Advice from parents with 3 children please

[Chelseajunior]

I'm 33, have a 9 year old, 6month old and now 8 weeks pregnant (all three planned).
I'm starting to panic about how hard it's going to be-probably hormones! Is anyone in the same situation as me? Thanks in advance

I’m in a similar situation! I have a DD (4) and Ds (20months) and am 9 weeks pregnant. All planned pregnancies as well.

I am excited but I am very worried about how I will cope with 3 under 5. I’ve been really under the weather with morning sickness and tiredness so been feeling very guilty about that too, as I havnt been giving my DC the attention they deserve.

I can’t offer you advice for managing 3 children but I wanted to hand hold and say we will manage because somehow mums always do. I also figure that the very difficult early days will pass and when they are all older and sitting round the dinner table the house will be full and happy... that’s what am focusing on, especially when I’ve got my head down the toilet hahaha

I was 4 years ago. They’re now 11, 5 and 4.

First year is heavy going but it gets easier after that! Totally worth it too.

Mine are now 12, 9 and 6. It was rough when they were 6, 3 and 1, but as they got older it has been better and better...they are great together, don't fight often and I'm now having number four!

I have an 8 year old, soon to be 7 year old, 4 year old & I'm 37 weeks with #4. Wouldn't change it for the world. 😊

I had a newborn, 20 month and 4 year old. It was hard, but then a little baby in the family will always be hard, so our thinking was to jump in and have them close together. Going in with realistic expectations is easier now you know what to expect - we didn't over commit socially, didn't push ourselves to go far from our local area, paid for childcare at times to relieve pressure etc. Glad we did it this way as I love seeing them growing up together. Good luck & have fun

It’s lovely to hear all these positive stories! I have a 3.5yo, 21mo and am 30w pregnant with no. 3! I too am worried about how I’ll have the energy and patience to cope with 3 under 4, especially as DC2 is a terrible sleeper. We also don’t have any family nearby having emigrated. Eek! I’m convincing myself that somehow I’ll manage (as there isn’t any choice!)

Mine are now 12, 10 and 5. All planned. No regrets I love having 3. They get on great and are very close. The toughest stage with 3 was when the youngest was a toddler/preschooler and the other 2 were in school - different childcare and pickups etc. Now they’re all in school and past that very intensive young child stage it’s much more manageable.

I have DD 4, DS 20M, and a DS 16 days old it's not easy having 3 under 5 but it's amazing and even though the oldest 2 do nothing but argue and fight I wouldn't change it for the world. Even though there is now a newborn in the house I really wouldn't know it until he wakes for a feed, he does a lot of sleeping so I can get on with what needs to be done. In all honesty at the minute having 3 is just the same as having 2 in my opinion.

I'm in the same boat and also feeling anxious! I have 5 year old 4 year old and 5 weeks pregnant. I am excited but nervous to the change that will come however my 5 and 4 year old are extremely close and I loved having 3 siblings growing up x

Well, it did occur to me when pregnant with #3 (not planned) we as parents would be outnumbered. I won't lie, there was sometimes problems juggling different activities, after all two parents can't be in three places at once, but overall we managed. The older children learned it was expected they help out with the younger, the younger learned the elder children had different privileges earned with age. We had issues with room sharing, travelling was often difficult (& expensive) but we wouldn't change a thing. We have had a crazy loud house, filled with animals, kids and over the years all their friends. House was/is rarely tidy, dust reigned supreme, I gave up ironing years ago and we probably served more fast food than we should have, but the laughter and the memories are all worth it. Truthfully, if age (and my husband) wasn't against me, I would have tried for #4

I am nine weeks pregnant, and have a 7 year old and a three year old. It’s hard going right now because I feel awful and haven’t told them yet, so they have no sympathy. However I think it will be fine - I found my second such an easy baby, as I knew what I was doing. Surely it will be even easier this time? And of course the older ones do go off and play now, whereas last time my then three year old wanted me to play with him. I was an only child and I feel so happy for my kids that they won’t have the lonely childhood I did.

We had a new born, an 18 month old, and a just turned 3 year old. Eldest is now ten. My main tip would be get organised now before number three comes. We got nap times in sync- though you won’t ahve to to op with a 9 year old! But might be worth having specific nap time so that eventually the younger two sleep at the same time to give you a break. Make your life as easy as you can- I wish we had got a cleaner when they were tiny. Ours are so good together now and I’m so glad we have three it can be tough and exhausting when they are small get as much help as you can. It’s really worth it though. Good luck

I had a 2 (nearly 3) year old, 1 (nearly 2) year old when dc3 was born. Get as organised as you can before baby arrives, relax and try not to stress. I found it hard going from 2 to 3, this year has been hard but had other stuff going on adding to the mix. They are all close and it is a lot of fun so much that I am pregnant with dc4, unexpected and will have 4 under 5. Take help when you can or if you can, good luck, and enjoy.

I’m also expecting number three, but my older two are twins, who will be just over three when their baby sister arrives (due on Christmas Day - whoops). I’m a little panicked about how we’ll manage once we’re outnumbered, but I hope that having each other to play with will make the transition easier for my boys. Also, I had so many negative comments before they were born about how difficult it would be with twins and, although it hasn’t been easy, it really has been fine. It’s made me feel much more laid-back this time around because I’ve realised that we’ll have our challenges, but we’ll all make it work together.

I had a 9 year old and a 21 month old when my youngest was born. I also had an older child who turned 18 a week after his birth!

The first year was hard, I now feel like the little ones tag team so they fight each other, seem take it in turns to misbehave etc .

They are now 15,7 and 5 (and 23 with his own dc) the older two have always been fantastic with the little ones, especially my 15 year old

My youngest one has asd though so that throws more challenges our way

Mine are 6, 4 and 1. Tough but worth it. Get help with cleaning and housework!

I've got 3 and number 4 is on his way they are 6, 4 and 2. It's hard work and i can understand why you feel that way as I'm wondering how I will cope,but hopefully he will fit in perfectly. My youngest is really hard work, very strong willed. So I'm hoping this little one is not the same.