Third Child

I have three: 9, 6, and 4. At times it is tough, but the fact is, once you have two- the leap to three is not all that bad. You will be fine!!

I'm a mom of one boy (4) and girl (2) and due in December 21. I'm a little bit scare also, but after read all the comments I think everything will be fine. Good luck.

Hi A.,
It wasn't long ago I was in your shoes. I was a little nervous at first, but really only because we weren't planning on having more kids and because our house wasn't quite big enough for another member. But quite honestly I have come to realize that the hardest jump was actually going from 1 to 2 children. I already had figured out the muti-tasking thing so everything went well. Actually things seemed very relaxed and I really get to enjoy her because I know how. She is now 9 months old and I also have a 6 and 5 year old. I also have to say that my daughter who is 6 is a great help with the baby. She loves her tremendously! More than I could have ever hoped for. Even though I was nervous during my pregnancy I now know that my family wasn't complete or whole without her. After your new one arrives try to call in reinforcements for a couple weeks (if it's available to you). Call parents, in- laws, friends,and family members you are close to and see if they can sort of take shifts while your husband is gone. That way you can get into a routine without all the pressure. You will build your confidence and things will work themselves out. I wish you the best of luck!

A.,

Hang in there! It is a big adjustment, but it is all worth it. I had my third child in Dec of 05 and he will be a year old this Dec. I also have a six year old and a 2 year old. It may seem like your routine will get shot right out the window and it just might, but the growth of lov ein your home makes it all better. You will have one that is in school and you will have two at home. It took me a little time to get into the swing of things, but my daughter the two year old loves her lil brother like nothing else. He asbolutely adores her too. The love I see between the two makes it all the more wonderful. Just remember, you will love the new baby just as much as you love your other two.

I have a 3 yr old and twins who are 1 year. I was a little nervous about having three children myself, as far as how stressed I could possibly be all the time and if I could handle it mentally and emotionally, but actually it's not at all bad like I thought it would be; just knowing how it is raising one child I figured I would go crazy, ha. It's alot of fun actually and congratulations!! You'll see it's not as big of a deal after he / or she is here.

I love having 3 kids (6,4,3). It was harder going from 1 to 2. By the time the third child arrives you're used to chaos. You'll do great!!! Congrats!!!

Don't frett. It will be a bit of a disorderly change but in a couple of months, you will have it all figured out. My last three (i have five) were like stair steps. When the fourth was born her and the third were in pampers together, and when the last was born, her and the fourth were in pampers together. But with each kid, I thought I couldn't do it and I was going to fail. We all make mistakes and will until the day we die, but we have to do what feels right in our hearts as parents. Don't get scared and don't doubt yourself. You will eventually get the hang of it. My oldest is 16 and I still feel like I can do a better job at mothering and as soon as I start to doubt myself, my kids show me that I am doing a good job by the little things they do that I've taught them. So hey, have your baby enjoy the chaos for a while and then get it together. Good luck and keep us posted on the pregnancy.

Going from 1 to 2 is the adjustment - after that it is all downhill. Relax and enjoy! I happen to be a mom to 7.

HI A....DONT WORRY YOU HAVE ALREADY GOTTEN THE SKILL OF JUGGLING. NOW ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS ADD 1 MORE BALL TO IT. 1 CHILD IS HARD THE SECOND MAKES THINGS ALOT HARDER. BUT WHEN YOU ADD THE THIRD IT JUST KINDA GOES WITH IT. ITS NOT ANY HARDER. YOUR ALREADY USED TO IT BY NOW. I HAVE 2 BOYS AGES 5 AND 4. I ALSO JUST RECENTLY HAD A BABY GIRL SHE IS NOW 5MO. OLD. I WAS SCARED IN THE BEGINING AND OFTEN WONDERED WHAT WAS I THINKING!!! I EVEN CRIED A FEW TIMES. BUT IN THE END THE HARDEST THING WAS GETTING USED TO THE BOTTLES AND DIAPERS AGAIN. I REMEMBER WHEN I THOUGHT IT WAS HARD TO TAKE A BABY EVERYWHERE YOU GO. NOW WHEN IT COMES TO SHOPPING OR DAILY ERRANDS THAT NEED TO BE RUN I WOULD MUCH RATHER TAKE THE BABY WITH ME THAN THE BOYS.. A BABY IS MUCH EASIER FOR THE TIME BEING. NOT ANY MOMMY I WANT THIS OR THAT, MOMMY HE TOUCHING ME. LOL WELL GOOD LUCK!!

Hi,
I have four kids ages 8,6,3 and 9 months and I cannot even remember what it was like with two I think it was probably the hardest going from one to two but after that your an old pro. Good luck and remember to keep smiling.

I flipped out when i found out i was pregant with my thrid child. I wasn't sure if i could handle it, But come to find out it was just a fear i had. Having a third child is not different then already having 2. It's just one more child you have to dress in the morring and make sure homework is done,But over all you already have 2 children and i'm sure you have a routine with them just allow yourself a lil extra time to get ready when you go places.To me my third was a blessing for us she is our only girl.And with her we have made it through alot of challenges. Congrads and Goodluck i'm sure you'll be fine.

