3 Kids Under Age 3 - Fortuna,CA

Congratulations on your kiddos and your newest (upcoming) baby! While mine are not as close in age (I have 3 that are 5 and under), I will say that it was personally easier for me to go from 2 children to 3. I think that this is because it was tough for me to split attention and go from 1 to 2, but I was used to it and experienced enough at having no single focus (or no focus whatsoever, on some days!) that splitting time up/multitasking from 2 to 3 was much more natural and easy. I'm not sure if this will be the same for you with your kiddos so close in age, but hopefully it will! Congrats again!

Hey there,

My children are 3 1/2, 23 months and 7 weeks. The first two are girls, like yours, and we just had a boy. We had them close together on purpose and we are thrilled to have a full house. However, it is not easy. The saying around our house is, "Someone will wait." You just have to know that one of your children will have to wait from time to time.

It seems like every day gets a little easier. We have lots of good friends who help me when I go to play groups and I sometimes just stay home so the kids can relax and we can all enjoy each other. There are days when I feel a little crazy and days when I sit and look at my family and I am overjoyed and every day I'm pretty exhausted but that is getting better too. I wish I could invite you over to chat and hang out... make sure to spend time with your friends.

As I read this, I think I sound a little mushy but I am truly happy to be living my dream of being a mom to my three children. You will do a great job, just love them all you can and as, other people have told you I'm sure, take it one day at a time.

Whew! It sounds like you have your hands full. Our third was born when our oldest was 4 1/2... This biggest thing for us was that it is time consuming. There are three small kids who need mom (and dad)... you'll handle it, but you'll be tired; that has to be normal.

What to expect? Really, it's like when you had the other two so close, but now there is three.

It sounds like you are feeling overwhelmed at the thoughts - I just took it a day at a time...

R.

Dear A.,
I would have to say moments of complete chaos,moments of complete bliss and every year put HOUSEKEEPER at the top of your xmas list. Schedule a date with your husband on a regular basis, buy a sewing machine, fill your home with arts and crafts,start them gardening early it gives them a great education, expose them to the arts. Pull your patience out of places inside of you that you did not know exsisted, teach them to share, throw a block party when they are all out of diapers and truly just enjoy them and raise them your way lots of LOVE it is most important and most valuable.
They grow up very quickly and time goes so fast but if you make it a positive in your life when they grow up you will have a great group of children that become fine adults.
I actually did this with 4 most of it as a single mom fortunatly I only had to work part time and it was when they were older my kids turned out to be fabulous people every body loves them and they have never given me a day of trouble I would have to say my kids are the least stressful part of my life.
remember don't forget yourself in all this keep little goals for you self and stick to them everyone will respect you in the long run. Good Luck! J.

Hi A.,

My daughter turned 2 and a day later, my twins were born so I had 3 kids under 3 for 364 days!I don't remember much that I did to survive (they are 9 and 7 now), but I do know that I worried myself sick for no reason. Yes, it was amazingly tiring but we handled it and it wasn't nearly as bad as I imagined it to be. So my advice is try not to worry too much and enjoy your beautiful babies.

Okay, a little practical advice would be just to be sure you get a routine where you know when you will get rest. For example, every morning after the morning crazy feed finishing about 6am, my husband would be responsible for the kids as I got an uninterrupted nap before he went to work. That gave me the peace of mind I needed to get through the day.

Also, I remember having a special basket full of my older daughter's favorite things and new things thrown in here and there to keep her occupied whenever I would be completely preoccupied with the babies.

I also remember having diaper bags completely packed and ready to go at all times except for a few last minute fresh things that I had a list of and knew by heart very soon.

Good luck! It's hard, but amazing, just like your beautiful kids. I hope you have lots of help. Be so relieved you are ALSO not planning to go to work!! (I know, you'll be at work all right but at least it's the most important job in the world!)

it will be a while til you have a routine but it goes fast and the my girls are best friends.

