Mother's Helper/Sitter???

Only the last 2 generations believed in the super mom that could do it all without help. My grandparents/great grandparents/great great grandparents all had help even if it was just an unwed aunt that was living with them until she found herself a husband and these people were not rich by any means... Remember that.

I would look into hiring someone. It M. not be full time, but let's say 8 hours a week, but getting help is not a weakness, it is knowing your limit.

Also if the neighbor has a helper and is willing to share I would jump on it! Don't steal though.

We have no family around either. Our closest family is a couple thousand miles away and have been for 10 years.

My kids are 14, 13, 12 and 8. When I was pregnant with the last one I had three kids 6 and under. I was worried I couldn't do it alone. I managed though. There were days when I wanted to cry...and on those days hubby would entertain the kids while I took a hot bath.

I think you can do it. Use a sling, have the older two help occasionally and you'll be fine.

I would keep all your options open and see what works best for you once baby comes. Personally, adapting to #3 was really easy for me, and baby just joined in our routine. I was anxious because the first 3 months after my due date was summer vacation, so I had all the kids home with me every day. But it ended up being fun and worked out just fine. But I also had several friends with kids of similar ages, and we would exchange playdates. It's good to have a plan and options, but until baby comes, it's hard to predict what reality will be like. It sounds like you're willing to reach out when you need help, and that's really the key. It will all work out, and on the days it doesn't, call your friend's sitter! Congratulations and good luck!

If you can afford to hire someone, I think it would be wonderful. You will have your hands full, and your children will want to have some attention when they get home. They will demand it of you and you won't be able to get a moment to take a breath.

I don't really like the idea of using the TV as a babysitter, but that's just me. If you hire a high school student to help, you can pay $5 or $6 an hour, give her a list of things to do with the kids, and since you are there with her, you won't have to worry about much. You can cook this way, pay attention to all your kids, yet have an extra pair of hands.

Dawn

I second what MamaMay said. You should absolutely hire some help. Just managing on a day to day basis and then getting a little reprieve when you're at the breaking point is not healthy. Nobody can do it all and women need to stop thinking they're bad mothers when they realize they can't. I think it's foolish to wear yourself out trying to live up to the myth of a supermom. It makes more sense to ensure that you can be a happy, healthy and well-rested mom and if hiring someone can get you there, do it without question.

Maybe you can hire one once a week. My sister would have one day a week where her kids went to daycare after school so she'd have a day to do everything she needed to do. But she worked and she has major health problems. I didn't do this and I have 5 kids so I figured out a system that allowed me to get things done. I wouldn't do this because I figure that I can manage my time to get the extra time without spending the money. We don't have any extra money. But if you feel this would really be something you would like, maybe once a week like my sis. Good luck!

Go for it! I did it when my kids were 2 and 4. Had no family to help. Did it from 3 to 5pm just so I could actually do things like fold laundry and start dinner in peace!