Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6

Original poster

If you've got three or more kids

128 replies

Mog · 24/08/2007 21:33

just how exhausted are you? I feel completely done in at the moment. dh is working away from home and have children of 6, 4.5 and 3. Is this normal? Just feel there is never a moment spent not meeting their needs.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

kittywits · 27/08/2007 09:28

Good luck ggg, 6 is hard work!

niceglasses · 27/08/2007 09:39

ggg - didn't know you were pg. Congrats. So pleased for you. Lovely. I don't know if you remember me from a couple of summers ago - I think you were going to send your eldest dd over. Often think of you.

Very best regards

ggglimpopo · 27/08/2007 09:40

Yes, I do remember you niceglasses! How are you getting on?

And thank you.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Families General parenting

niceglasses · 27/08/2007 09:44

ps - I have 3. Would like one more, but am worried about well, effect on me really. I have been on ADs for a wee while, feel more emotionally exhausted than physically. For me, its the never getting anything finished, all is left half done, never having any time to yourself (and I have come to realise I am a person who likes a bit of time) - othere than when they go to bed and then you are cream crackered.

Mind you mine are very close - 6,4,3.

Having said all that, I'm very happy I've done it. They can be great pals, esp the younger two (when they aren't killing each other)

Original poster

Mog · 27/08/2007 09:45

It's good to hear others feel the same.
I already do the exercise thing. Run three times a week and that helps me energy wise most of the time.
I think, as some posters have mentioned, it's the doing it on your own that's the real killer. It is so much easier when dh is at home. Hats off to the single mum posters who never get that break.
I could never do 4 though, but like someone said I would like to be the type of person who could.
How do you all cope with the housework? Mine are like three little tornadoes through the house. I try and fight the tsunami of toys cluttering the place but it's a losing battle. Two of mine are boys and they are definitely worse at the mess thing.

OP posts:

niceglasses · 27/08/2007 09:49

I'm well thanks gg. Sort of suffering from holidayitis, but fine really.

Keep in touch, I always look out for new from you, though I don't post too much these days.

Wills · 27/08/2007 09:55

I ADORE having 3 we recently moved to a larger house (in a poorer area) and one of the downsides is that they have more room to spread the mess . I combat it by not allowing them into the living room only the family room (which is also the kitchen etc). When we first moved in my dh drew up plans to convert it from a bungalow to a chalet with an additional 5 rooms and 3 bathrooms and all I could think about was all those extra rooms to keep tidy/clean. Luckily (or unluckily if you're taking my dh's view) we haven't got the money to do it. My dh also works very long hours (since we moved as its a 4 hour commute) but I've found that his lack of hands on during the week has made him less tolerant of the kids at the weekend and I spend a lot of the time smoothing issues over. He's also incredibly messy. Sometimes to be honest I find it easier when its just me with the kids.

The thing I've found that helped moving from 2 kids to 3 has been routine. (Oh and early bed times!).

quadrophenia · 27/08/2007 10:02

hmmm I have four kids, and yes the demands are constant, they are all very close in age though (three years between all four). Consequently life is tiring and quite recently I've been feeling a bit short fused but I think thats mainly to do with the holidays.
What i hat about having four kids is that others often forget or don't appreciate what hard work it is, so recently someone scoffed at ma about how i do my washing, said she does all hers and has it dry and hung back up in a weekend. Well yes so would i if i had one child! Also thye expense have just had to pay out for four childrens uniforms for the first time OMFG

FioFio · 27/08/2007 10:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

ggglimpopo · 27/08/2007 10:17

It'll be a doddle Fio

nailpolish · 27/08/2007 10:20

fio you will be fine
you have a lovely attitude to life - and a lovely nature
itll be ok

ggglimpopo · 27/08/2007 10:22

Fio - I reckon the worst bit will be when the baby is sweetly asleep and dd and ds are being angelic and dh is happily watching tv and you start thinking "I would love a fourth....."

FioFio · 27/08/2007 10:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

kittywits · 27/08/2007 10:26

iI'm having to fight away urges to have yet another, a 7th My 4th month old ds3 is a screamer, I'm absolutely dog tired. but there is still a yearning... however, this time I shall NOT give in to it. no.... no!

ggglimpopo · 27/08/2007 10:27

How old is your oldest kittywitts?

kittywits · 27/08/2007 10:28

He was 9 last week!

ggglimpopo · 27/08/2007 10:29

I find the younger ones much much easier than the teenagers.

teenagers are a natural contraceptive.

nailpolish · 27/08/2007 10:32

i want another one

kittywits · 27/08/2007 10:36

What about yours ggg, how old are they?

ggglimpopo · 27/08/2007 10:38

dd 18, DD16, dd11, ds8. My two year old daughter died in January.

I also have stepson of 18.

kittywits · 27/08/2007 11:11

I'm very , very sorry

chocolatedot · 27/08/2007 11:20

Wills, I echo your sentiments. I have three (8,5 and 3) and have spent the summer in the country while DH works in London. Overall I find it easier being on my own with them. He works long hours anyway and when its just us I feel under less pressure to keep the house tidy, don't feel I have to cook an elaborate meal and we can also eat when it suits us rather than waiting for him to get in from work. My DH is by no means a tyrant - I just feel that if he has been at work all day he should walk not have to come home to a big mess and should also have a nice supper.

I do notice though that when he hasn't been with them all week his fuse is much shorter.

For me the only downside of being on my own is the lack of adult company and I get very bored in the evenings.

gingeme · 27/08/2007 11:25

I have 4 boys and am currently pregnant with my 5th baby (scan tomm gonna find out the flavour). My two eldest have lived with their Dad since January but I had them stay here for 3 weeks of the summer hols and dont think Ive recovered yet
I always said Id like a big family as I think other ladies have said its lovely when they all get on and play together. At home I have a 3.4 year old and a ten month old and its lovely how they interact and I often catch them giggling together for no apparant reason.
Some days I do feel tottaly knackered but when theyve been bathed and snuggled up in their beds you just have to smile to yourself and say 'they are definately worth it'.

Clary · 27/08/2007 23:48

100times I love yr post about the red car.

I still think I would have had 4 if started earlier (I was 39 when DS2 was born).

Mine are 8, 6, 4 and I too delight in no pushchair, no nappies, no need to point out fire engines.

Toys are getting smaller too!

But oh, oh (couldn't do a 5yr gap after two of 2 yrs, could I?)

ggg I didn't know you were pg either, that's fab!

MrsWeasley · 28/08/2007 00:01

Mine are 6,8,10 &12 and we still all shout train as we go over the railway bridge and oh look aeroplane

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6