Transition to 3 Kids

my poor kindergartener was late for school so many times because i was doing something with the baby and just couldn't get everyone in the car on time. you'll find little ways to adjust. think of things that your oldest can do to help. especially in distracting the 2 yr old or helping her do things. i found it helpful to prepare foods and drinks that the older two can reach on their own (or the oldest child can reach for the the toddler). sometimes just before feeding the baby i would put some music or an audio book to play in the kids' room and ask them to play in there. it gave me at least a little bit of quiet time to feed the baby. with my third baby i more frequently had to put the baby down for things like the other kids fighting, even if i was in the middle of breastfeeding. you just have to choose your battles. the kids do get more mature and things can eventually become more calm. God bless!

I am so glad you asked this question because this is a daily struggle for me. Unfortunately, I have to say...no, it does not get easier....you just have to surrender more....I have a 10, 5 and 3 year old. Boy, girl, boy....realistically...you just kind of lose yourself...........if you have family around, this helps...but....try to do things for yourself...exercise, YMCA membership..., etc....good luck!

Orginization is the key.
I have a 7,4, 16 month old and we watch my neighbors defient 3 yr old. The baby is the only girl. The 7 yr old goes to school, the 4 yr needs to be driven to school and picked up 2 hrs later. It is alot of work and I breastfed. I admit it seems overwhelming but like Lucia said it falls together.

You may not like this but there might be times you need to put the baby down , and yes the poor thing will cry,(hungry, dirty whatever) and handle the others quick then go back to baby. Prioritize what means more. Feeding the baby right now or 2 yr old swinging from chandaleer. Recruit the 6 yr old have her hold the bottle, not now that she is sick but in near future. If you know the baby is about to eat, get the others a snack while you feed the baby, it is amasing how quiet and still they are when they are eating.

You will get it, really you will, it does get better. Baby proof like crazy. The less hazards are around the less trouble they others can get into.

((((HUGS)))) Oh and CONGRATS!!!!

Oh, I feel you! When I had my daughter, my boys were 4 and 2. I know it seems formidable but things just kind of tumbled into place. I realized that there really wasn't that much difference between two kids and three kids. And yes, when they all get sick at the same time (and inevitably you do too) it can be tough for sure! Hang in there, I promise your routine will settle in and the part about keeping your house cleaned up? Give yourself a break there, yes the house won't be picture perfect but your kids will be loved and you will be sane! Congrats on your new little one, I promise it will get easier!

