Newborn with school age older dcs?

[RueLaChesty]

So DP and I have always said we would have a 3rd when dd's were in school, currently 2.4yo and 9mo.

But I was reading a thread and someone made a comment about doing the school run with a newborn which made me think...

So just wondering what experiences people had with newborns and school age kids etc? Was it harder trying to get into a routine with a newborn as I imagine it would be quite difficult coinciding feedings etc.

Or did you find it easier when older dcs were at school?

Nice and easy

Newborn got lots of fresh air doing numerous school runs, being in the pram helped him sleep loads

Older ones at school leaving lots of nice lying-on-the-sofa time with snuggly newborn

My eldest two were at school when dd3 came along.
To be honest the baby just goes with the flow and you adapt a routine around school time.

It should work out really well for the reasons NotnowBernard has mentioned.

Although DS1 was only 2.4 when DS2 arrived, he was still in nursery 4 days a week so kind of a 'school run' - I used to love walking him to and from nursery every day - loved the fresh air, it got me up and about in the mornings etc. Also, gave plenty of 1-2-1 time with the younger DC too.

I guess the only difference is that I didn't have to be at nursery for any particular time (unlike school) which did take the pressure off in the mornings although I always seemed ready to leave the house at the same time anyway.

Plan your time in the morning, get into a routine and it will be good

my eldest was at school when ds arrived. He fitted in fine to the school run routine. He tended to nap on the way home from school in the morning, and the way to school in the morning.

As long as you are happy with them napping in the pram/car (we have to use the car nearest school to our village 4 miles away!)it's fine.

Now he is older he loves waiting in the playground for his sister and is a gregarious little chap who entertains all the other parents!

Good to hear as I think if I was to have another before dd1 went to school I'd want it to be 6 months before so she had time with new baby and didn't feel pushed out.

But I think that timescale might kill me!

I've done newborn with school age (or thereabouts) twice, and each time it's worked out fine - the baby (because they have to) fits in with school runs timings, and you get plenty of snuggles with the baby while the older one is at school.

It gets slightly more complicated when you have to juggle a 9yo, a 4 yo and a baby, as the littlest one ends up being dragged along to the older ones activities all the time, but it evens out at the other end when the bigger one(s) can babysit on demand .

TBH I have no idea how people cope with more than one pre-schooler at a time, although bigger age gaps have their drawbacks (yes DD2, I know you hate playing Barbies with DD3, but please, just for five mintes then she'll stop nagging you ), it's a lot easier when they can understand that yes, the baby is being annoying, but it's becasue they are a baby and that's what they do, look, she's looking at you and smiling, oh she loves her big sister.....

Each age gap has it's difficulties, but I found a baby fitted quite easily into school runs.

It was way easier with a newborn than a fiestly toddler who wants to break free all the time I can tell you

I've done newborn and school age chilren..

dd1 was in year 2 and dd2 in reception when dd3 was born and then later dd1 was in year 5, dd2 in year 3 and dd3 in preschool when ds was born.

Your newborn is forced into a routine as you've got school runs to do. With my older two we weren't so focussed on routine and went with the flow a bit, but when you're adding a new baby into existing schedules you can't do that.

I had put the baby in a sling for school runs when they were very little and it all seemed to work pretty well :)

oh and when ds was born all three dds were at different schools, as the preschool for dd3 was separate from lower school for dd2 and middle school for dd1. I did lots of school runs!

My school mum friends were a god send for helping with the school run.
DD3 had a tendency to wait for me to put her snowsuit on & THEN throw up all over her carseat.
And we had the odd night of no sleep where I looked like the living dead & didn't dare go on the school run

I do struggle with school plays, assembly & church because DD3 is now only 2 & hates all of the above.

And as from this April I will be doing 6 trips to & from school a day.
9.15
11.45
3.15

and then there is all the afterschool clubs.

All the children are envious of DD1 & 2 having a "baby" & lot's of playdates come to our house & end up playing with DD3

Actually to be perfectly honest with you I didn't do it with a newborn

Dh was away Sunday night to Friday night (every week) when ds2 was born. I'd had a c section so driving/walking to school etc wasn't an immediate option, but as life had to go on my darling mum came every Monday to Friday for the first 4 weeks. I was very spoilt.

After that I did it all on my own though. It's true what pp said about the babe being 'forced into' a routine to some extent, but he doesn't seem adversely affected by it.

Am planning on doing it again when ds2 is in school btw, but not told dh yet

I think it's easier because you are all forced into a routine (DS2 was 5 weeks when DS1 started reception).

There were clear landmarks to the day whereas when DS1 was born it was quite easy to wander around in your PJs all day and to be honest for me that's when depression has the potential to raise it's ugly head.

Same thing with going back to work. There was a clear routine for everyone which made things much easier although it is hard work of course.