anyone with 3 under 3? I need advice

[insywinsyspider]

I've just found out I'm pg with no 3, ds1 will be just 3yrs and ds2 18 months when lo is born - I was estatic when I saw the line on pg test but now panic is starting to set in slightly and I'm wondering how I'll cope.

Does anyone have any top tips? anything I can do now to make the transition easier. DS's due to start sharing a room in the new yr and we're looking for a car that can have 3 baby seats in but thats as far as I've got!

I got 3, but they're 5, 2 and 7 months, let me know if ya wanna chat!!

Oooh I'll watch this thread, in may I will have a 3yr a 14 month old and a new baby!!!!! Am 12weeks now how far are you?

Hello

3boys - yes i'm up for a chat, I'm just getting all homonal and panicky at the moment and stressing dh out so need another listening ear

mumof2andabit - I think I'm 9wks, got my scan on thurs and v nervous about it. Have you had scan?

Mine are older now but I don't know you just cope!!! I didn't go out much unless it was locally with the pushchair, getting them all in & out of the car felt like a lot of hassle at the time.

I think organisations was the key. I used to prepare dinner when the littlies were napping in the afternoon that kind of thing.

I'm 19 wks pregnant, when new baby arrives, i will have a 2 yr old (almost 3) and an 18 month old. Thrilled to be pregnant with number 3, honestly scared stiff about coping with them all.
Know just how you feel, I'm quite organised, so guess i'll just need to get even more organised.

I have 3 little more of a gap (not through choice) DD1 was nearly 4, DD2 2.6yo when DD3 was born. I have a Focus CMAX, Renault Scenic, Citroen Picasso, Corolla Verso will aslo fit 3 across the back. DD3 is now 4 months and yes it is very hard but also very enjoyable in that it's great they will be so close in age.

Lower your standards re housework, I used to be really tidy now I'm less so. Get a good double buggy, I'm lucky in that DD1 goes to nursery 5 mornings a week and DD2 three so that helps.

Yup- Mine were just 3yrs, 22mths and newborn. Now they are 3.5, 2yr 4mths and 6mths.

It's easier than when no.2 was born!

Don't panic it really isn't that bad, No 3 slots in with the routine and the other 2 anuse each other and there's no jealousy as they already have to compete for attention

Ask any questions!

Also CONGRATULATIONS!

we have a VW Touran- I love it. (Had a Ford Galaxy- don't get one, it was always breaking down)

I had my scan on tuesday all is well am looking rather bumpy though and am not looking forward to telling anti-big family relatives, not that I actually think 3 is a big family. Any advice?

Sod them! It's none of their business. Having three (or four) is lovely. Just looking at this thread cos am thinking of having another when my twins are two [mad woman emoticon].

Just hope it's not another set of twins !!

insywinsyspider congratulations deep breath you will be fine

It will be hard work but they'll get bigger! A babysling, bf & co-sleeping saved me but respect that everyone makes their own parenting choices

My 3rd was born exactly 3 years and one week after my first, with my second in between.

It was great, and still is.

I had a twin buggy, the type with one seat in front of the other and the three year old would perch side saddle if he got tired on longer walks.

A lot of people think the younger two are twins.

Have always had an ordinary car, not a people carrier or a big one.

It is not really that big a deal

Well I had 3 under 5, but DD1 has SN's so had the development age of a 2/3 year old, when DD3 was born, and DD2 was 2 when DD3 was born.

I have a Toyota Rav4 which had 3 car seats in the back, proper carseats, not boosters. And I had an E3 for DD1 and DD2 and put DD3 in a sling, and then we got another single buggy for when DP was with us and he'd push DD1 in the single and DD2 & 3 would go in the E£ buggy.

