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Parenting

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Original poster

Does anyone have coping strategies for 3 under 3? PLEASE!

15 replies

BrummieOnTheRun · 06/02/2007 21:09

Our 3rd baby is due in 4 weeks, and I'm worried about coping. I'll have some support for the first couple of weeks, then it's just me (and DH who works). Having 2 young children was difficult...this feels like an impending car crash.

Can anyone share their top tips on dealing with them all in the early days, surviving tiredness, getting out (how do you get the eldest to walk when there's no longer room in the Phil & Teds, and how do you fit 3 car seats in a normal car?!) I guess I should have thought about this approx 8 months ago!

DD is just 3, DS is just 1. OMG what have I done!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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juuule · 06/02/2007 21:24

First of all 'DON'T PANIC' It will all work out. I had 2y7m, 15m and new baby. We had to get out every morning to take 5yo to school. This had its good point in that it got us out of the house at least twice a day. Suggestions for out and about - Keep the double for your 3yo and 1yo and use a sling for a few months for baby. I have used a silver cross tandam and the 2yo walked but got in with the 15mo when tired. Bit of a crush but they managed. I also had a side by side twin pushchair with a big shopping basket area underneath that the older of the 3 sat in when tired of walking You find ways of doing things. And I loved having them all small together. You'll be fine.

LoveMyGirls · 06/02/2007 21:30

Can't really talk from a parent pov as there is 6 years between my girls but i am a childminder and i am currently caring for 3 under 18mths (7 til 2) and 3 under 3 (3 til 6) and although i do have a triple pushchair i've found it easier to use the double and make the eldest walk, though we don't go far, in your situation i would put the youngest 2 in a pushchair and get the oldest child a buggy board for when they get tired of walking. hth a bit, i would add more but dp is nagging me to go to bed...ill pop back tomorrow. Stop panicking you will cope and they don't stay little for long.

mankyscotslass · 06/02/2007 21:35

Just wanted to say, you will be FINE...take a bit of adjusting, but it will be ok.
Like Juule said, you find ways that work for you. DS was 3 and DD 22mths when DS arrived....nursery run every day, but I found that being organised in the morning, leaving things out the night before really helped. Struggled a bit at first as the baby loved his boobies and was permanently attached for the first 4 mths, but i got a ring sling that gave me loads more freedom, and left room in the buggy for the eldest on his tired days. DH always got the older kids breakfasted while the baby fed (early risers) We were ok with the car seats as had a gas guzzling mpv, but i am sure others manage. Take a deep breath ......Good luck

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Original poster

BrummieOnTheRun · 06/02/2007 22:00

Thanks so much for the advice...you all seem quite sane so maybe it's not a direct route to the madhouse . At least I'll be fit!

LMG - I'm going to have to research the buggy board idea because the Phil & Teds is an awkward shape...not sure there's room for one unless you have extendable arms!

I'd be interested to know if it was easier/harder for the kids to accept the new baby 3rd time around? That added to problems in the early days last time. Will DD feel less threatened as she has a partner in crime this time?

OP posts:

mankyscotslass · 07/02/2007 09:59

Well, the older two definetely keep each other amused, although i did have to work out how to feed baby and play games or read one handed! I was lucky my oh was great and is very hands on, so all the kids got a lot of attention, but it is a juggling act. THe sling was used a lot in the early days, even though i have a bad back and had a csec....

juuule · 07/02/2007 10:21

I'd just like to say that I really didn't like buggy boards. It made pushing a pushchair very difficult for me, having to bend over a young child to reach the pushchair handles. Also, you have to modify your stride to attempt not to stand on the board yourself. The one I got didn't last long although I did try to get used to it. I would say see if you can borrow one first to see how you got on with it.

mankyscotslass · 07/02/2007 11:30

i agrre about the buggy board, never got on with them personally, and depends on your child too.....i ended up with a bad back and sore shins with the last buggyboard i tried, the sling was a better option for me.

Original poster

BrummieOnTheRun · 07/02/2007 12:42

am now grinning at idea of kids piled on top of each other in buggy like Chinese State Circus

suspect sense of humour is going to be important, arrrghhh!

OP posts:

julesrose · 07/02/2007 14:35

blimey! Good luck to you...what about a mother's help / au pair / student nanny for a while - just so you can get used to it....

manicmuvvaof3 · 07/02/2007 15:12

Hello Brummie! Just a thought - our local college (in North East tho) places Childcare Students with families who have children/babies under one year. Might be worth checking with your local colleges. Hope this helps and good luck.

wurlywurly · 07/02/2007 15:21

OMG 3 under 3, havent you heard of birth control. i'm only jealous that it took dh 4 years to agree to have another, spose if i want anymore i'd better start working on him now.

fennel · 07/02/2007 15:21

The oldest might be keener on walking if they can push a toy buggy or trolley alongside you. Then you are both "walking your babies".

Also, when I had 3 under 3 (2 of mine and a neice) to look after, the 2.5 year old would ride a trike more willingly than walking.

3 seats go in most "normal" cars, we've found. if you just wedge them in.

fennel · 07/02/2007 15:23

Go out to parent and toddler groups, or soft-play areas, where all the children are contained and can't wander off under a car or get lost. (I used to get childminder discount at the local soft play with 3 small children).

Don't hang out too much with people with just one, they'll move too fast and you will feel irritated. there was a recent thread on this. Stick to the similarly-encumbered and you can all flop about tiredly together.

fennel · 07/02/2007 15:27

And remember even when it's tough it's very nice for them to have siblings close in age, I felt guilty having 3 close together as I felt my oldest was being a bit neglected, but she loves her little sisters and wants more. She would like me to keep having them at the rate of one a year .

Original poster

BrummieOnTheRun · 07/02/2007 15:32

manicmuvva, great suggestion on the colleges. will investigate immediately!

fennel, DD has one of those toy buggies...and it has room for my shopping! genius idea.

wurlywurly & julesrose: birth control and discussions with DPs? is THAT how you stop it??

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