bite! My no.4 is delightful[at the moment] and very laid back so cant forsee any issues yet..lol

oh and age wise they are 6,4,3 and nearly 1.
Age gaps were
26mths then 12mths then 29mths

Thanks for your thoughts. Having had a difficult week with number 3, night wakings, not going to sleep in first place and me definitely having to work for the forseeable future I think I would have to wait a while for no 4. I have definitely found it easier with my bigger gap between 2 and 3 so as much as I would want to get my baby days over with I think it would be sensible to wait a bit. My youngest is 20 months at mo.

Thanks again x

We went from 2-4 (twins) and that was very much harder!! Bigger house, car, trips out like an expedition etc. I think 2 to 3 would be the easiest tbh as 4+ = chaos in my experience!!