Tips for getting ready for 3 under 5.

[Skimty]

I am currently 15 weeks with DC3. DS will be 4.1 and DD will be 2.0 on arrival! DS will be at nursery every morning and DD will be at playgroup 2 mornings a week. I don't have much family help and DH is out of the house from 7-7 although I do have a cleaner (I know, there should be a very lucky emoticon!)

I'm really excited about it being the five of us. I remember reading on here about it being like a big circle rather than a square which makes me feel lovely inside. I'm also really lucky because DD and DS play nicely togther. DS is also quite sensible and helpful .

Is there anything I can do to get ready? I was thinking things like cooking meals in advance and freezing, naming the winter coats in August etc. I also have to remember to do DS' application for schools as it's due in the week DC3 is due.

I had 3 under 3.5 (when DD was born DS1 was 3.4 and DS2 was 20 months).

It can be hard work, especially getting everyone ready for school runs etc!

My best tip is to be organised, lay out everyone's clothes the night before etc. I also found that cooking earlier in the day when teh older ones were out of the house (eg casseroles in the slow cooker, or a lasagne ready prepared so that it can just be shoved into the oven) worked better than trying to start cooking later in the day when everyone (including me) was tired and grumpy!

Take every advantage of DS being helpful, my DS1 started off as chief nappy fetcher, and has now just settled his little sister into FT school. He loves helping out and is almost a third parent to her, I really hope they stay this close once they are grown up.

Also, don't get stressed about everything being perfect. It won't be, and the advantage of being a third time mum is that you are expected to have developed a slovenly laid back approach to it all

Firstly, congratulations on your PG! I had 3 under 5 as well. DS had just started reception, DS2 was in nursery 2 days a week and my DH also worked 7-7 most days!

It is the best thing ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DC3 becomes a bit of a buggy/car seat baby at first, but once the older kids are in school/nursery we do lots of fun things!

The hardest thing for me though is the mornings - trying to get 3 kids up, washed, fed, dressed and at school was/is a nightmare!!!

The positives far outweigh the negatives though.

Good Luck

Thanks for all your tips. I am really excited about it though slightly worried about sleep as DS didn't sleep through until about 2.5 and DD still isn't very reliable! Never mind, I'm used to being tired!

I have no tips whatsoever, but just wanted to say good luck.

I am watching your thread with interest, as I am due dc3 in July when dd1 will be 4.4 and dd2 will be 3.2.

The school run thing is panicking me a bit, as dd1 will be starting primary in Sept, dd2 will be starting preschool and I don't drive.

How exciting. It is wonderful being a mommy of 3, i had 3 under 3 when ds3 was born and they are now 3,2 and 1.

The key to sanity is "don't sweat the small stuff" let as many things pass over you as possible.

Try and keep your current 2 children in a similar routine to now, and be organised. I'm very much like the previous posters, getting things ready the night before, cooking earlier, and using my slow cooker.

It is hard hard work, but all children have their difficult days, don't put too much pressure on yourself and you'll be fine

enjoy

Yeah don't plan to cook anything more complicated than pasta and ketchup after you get back from school run. I third the doing casseroles etc. Also get a playpen for when youngest is toddling and ruining the older ones little games.

I am knackered everynight after bedtime adn mine are now 6, 3 and 1. I am much grumpier and shoutier. My eldest reckons she can remember life before DS adn it was much calmer!

Congrats though is lovely when they all have little moments togehter.