Going from 2-3 children

[Scotlass93]

Hello everyone :)
we are due our third baby in 8 short weeks and the stress of going from 2-3 children is now beginning to properly set in..

my second born is a proper little diva and certainly keeps us on our toes, to the point where I’m unsure if a Moses basket would be a safe option for our new baby as she will probably be trying to climb in it (for reference she is 2years and 8months) my eldest is five years old and pretty chilled, he starts school a few weeks before baby no.3 arrives…

just looking for advice on how to manage our fun & crazy 2 year old and also support our 5 year old in the adaption of a new baby coming along :)

thank you in advance xx

Almost 3 years old (she’s now closer to 3 than two) is old enough to not climb in Moses basket with baby. You need to be firm with her that she can’t do this, it’s not safe, and don’t leave her unsupervised around baby if baby is in the basket.

If diva = badly behaved, does what she wants, you need to discipline her properly.

My middle was 2 years and 11 months when baby 3 was born. As soon as I had a newborn, the almost 3 year old felt so grown up.. and she acted all grown up, she loved being a big sister.
i have a bigger gap between DC1 and DC2 than you do.. I also wobbled before 3 was born not knowing how it would all go. My middle didn’t show any signs of jealously or act out in anyway, I think because she is used to always having a sibling anyway. DC3 is almost 3 now so I feel like I have almost (Almost) started to come through the baby fog now. Having 3 is very special to me. We have ups and downs but generally it is amazing. Hard work, crazy at times, we’re super busy with everything but it is lovely. We celebrated and enjoyed DC3 as a family as the two older ones treat the baby like the baby (hopefully not forever). I can’t believe DC3 is almost 3 and due to start pre-school. As you know it all goes so quickly! I am in a blur of remember PE kits, packed lunches, school trips, birthday party presents, after school clubs and potty training. But it is special and amazing (and exhausting!).. don’t sweat the small stuff, you will find your way.

Advice… be organised. I run everything like a military organisation.
lay everything out the night before. Book school dinners half termly if you can. Get a family calendar.
online weekly food shop with a meal plan. Load your car boot with spare clothes/wipes/nappies/suncream and a towel. Always have plasters/antiseptic spray in your bag. Snacks, snacks and more snacks in various bags. Keep clothes in wardrobe the correct size and shoes by the door the correct size. We knew our third was our last so as soon as something was no longer needed or couldn’t be stored to be passed down etc we got it out if the house. Keep a running list in your phone of what clothes/shoes are stored away. I keep stored clothes in the loft so easily forgotten. Re-use everything you can. DC3 has always slept in floral sleeping bags thanks to his two older sisters! He doesn’t care…
good luck!