2 vs 3 children

[siaa]

Can those with 3 children please tell me the main differences between life with 2 vs life with 3? Anything massive to think about before making the leap? And has it been difficult with 3?

It’s brilliant, our 3rd is much easier because she quickly learnt from the other 2 eg sitting at the table, general routines etc. Factor in the age of the older children, will they be independent, will they be able to ‘help’ I find the older 2 will watch the youngest for 5 mins while I get dressed for example - makes all the difference.

Cons - you’ll always be outnumbered, you’ll probably never really have a break as even if your other half takes the older children out somewhere you’ll still be with the 3rd child. It’s hard dragging the 3rd child to activities eg swimming lessons for the older kids. You do get used to it though, I’d say 2 to 3 children is much easier than 1 to 2 children.

The main question is - would you regret not having a 3rd?

What would it be like with 3 toddlers? 3 teenagers? Etc

Only you can really answer that

Also holidays - most hotels only for families of 4, so how important is it to you to get away? Could you afford 2 hotel rooms etc?

It really depends what your third child is like. And if you have twins!

Going from 2 to 3 has been much easier than 1 to 2. Everyone in the house fusses over and adores the baby.

There is never, ever, ever a break.

Make sure your car works in a sensible fashion with 3 car seats!

Remember teenagers are expensive

Thanks for the replies everyone.

@Sarah62 holidays is one of the things I was thinking might be made difficult? How have you found it? x

Fine so far but our youngest is only 2. So far we’ve done things like hire a cottage (uk holiday) and stay in family room at premier inn (was a big room and youngest had travel cot)

Not sure what we will do next year though now the youngest will need a bed. I guess hire a holiday house with 3 bedrooms? But it dues make it more expensive

One thing I didn’t think of until recently was childcare costs, with 3 children even all of them in school we would need breakfast and after school club - doesn’t make financial sense to work at the moment unfortunately (that wasn’t the only reason I gave up my job)

I think deep down you know if you want another, so then you should go for it, the rest will fall in to place, albeit with some changes, I’d much rather have our youngest child than be able to go on more holidays etc. The most amazing thing is seeing the eldest children fall in love with the toddler

@Sarah62 that's how I feel too, would rather have a bigger family and then just let everything else fall into place, however it chooses to do so! x

Helping with three lots of homework is a nightmare.
Someone is always annoying someone else.
Someone is always moaning about a choice that has been made [eg what’s for dinner).
There’s always someone shouting for you.

On the plus side the little one is cute and gives great hugs. Life with two was so much easier though.

@Badgerstripe that must be tiring! I guess once they're older and more independent it will ease. I just think of how lovely it will be when they're grown up and you have a nice big family with loads of grandchildren and love

A friend of mine has 2 siblings, none of them have children and all now in late 50s, so no guarantee there will be grandchildren even if you have 3 children.

I also foresee our children will have fewer children unless there is a miracle in respect of climate change