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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

3 kids advice?

20 replies

TiredMum97 · 22/06/2025 13:56

Hello!

So today I’ve found out I am pregnant, complete shock as we’re not TTC and I actually can’t pin point when I would have become pregnant and doing the deed for me and my partner is very little more recently due to clingy kids 😂 but that’s a story for another day!

My eldest daughter will be 6 in January and my youngest daughter will be 5 next march, how difficult will a 3rd be with these age gaps? We didn’t plan on a 3rd as we’ve been living quite comfortably with our 2 girls and recently got a puppy so kids were off the cards, but I suppose the world works in mysterious ways!

Any advice would be great for a shocked mama!!

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ToClimb · 22/06/2025 14:09

I found I didn't have enough hands for 3!! 🤣 You have to get used to losing control.

TiredMum97 · 22/06/2025 14:13

@ToClimboh I bet haha. I just hope that with the 5 year age gap between my youngest and the baby it may not be as traumatic as having toddlers 😂 toddler stage for me was the worst 🫠

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ByDreamyMintNewt · 22/06/2025 15:37

Congratulations! My eldest was just turned 6 and middle was about to turn 4 when I had my baby. So far it's been a lovely age gap. The big two both absolutely adore the little one and are amazed by everything he does. I can actually turn my back for a minute with him too and know that it will be ok.

He's also a very chilled and happy little thing. I think it's because he's so used to getting dragged along to his siblings' events that he's learned to go with the flow.

I did freak out during my pregnancy and thought it'd all be disastrous, bit actually so far I'm very happy with my little crew.

TiredMum97 · 22/06/2025 17:17

@ByDreamyMintNewtthis is refreshing to see, my girls, although have their moments, are 90% of the time really good. My eldest has been desperate for me to be pregnant for months and funnily enough kept telling me I was in the last few weeks and convinced I had a baby in my tummy (6th sense? 😂) I’m a little scared about the financial side as things are SO expensive now compared to when I had my last two, but everyone manages some how in the end so I’m not going to stress too much!

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RebeccaRedhat · 23/06/2025 18:19

My big 2 were 6.5 and just turned 4 when my littlest one arrived.
It was hard keeping on top of the tidying and washing/ironing, but the rest of it was ok!
Organisation is your best friend. Night before get out clothes, make packed lunches etc. Eldest can definitely get ready themselves, younger one will probably need some help.
You are constantly chasing your tail, but my little is 9 now and she and her older sister are best friends.

Mrsbunnychops · 23/06/2025 18:34

Congratulations!! This sounded very similar to me!! Right down to how the heck did I even conceive - I came to the conclusion I was getting a bit older and chucking out eggs at random times of the month 😂.

it was a shock but when that wore off I just got on with it… I actually found it easier than I though, especially once youngest went to school too, I had loads more quality time with number 3 and really treasured those special cuddles and chilled a lot more really! I roped the eldest in (6/12) to help fetch things etc and found the other 2 were old enough to walk everywhere while youngest was in pram / push chair which was fine! He had ready made entertainment too, which he loves - he’s almost 13 now!

Another thing I found was that I knew most of the parenting new baby / toddler / weaning etc so didn’t stress as much.

in fact, I didn’t sweat the small stuff as much in general and I had a lot more perspective on things! I already had some mum friends etc and although most of them didn’t have 3, I didn’t feel the same pressure to HAVE to go to every baby group and coffee morning. I did got yo some baby things but I did feel like all mist of them talked about was first time labour and caring for a baby stuff which I obviously already knew.

I used to enjoy lots of walks, feeding ducks, chattering, little trip around the local shops etc, park etc. he didn’t miss out on the baby groups as went to nursery 2x week once I went back to work.

honesty, although it was a shock (found out on New Year’s Eve too 🙈!!), it was not as hard as I had initially imagined.

also, bonus ready made playmates and still are a tight little bunch.

