triplets

[PaulaMummyKnowsBest]

how much time do you spend out of the house?

How do you manage toddler groups etc when they are not walking?

Where we are, you have to leave buggies outside and there is no parking close by.

How do parents manage by themsleves?

Dear PaulaMummyKnowsBest

I've got no experience of triplets - just twins - but with my twins, the more time I spent out of the house - the saner I felt - even if it was just a trip to Sainsbury's!

I found that I was able to break/disregard the buggy rule as I had twins - or at least take the buggy in - dump the kids and park it outside again - then there would be someone inside to mind them while I parked the buggy.

Some of the best advice I had is sometimes you just have to let them cry - I watched singleton mums rush to pick up their babies when they started to grizzle - where as sometimes mine just had to wait - they're certainly no worse off for it!

Good luck!

I second most of the above post (though I too only have twins). I tend to take the double buggy in, then a member of staff takes the buggy back out if they object to it being there. It is surprising how often it can stay if the onus is on them to take it back out My sure start centre has an official exception agreement (with council? LA? Fire people?) for twins and more, so buggies can stay inside if necessary.

I also agree with going out A LOT. It is essential to stay sane. I didn't go out much for the first 8 weeks as they were little, it was cold and I was knackered. Since then, we've been out most days unless there is someone else here. By 3 months old, they'll want more entertainment than it is possible for one person to give in a house without going bonkers. When you're out, the world does the entertainment for you, and all you have to do is keep them fed, clean and safe! Much easier.

Having said that, the housework doesn't get done when you're out (unless you get a cleaner?), so prepare yourself for a lot of mess, and prepare your husband to be ready to pick up the jobs when he gets back from work.

It will be fantastic fun You'll need help, but the staff at playgroups, the lady at the next table in the cafe, the woman who marks your space in the queue in the shop-that-won't-fit-the-buggy so you can stand outside til it's your turn ..... they all help out willingly because they can see you've got your hands full (oh, yes - be prepared for everyone to tell you you've got your hands full!)

Good luck :-)

Just read my post back, and realise I might have implied that housework does get done if you stay in. It doesn't. It really doesn't.

I am a childminder with two 7 month olds and a non walking 17 month old, so not quite triplets but i was wondering how to get them into places.

As they aren't my children, I can't leave one or two of them inside while I get the other in.

I can manage twins - one car seat on each arm (which is heavy but do able, just) or one one each hip. It is the 3rd chid that I'm not sure how to manouvre

SHAMELESSLY, and I mean shamelessly, ask people for help/delegate. When stewardesses started rolling their eyes because we weren't as fast as other passengers I just popped a baby into their arms and a bag for good measure and asked them to carry her out for me.

Most times people are very helpful when they see you arriving with 3 babies anyway.

Also, going out is great but maybe reduce the times you go to toddler groups - you have your own right there.