Triplet mum going back to work

[AnnaOD]

My return to work date is drawing ever closer, and although I'm looking forward to getting out of the house for a few days, I do find myself wondering how on earth I'm going to manage to juggle everything. I'm due back in mid June... my little girls are one next week (now where did that go?!), but in light of the fact there are three of them my company agreed to run 15 weeks parental leave concurrent to maternity leave. Has anyone else with triplets managed to go back to work? How did you go about finding the right person to look after them? Did you opt for a nursery or nanny? Don't know where to begin!

With three little ones of the same age, I think you will find it just as expensive (possibly more so) to have them in nursery as to employ a nanny in your own home. A childminder is also a possibility but it will be difficult to find one who has space for three under-2s. As a start, you need to investigate costs and availability so speak to some nurseries to get an idea of cost (availability of places may also well be a problem there). Many people on here (me included) are not keen on nanny agencies but it's worth calling a few to get an idea of salary costs in your area. Agencies always seem to quote top-end salaries but in your case, looking after 3 one-year olds is quite full-on, so you probably do need somebody experienced and therefore fairly costly.

If you can afford it at all, my preference would be a nanny in your house as getting three little ones out for a fixed time every day will not be easy. You will also have more flexibility when they are (inevitably) ill - and probably all ill sequentially as well!

My colleague had triplets (after two dd's) and she reckons nanny is the way to go. Easier on you, nanny can get them dressed and much easier to leave the house without them, rather than getting them all up and out at same time. Hope this helps. I am still in awe of colleague for managing so well with 5.