We found it easier when dc3 arrived then dc2. Are approx 19month gap between each of ours ages 5, 3.5, 22months and 3 months (on no 4 now). It also helps to think ahead, try not to take on too much and don't panic now, children are adaptable and change very quickly so wil be able to do more when the baby arrives then they can now IYSWIM.
And don't worry about what people think, my mum was horrified that we had more than 2 and she still makes comments about having them close in age.

thanks everyone - I'm so glad its not just me thats had some negative/unreadable responses from close family when we've told them, we've only told parents and brothers but they've been supprised - I had PND with ds1 and ds2 has been a dream compared to him but my MIL has commented already about 'how will I cope?' she was probably being nice but it came across like she thinks I can't (she had 2 btw as did my mum - both dh and me are 15 mo apart from our brothers so small age gaps not a prob but 3 is seen as a big family) so I'm afraid no advice mumof2andabit! I think I'm telling everyone and it same breath telling them it was a supprise but VERY planned - I have already been asked if dc was a 'suprise' (when I know if they are asking 'mistake' ) and congrats on scan glad all was well

neenztwinz - at possibility of two sets of twins, do they run in your family? although how lonvely for your dc's to be two sets of two

cupsoftea - you've just reminded me that co-sleeping got me though first 6 wks and sling and bfeeding a lot longer! although I did find bfeeding v hard to establish which almost made me stop a few times which I never felt like with ds1, ds2 learnt how to stay latched on whilst I extracted ds1 from current bit of mayhem he was causing - how did you find it 3rd time round?

thatsnotmymonster - we're considering the touran, BIL thinks s-max is fab but lives in diff world re money so I think its prob too expensive for us

Thomcat - we've got a phil n teds too, I keep leaving the second seat off now and ds1 is getting much better at walking longer distances, not sure it can have a buggy board but I think I'll need a umberella fold buggy, buggy board and sling for the bus anyway!

so did you not do anything else to help? like I've said we're getting ds1 to walk more and he's fully potty trained now (ds2 was 4 wks when he decided no more nappies as baby needed them so I'm hoping ds2 does same thing!) they'll also be going into the same room in the new year, bottles are out for ds2 at christmas....

think I'm worried about having them all at home too ds1 doesn't start pre school till sept (baby due june) how do you keep them all entertained??

cargirl - not ideal I live in a village so am dreading being stuck in house all day as its an hours walk to play group if I don't use the car

sweetkitty - I think I have v low standards already after ds2! I'm not going to be able to afford childcare for both boys but thinking we could stretch to a cleaner - works out cheaper than a childminder or nursery and will take some of the pressure off

diddle - when are you due? come and join me I'm scared stiff too!

i'm 39 weeks pg with 3rd dd. my oldest is 3.8 months and little one is 2.

i really hope i can continue working full time!

my dd1 and dd2 goto (the same nursery), they are great friends and the happiest moments for me are when they play with eachother. i hope dd3 will fit in to that.

when dd2 was 1 year old, i looked back at the first year with two babies, and realized it had been incredibly hard and felt 'i dont know how i had the energy to do that' and 'thank g-d thats over with!'. and here i am about to do it again YIKES......

i meant 3 yrs 8 months

I nannied for a mum who had twins of six months and a 3year old.

She was the most laid back and chilled out person I've ever met and I think this was how she survived!

I often left at the end of a shift thinking (if the kids were up or sick, as they seemed to be quite frequently) L'll have been working for 24 hours straiShe never seemed frazzled and was really (cheese emoticon) inspirational in terms of how she managed the kids, never frazzled or stressed, think she just thought oh wel better get on with it kind of thing?

Hi I've got 3 , DS was 2y7m DD1 was 1y7m when DD2 was born so three under 2,7! It was, and still is very hectic but I love it! If my mum takes one for an afternoon it seems far too quiet!
I would echo the others, try and be a bit more relaxed r.e. housework esp in the early days.I gave up ironing!
Cooking the evening meal in the afternoon while baby naps always helped me as 4.30-5.30 was always the crying hour in our house! They are fab friends now and play really well together, people always thought we were mad to have them so close but it worked for us! Good luck, enjoy them! x

insy I promise you it's not that big a deal

jasper - I think its one of those things that when you've been there and done it you think 'that wasn't so bad and we survived' but I haven't done it yet and need somewhere to come and stress a little like I said my family reaction so far hasn't been overwhelmingly positive so I'm not going to tell them my concerns because they'll prob just agree!

Insy You are probably right but don't stress too much!

There is a lot of joy in having a close aged gang of kids. It is a unique experience. try to relish it and not dread it.

Even now they are 9,8, and 6 I love the small united tribe aspect!