I'm not pregnant (yet) - not even off my pill...but am already thinking about when I get preggers with my 3rd child. I feel like we have everything in 'order' for a third child (minus the bedroom situation). We currently have a 2 bedroom house but will be converting the garage (professionally) to a large bedroom for our two older children and will be putting the baby into their bedroom. We have child care figured out and have most of the baby stuff from my two children (one boy / one girl). Any words of wisdom going into this? I've read most of the posts about pros/cons of having a third child. I just really am looking for any advice or anything you can give me!
I'm in a wedding next month so will be going off my pills shortly after that.
My children are currently 2 (boy) and 4 (girl).
Thanks for the comments thus far! I bought my prenatal vitamins today (which is what prompted this post).
I have thought about school (just with my two kids now)...so either way we'll have two in college at the same time..but a great thing to think about!
I do like the idea of converting the garage before...but not sure that will work out financially. Hopefully the kids will not feel like we are thrusting them out of their current room!! I do plan on having them help every step of the way with decorating their new (much larger) room so hopefully that will overpower the thoughts of us kicking them out of their current room!
Congrats on your decision to try for #3! Having three is awesome and you'll be getting that tie breaker!!! :)
I don't know that I have any awesome advice...I've got a 1, 3 and 5 year old now...and don't get much sleep :) It's an adjustment going from man-to-man coverage to zone defense, but your kids will be a little older than mine, which might make it a little easier. A lot of time I have the 1 and 3 yr olds competing for my attention, and trying to do the same things (the 16 mo old thinks she can do anything her brothers do).
You may need to consider whether a larger vehicle is needed (we had to trade up to a car with 3 rows so the kids couldn't touch each other). As for college, more kids in college, hopefully means more financial aid received. :)
Good luck!
best advice i can give you is to stop planning. I hate to rain on your parade, because you do have it all worked out, but things have a way of not going the way you planned. I had 3 kids, perfectly easily and with no issues, only to m/c twice because I have a gene mutation that causes blood clots. basically I got lucky 3 times in a row and never knew there was a problem. It was an easy fix, but it's hard to understand when you are going through it (i've since had a perfectly healthy little boy and am 19 weeks pregnant, just have to pop a pill every day).
I'm not saying you will have any trouble, but over planning leads to getting your hopes up that things will go very easily and very smoothly and they might not. So step back and don't put so much effort into it, that way you can enjoy the process a little bit more.
I don't know that I have any advice on having a third. But I am in the same position as you! We feel emotionally ready for a third baby and our other children are also 4 and 2. So although we feel ready for a third I am apprehensive of the cost of living and providing for three...for college education...and for time. My biggest worry is being able to give each child my time energy and love.
I believe everything happens for a reason! Your strong desire to have a third is probably God (if you believe in him) asking you to receive another child into your life!
Take Care!
A.
It sounds like you have everything pretty well figured out. My third pregnancy was my hardest (one of the reasons why we're done after 3 kids). I had complications that I never had with my first two (gestational diabetes and pre-term labor starting at 32 weeks). Plus I was so much more uncomfortable and tired the third time around. If you have relatives and friends close by, don't be afraid to ask for help. Have them take your other kids so you can rest as much as possible. Once the baby comes, have your husband or a relative help with the older kids so you can bond with the baby. I feel like I never held my youngest because I was so busy with the older two. If I could go back, I would have spent more time just holding him and snuggling with him. I also wouldn't have given up on breastfeeding him so easily. I was so tired and overwhelmed and he didn't latch on well so I just have up after a couple of weeks. That is definitely a big regret. So, basically ask for help. You'll need it! Also try to make time for yourself. Being a mom of three isn't easy. You need and deserve a bit of time each day to recharge your batteries. Best of luck!
Move your kids before the new baby comes so that the older kids don't feel like they are being displaced for the baby. Let them make suggestions for decorating the new room. Also since your children are still fairly young make sure you box all the baby toys and remove them from the general. When you get them out for the new baby say that they are your toys and you are choosing to share them with the baby. That will help keep the "That's my toy! I played with that!" to a minimum.
And please remember that you'll be up all day with the older kids and up all night with the baby so take any help anyone offers. If your house is a mess and things are perfect at first give yourself permission to let things slide and enjoy the children.
You can't prepare for the 3rd kid :) Just jump in and go with it. We have three and I can tell you that 3 is way more than 2. It is harder. You are more divided with your time, you need a bigger car, you don't fit into a hotel as easily. But, I believe that siblings are the greatest gift you can give you kids. You'll pay the price with their fighting but one day, and you never know when, they will cherish that sibling and rely on that sibling. They will share holidays together and laugh at you together!
So, go for it. Enjoy!!!
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