3 kids. Does it get easier?!?!

[bakingmummy21]

Myself and DH have 3 kids, DD5, DS3 and DS9months and most days feel like I’m in survival mode. On the surface DD and DS1 get out to school / nursery with everything they need and DS2 will start nursery soon as I return to work. But honestly between the toddler tantrums and night wakes I feel broken a lot of the time and a bit down. My parenting is very substandard and there’s too much iPad and Tv time for the kids, I also feel like I’m constantly shouting at or nagging the older two. Nice days out always end up a bit stressful too. DH does plenty to help but baby won’t settle for him at night so I do all the night wakes. We have no grandparents nearby so limited help on hand to get any time for ourselves.

I know as they get older that brings new challenges but does it get easier in a sense of managing them and organising stuff?!

I don’t want to be this parent forever and I feel like I’m just wishing the time away so the night wakes and tantrums are gone but at the same time they’re only small for a short time and I’m missing it because I’m a sleep deprived grumpy mummy 😕. I also need to potty train DS but keep deferring it, he just doesn’t seem ready and I can’t face the battle but it’s got to be done sometime soon.

Or do I just need to suck it up and try and change my mindset and be better at this?

Its not you OP, its fucking hard work. I have two and most days I cry at least once, its very easy to get burnt out. I feel for you because it doesn't sound like you have much support, time away from the kids (and the endless to do list) is a big healer. Do you have any friends that would watch them or help out for a day? or do you know anyone else with similar aged kids that might want to meet up. I always find sharing the load where possible helps hugely.

I literally could have written your post. Mine are similar ages to yours, 5, 4 and 9 months and it is so so hard at the moment. I feel exactly the same right down to the too much screen time and being sleep deprived and grumpy. I shouted, proper shouted yesterday because I was trying to get everyone ready for bed, the baby was whinging and the older 2 had ignored me asking nicely to get their pjs on about 10 times and I lost it. I don’t want to be this sort of mum to them. Solidarity. I’m hoping it gets easier because right now I don’t think it could get much worse!!

I just think the world needs more honesty like this. Mine are older now but I wish someone had said just how damn hard it would be. And it still is at times. Sending you love OP, you've got this.

Same boat; 5, 2 and 3 months and it’s intense.
My dh helps a lot before and after school/childcare as he wfh and that helps a lot. He also does some night wakings with expressed milk.
can you think about sleep training the baby a bit?
Not sure it gets easier but I bloody hope so.

DC are very similar ages and it's it's bloody tough. Go easy on yourself. Let things go that aren't so important; cleaning etc. I do very easy meals and don't feel guilty for having a helping hand by way of frozen bits.
We have no help whatsoever so have a cleaner who comes to take a load of me. Partner works long hours but does breakfast/school, nursery drops and book/bedtime. Baby is my sole responsibility at night; if the older DC wake at night partner will attend to them.
I prioritise my rest time during the day, when baby is sleeping- usually on me, I'm in bed resting too- if sleeping isn't a possibility.
The kids will be fine, do whatever works for you to get through this time! You're doing great!

Yes, it really does. My 3 are 10, 7 and 6. Slightly different scenario in that my 10 year old has additional needs and needs constant supervision but at this point the 6 and 7 year old are very easy. Play together for hours, can get themselves snacks, don't need help going to the toilet, don't need bags of stuff brought out if we're going places, can be brought anywhere and overall are just very easy.

It is very difficult. I have three kids (8 5 and 3 years old). When they get bored, they start arguing and fighting. I have to constantly come up with something to keep them busy. Sometimes I have to let them watch a lot of cartoons so I have free time for myself. But I don't like when they do it a lot. Therefore, I have to come up with activity for kids. I get ideas here wunderkiddy.com/ . There are ideas for crafts, thematic worksheets etc. In short, I try to combine business with pleasure. It is important for me that my kids do not go crazy, and ideally do not sit in front of the TV. And to be honest I just want to take a breath.
It is very difficult having three children.