wishing you loads of luck with it all xx

Wynter25 · 23/06/2025 18:43

My third slotted right in 😊 honestly feels like I only have 2 kids

Wynter25 · 23/06/2025 18:45

I have a 3 Yr old, 1 Yr old and 5 week old. Love it x

Madsciencecovid2020 · 23/06/2025 19:11

No. 3 slotted in nicely , he has 2 big sisters, ages were 4 and 6 . They were helpful. We didn't buy fancy baby stuff as we made do and just purchased the bare essentials . Other than childcare costs child no. 3 wasn't a financial struggle! Make aure your car fits 3 car seats if needed- that was our only issue
Now no. 4 broke the bank and still does bless him..... he is full bingo card neurodiverse and led us tor realise how neurodiverse the older siblings were!!😂
We had a bigger gap for.no.4 as older siblings were 7, 11 and 13.
Three was fabulous and four is equally lovely.
Enjoy have the three children

TiredMum97 · 23/06/2025 19:35

Thanks everyone! Really made me feel better about the situation. My current 2 are actually no bother at all, they are well behaved (90% of the time) We never planned on any more kids, so this little one will definitely be our last but I’m quite excited now the shock as worn off! Just got a lot to prepare for now! Hoping I can get a scan as soon as possible as I’ve literally got no clue how many weeks I am 😂 I don’t think I could be any further than 8/9 weeks though. Here’s to one last time of nappies, milk and bags under the eyes! X

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SheherazadesSpringNonsense · 23/06/2025 19:39

Mine were 6 and 3 when I had number 3 and I agree with those saying you don’t have enough hands - get used to mostly knowing where two of them are and what they are doing and for the third to be a complete wildcard (that was nearly always my middle one). We did have to buy a new car as we couldn’t get three car seats into the back of the previous one but honestly we wouldn’t be without her and I love the dynamic. Mine are now 15, 18 and 21 and tonight they are all at a concert together ❤️

Zezet · 23/06/2025 19:58

We have this age gap! It works very well, youngest is there now. The older two are independent enough that looking after all three of them hadn't been too hard and besotted enough that they don't mind that she is littler and can't always follow. They are very protective and bossy of her, and she is bossy right back.

Didn't plan the age gap with much thought, worked out brilliantly.

JustMeAndTheFish · 23/06/2025 20:01

My twins were 4 when my third arrived - very planned for. So I had three under 5. Have to say that my memory is a bit vague of those early years but it all just falls into place and I wouldn’t have changed a thing.

Mamma1982 · 23/06/2025 21:58

My boys were 4 and 19 months when my third son arrived. I had to go back to work full time after each of them, so my third was 7 months old when I returned to work. It’s a juggling act, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. My DH and I Iove them dearly and they love each other so much too! We didn’t upgrade the cars as we couldn’t afford to do so. It’s worked fine for us and has never been an issue. Enjoy every moment of it - I just wish I didn’t have to work so much so I could enjoy it more!

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 23/06/2025 22:23

The big girls will be really helpful

kimberleycowgirl · 23/06/2025 23:42

I have a very similar age gap! My big boys just dote on their little sister (and just like you the eldest really wanted me to get pregnant- funnily enough I found out I was pregnant on his birthday and he told me that had been his wish smashed he blew out the candles!) and with the big age gab they are not as hectic as it was when I had the two about two years apart. Don’t stress- as has been said you learn not to sweat the small stuff and you give your big kids the chance to be amazing and caring - it will melt your heart.

Wereeee · 24/06/2025 00:09

Congratulations!!

My littlest is only 11 weeks old, and the bigger two have turned 4 and 2 since he arrived.

So far, three is bliss. The easiest transition so far. Baby just gets popped in a sling and we all crack on. Am sure things will be more challenging as he gets more mobile!

My now 4yo is besotted with the baby, and so helpful. The 2yo is a tad less predictable! 😂 I think your age gap sounds lovely.

TiredMum97 · 24/06/2025 06:14

At least with a third you know you don’t need all the fancy things like you do with your first! I’m also excited to see my eldest be a little mother hen. She’s such a caring little lady so I know she’ll be thrilled. 🥰

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YourWinter · 24/06/2025 13:21

Congratulations, that’s a nice gap!

Genevieve29 · 24/06/2025 13:45

My DDs were 12 & 9 when I had DD3. (Happy accident, never a mistake!) DD aged 12 was indifferent (after she said she thought I was joking when I told them I was pregnant). DD aged 9 was like a second Mum to DD3. All 3 of them always get on as well as any siblings do. Admittedly the larger-than-yours age gap probably made things easier, but even 5 year olds can be helpful, and after being REALLY cross with DH when I first found out, (unreasonable, I know it takes 2) I am SO glad I had #3.

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