I have to disagree. I think it does get easier. Mine are 5, 3, and 1. The very first thing I learned with 3 is that I will not always be able to have the house cleaned up. When I had the 2 I would always have the house cleaned by the time my husband got home from work (between 6:30 and 7 pm) When my youngest was born there would be many times he'd come home and the house would be scattered with toys and cloths, etc. He never once complained-bless his soul.
When I was feeding baby I would have my 2 year old watch a movie, read a book with me, or even play with toys in his room. You also have to pick your battles more carefully. Remember you're feeding baby and paying attention to baby, so your 2 year old wants your attention. For example is it really important that she is running around the house? Is it going to hurt her?? If not it's ok until you're done with baby. That kind of thing.
I learned that I can only do laundry once a week (usually Saturday) because I just don't have time to do it everyday. And sometimes I would take the cloths out of the dryer and put them in a basket to fold while baby was napping. Also, when your 6 year old is well she will be in school, right? So during the day you will be back down to 2 at home. I understand taking a kid to school with other kids is tough, but it can be done. I take my 5 year old, drop her off, and watch her walk into the school. She is old enough to get to her class on her own. I will admit the first time I was nervous, but now she does great and she tells me each morning Mama I'm going to go in by myself, ok? I give myself about 5 minutes (maybe a little more) just to get kids in the car in the morning.
Another thing I learned is to make my 2 year old lay down for a nap. And if not nap than have a quiet time IN THEIR ROOM away from me for at least an hour. My babies usually napped in their swing during the day or in a bassinet in my room not in the other kids' room. I needed that time to unwind from the morning and get ready for the afternoon. Usually baby will take a nap at some point late morning/early afternoon that is longer. That would be my 2 year old's quiet time. I would have that time to myself to "recover" I don't clean/cook/ anything like that during that time. That is my time to relax, maybe nap, watch tv/movie, check my email, play a game on computer, read a book, do something that has nothing to do with kids or household chores.
The last thing (and maybe hardest lesson) I learned was that it's ok if baby cries! As long as all his (my youngest is a boy) needs are met he can cry for a couple minutes. If I needed to take care of something with the older kids it would be ok. I would put him in his swing so I could make dinner and many times he would fuss, but as long as I knew he had already been fed and his diaper was clean, etc he could fuss while I made dinner. I did make sure dishes were done, because you can't eat off dirty dishes, but I usually did dishes while dinner was simmering on the stove, or baking in the oven or something like that.
I hope this helps some. If you have any other questions you can message me. I have been there. I made it and you will too. Eventually things fell into place. In a couple months baby didn't have to eat as often and could be entertained by the swing, the boucer, or play gym thing, or tummy mat, or other toys/things. And then I had more time for cleaning and such and my house wasn't as much of a mess.
Oh... last thing... start enlisting your kids in help. I could have my kids at your kids' ages pick up their toys some. It may not be put away like you would do it, but at least they can put them in their room/playroom or wherever they beking. They can also learn to out their cloths in a laundry basket. That kind of thing. That will also help you feel better. Things are always harder when kids are sick. It's just something to push through. Most illnesses (unless it's something serious) don't last more than a few days and don't last forever! And I always worried about baby catching it. I changed my cloths if I had been cleaning up throw up, or cleaning up after a sick kid. I washed my hands all the time and certainly before picking up and/or feeing baby. That kind of thing. Good Luck and as I said I think it will get easier as time goes on.

I suggest getting a wrap or baby carrier of some kind. That way you can carry the baby around but still have free hands to help your six year old with homework or a project and to play with your 2 year old.

I suggest during the day even when baby is awake, putting her down on the floor next to you or in a swing and playing with your daughter - every day. No matter if it's only a few minutes. She'll start to become more independent and be able to play for longer periods of time alone. I second letting her watch a cartoon while you feed the baby.

I know it's getting colder now so this may not work but I was going to suggest feeding baby outside while you let your 2 year old run around. This can be done (not in extreme cold, of course) but just be sure to bring a few blankets out and feed the baby and let your 2 year old run around.

I suggest taking the two small ones on a stroller ride every day (especially if you can't get your 2 year old to take a nap or rest time).

I would not worry about laundry and house cleaning. Do what you can WHEN the kids are awake - maybe designate 1/2 in the mornings and afternoons to straighten up. Wait for the hubby to come home (or on weekends) to clean house.

Congratulations!

Ok, I remember it well. I had my 3rd, and my husband went back to work when he was 9 days old. My other two were 3 1/2 and 2 1/2. Technically, 3 yrs 10 mo and 2 yrs. 9 mo. I didn't have anywhere to go that first day, so it shouldn't be to bad, right? Hahahaha - my oldest got up with a 103 fever, the baby's nose was all stuffy. I called the pediatrician who told me I needed to bring the oldest in. I cried! The drs. office told me they wouldn't even make me an appointment, they would just see me whenever I got there. So, anyway, my neighbor kept the middle child and I took the other two with me. My oldest had an ear infection, and the baby was stuffy but just fine. That evening when my husband got home, I was sitting on the sofa, with the baby on one side, the 2 1/2 year old on the other and the sick 3 1/2 year old on my lap. I had been in that position for about 2 hours, wondering what the hell I had gotten myself in to. I'm happy to say, that a week later, I was driving the girls to preschool, and for the most part things went smoothly after that. I adapted, and the little one adapted too. Their is a period of adjustment, but everyone will adjust, and find their way.