Hi A.,

I know EXACTLY what you are talking about. We had three kids under three as well! Our oldest one, a boy, just turned 3 in April, and we have two girls as well: The oldest girl will turn 2 in September, and the youngest is 6 months now. You know, it is all fun! There are advantages in having children further apart, and there are advantages having them close together. My experience is that they are all interested in the same things, play together always, are very close and are so used to having each other. I am just loving it. For us: we did not have a choice really, since we are older (I am 41 now) and we still want more children if it is possible. We are hoping to get pregnant very soon with number 4, and I cannot wait! We will have 4 children very close together in age, and that is just WONDERFUL! When our baby-girl was just born, of course it took some time to adapt to the new schedule, but before you know it, it is your daily routine. It would be fun to hear where you live. If you live close, maybe we can organize a play-date or something!

Good luck! You will do fine! And you are SOOOOOO blessed to be able to have three children so close in age. Do you know already if your third one is a boy or a girl?

I am looking forward to hearing from you!

E. Nash.

A.,
I had twin boys and when they were 18 months old I had my daughter. So having 3 kids in a year and a half was very trying. Now that they are 10 and 8 1/5 years old it seems like a blur when I think back to when they were little. On one hand I felt like it was great to get the stages over at once, feedings, napping, potty training, etc. They all learned about sharing very early on. But I do feel like sometimes I didn't give them a lot of one on one attention. My biggest help was my husband. We lived in a new city with no family to help out and not many friends. My husband pitched in to help the minute he was home from work and helped with feedings at night. He would watch the babies for me in the evenings so I could go grocery shopping. I got used to being home a lot as it was usually just easier to stay home then attempt any kind of outings, at least until they were a little older.
Every situation is different so its hard to give advice. I guess I would say that organization is your best friend. Don't let the little things get to you. So maybe your house isn't as clean as you like, it doesn't matter. Take time for yourself. I remember the best Mother's Day gift was a whole day off to do whatever I wanted. I went shopping saw a movie and had lunch with no kids! Hang in there. Looking back now I'm so glad I had them close together. They all play well together and get along great. They always have someone to hang out with. Good luck.

Hi A.!

Expect to be tired! I adopted my first daughter when she was 5 years old, and she had fairly severe special needs, and then bore my first son a month later, followed by 3 more the next 5 years...that makes a total of 5 kids in 5 1/2 years! My youngest is now 2 and i sometimes wonder how I made it and people ask how I do it now. My answer is you just DO it..as if I have a choice! It is tough sometimes- you just have to be organized and don't let the little things bug you. Enjoy the everyday things and try you best to stick to a schedule - especially bedtime - after 8pm was the only time I had to myself or to reconnect with my husband.

I think having kids close together is great - they always have a playmate and entertain each other. Their interests are pretty similiar - my most challenging part now is my oldest daughter, whose interests are much different!

I wouldn't have done it any other way - we didn't really plan this (aside from the adoption!) but I'm thrilled to have my noisy brood! best of luck to you - and count your blessings!

Hi A.!
Best Wishes for you and your family! I have 4 beautiful girls and While life is a handful, I wouldn't trade it for anything. I had 3 little ones at once and it is hard but the best thing in the world. What helped me, probably the biggest was try to get at least the 2 little ones on the same nap schedule, and a set bedtime is a must. Bedtime was the only time I really ever got to myself. I know it will be hard with a newborn until they start eating a litle more, but it helped me. Don't be afraid to accept help. My mom came and stayed with me for each birth to help with the older ones and that was great. I do remember trying to be the super mom and show everyone I could do it all. Maybe another mom and you could trade one morning each week to watch each others kids! If someone offers help, take it! Or a mother's helper, (my 12 year old does this, just a girl to keep an eye one them while you are still in the house) could be wonderful. Enjoy your beautiful family! and get all the sleep you can! Let me know how you do! Best wishes!
-C., mom of 4 girls 5-12

Hi A.,

I give my son who is 4 1/2 yrs. old Monavie it's a juice that has all the required nutrient that the USDA recommends daily in his body. You can make frozen juice bars with it, mix into smoothies or just drink it with a straw he loves it. Call me if you have questions ###-###-#### My mother works for the pharmacist and she recommends it also.

P.