A.,

Last June I had our third child… when I found out I was pregnant with him I when through a really rough spell. My baby girl was only 6 months old… I had given our oldest over 10 years of undivided attention and my baby girl was only going to get a little over a year. I had to go to work and let them know again. But all the fears were gone the first time he was put in my arms.

It took a little while to find a way to make everything easier… breastfeeding seemed to be the hardest thing to get down with my little girl always wanting to play when he was eating. But we found a way for mommy to play with her when it wasn't time to nurse. Love is all you need to make everything work… you have two kids now you are just adding another one to make it that much better.

When you first come home… take the help people offer. Even if it's just taking one of the other ones for a hour or two, bringing you a cooked meal so that you don't have to cook, or your husband offering to watch the little ones while you take a well deserved shower or bubble bath. And don't be all worried if the dishes get skipped for the day… spend the time with the kids, remember to give them hugs and kisses, and don't worry about it.

Enjoy the first kick, the sound of the heart beat and showing the other kids the first picture (ultra sound)… help your other two welcome the new addition in by letting them be part of it.

Take Care!
J.

To be honest, I love having three kids and can't wait for more.

The main differences I've noticed are a constant urge to count children when loading and unloading the car, a need to spend some one on one time with the older kids seperately, and a desire for a bubble bath and chocolate bar once a week.

It's not too bad. You will find you'll probably have it down by this point because with the first one you're paranoid, with the second you're anxious and trying to remember everything, and with the third it's already habit.

Try to enjoy it and don't focus on the bad- focus on the good.

Well everyone has already told you what I plan on saying so just to reinforce the point and hopefully make you feel that much better, two's the hard part, three is easy, and 4 and 5 are easier still. I was young when I had my first son and still young when i had my second and I thought I would lose my mind trying to figure out the little things like how to take a shower when my husband was gone or how to keep the baby from waking his brother and what to do if lord forbid they both woke at 2 a.m. but when at the good old age of 21 I found out we were having bay number 3, my little girl, finally, it was like ok no big deal we just do the same thing we did with two only now I have some little helpers. You'll do fine, you've really done the hard part already. good luck and take care.

A., it isnt bad. I thought 1kid to 2 was the hardest. I will give you a few tips that might make it easier...Make sure your oldest can buckle his own seat belt and practice leaving them in your living room to watch tv for a few minutes by them selves. I usually shower when the baby is sleeping...so my other 2 know that when I shower, they need to say in the living room...and they know what the exceptions are if they need to come get me...I usually save a few fun items that I get out for just this time so they will really be interested in them...
We have a mini van and my oldest sits in the back and the 2 younger in the front, so if you have to have a seating arrangement like that..start it now so they don't feel like they are being rearranged b/c of the baby. We bought my older one a leap frog book set and told her she gets to sit back there b/c shes older blah blah...and now she has this great book set to read while we are in the car.

Last thing...grocery shopping stinks with 3 kids..so try and do it when sommeone else can watch at least 1! Good luck and really it isn't so bad. Also, be flexible...if they don't get a bath every night..it will be ok!
hope some of this helps.

I am a mom with 3 of my own children. Currently they are 11,8 and 7. I had heard that there is a big deffirence between having 2 and having 3 children. I have to say, it is more work especially since you only have 2 hands! Don't be afraid to have your oldest be a BIG HELPER! It is going to be busier but you can do it! It is not bad at all! best of luck-M.

i am a stay at home mom and have been since i had my second son whom now is 4 my oldest will be 10 next month and iam due dec 12 with our third child which also they are saying is a boy, i was so scared at first because i thought we cant afford another child , plus i am turning 32 next week so i worried about be being older and if i would have problems i also had a miscarriage last year at 5 weeks,that was the hardest thing i have ever going through but i just prayed about this pregnancy and i figured the lord would not give me another baby if he knew i couldnt handle it plus i have lots of support from my hubby and family ,sure thigns get tough but life isnt always easy any when we had just 1 we had tough times she dont give up and always have faith and when it gets really rough just look into those babies eyes and you will know its worth it

I have 3 kids aging from 9 yrs., 5 yrs., and 14 mos.
It gets a little exhausting at times, but I wouldn't change anything... They are all completely different, and unique in their own special way!!!!!
I just hope that your experience is as great as mine!!!!!!!

I have 4. The third was an adjustment beccause my youngest at the time was 4 when he was born. But the other children were very willing to help with the baby and by the time the fourth came around we were old pros at doing things. Just try and include the others with the things you do with the baby. Making them feel including will help with any acting out and trying to get your attention. Good luck.

I am in the same predicament and I'm alittle nervous too, but we can do this and I've heard that the jump from second to third is easier than the one to two jump. Hang in there and don't stress too much, that's only going to make it more difficult. Also, it depends on how far apart in age your other two are. Good luck and God Bless You!!!

I have ages 6, 4 and 2. It was way easier for me to go from #2 to #3 then from #1 to #2. Even though #3 was not expected.

It felt more like I could wing it. :) I knew at that point I was a good mom and that my kids would turn out just fine so I didn't sweat the small stuff.

Don't worry going from 2 to 3 is not as big of a change as going from 1 to 2