Life with three kids - practical realities

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As I'm sure many parents do, were a bit on the fence (more towards having another though) about sticking with our lovely two kids or trying for a third.

I'm now 38 so, y'know. Now or never really plus I wouldn't want much more of a bigger age gap. DS1 is 4 3/4 just started school. DS2 is 2 1/4.

How do you find the practical things of dealing with two compared to three? My DH works long hours and we have no family close by. We do have a lovely childminder though who is probably use from 6 months for a couple hours every so often for some respite! And back to work at 1 yr old. I work pt from home.

Anyway I'm a bit nervous about managing 3 kids solo! What is the reality? I'm hopeful that if I was lucky enough to get pregnant maybe after Xmas or so, my eldest would be nearly 6, and younger 3.5 by then - so much more easy to herd about?! Plus eldest will be at school and youngest with childminder couple times a week. So really just the mornings and evenings which could get stressful?

What did you do about holidays and car? Or was it not really an issue? And were weekends any different?

I'm also a bit scared as I feel like we've finally just come out of the baby fog - should we go back there? Sometimes I just really really want to, and other times I remember the exhaustion and not being able to have any time or space to yourself.

Finally are you glad you had three? 😬

I wouldn’t be without my three who are now all in their 30s, happily married, fully employed and have produced my wonderful grandchildren.
I had 3 under four years old, a husband that worked long hours and weekends, was a SAHM (no available childcare back then) and we really were as poor as church mice living in rented property.
But we just got on with it and had some amazing times with lots of laughs. We are all close and have fond memories.
It’s different strokes for different folks but if it’s what you want then you will make it work.
Other opinions are also available but thats how it was for me.
Happy days!!

I’m only 7 weeks in but very happy with my 3 (the older children are 6 and 2).

The main differences are:

• swapped our car at a dealership to get one that fits 3 car seats
• bought a double buggy
• I get up earlier in order to get the school run done on time
• we sometimes do separate things for part of the weekend if it would be too tricky to take all 3 (eg taking the older children to activities and birthday parties)

It helps that baby is very content and seems to enjoy going out and watching what older siblings do.

It's not the baby stage that's hard, it's when they're all at school and fitting in all the after school activities!

The baby days were fine. I knew what I was doing. It gets harder and harder. The older they get, the more they need from you: time, money, head space. Obviously I’d not send number 3 back, he’s a delight. But it’s hard. My gaps are 2yrs 9months each time. My 8 year old’s needs are so different from my 3 year olds. DH works Saturdays and bank hols. Is out from 7-7. My family are not loads of help (they’re hugely helpful in an emergency though, which is a big plus). His family are not local. Money doesn’t allow for much help with children (I do have a cleaner). I feel spread very thin. Very little time for anything other than keeping them alive and in the right place at the right time. In 2 years the youngest will start school. Maybe it’ll get easier then....

Then there’s practical stuff like a car that takes 3 child seats, hotel rooms, bedrooms. Having two adults to 3 kids so you’re out numbered and cannot give them much 1to1 time.

Place marking as wondering the same x