Do you have 3+ kids??

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

I wouldn't trade her for anything!

This is what sums it all up in the end isn't it

 

[LadyZolt]

I've got 3 -- DS19, DS17 and DD16 right now. I thought it was pretty hard when they were small because they're so close together. But then, when they were 5, 3 and 2, I watched my sister's kids (then 6, 4, 2 and 1) while my sister and her DH went on vacation for a week. Let me tell you -- after watching seven kids age six and under, it was a breeze going back to just three. LOL! You'll be amazed at what you can do when you must. And while it was really tough in those early years, it was totally worth it, as others have said and I think mine are pretty close to each other, even though they are the typical surly teens.

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

LadyZolt--> and that's exactly what i want!! close kids who are friends!! i am the first to admit, i am NOT a fan of the baby stage, but I love it once they can walk! at 9months my DD was walking and it was amazing and soo much easier!! now to just get DS there!!

but if we do go for a third..i'll be PG at WDW AGAIN!! haha..i just want to ride EE!!

 

[2infinity&B-ond]

Hi DMM! (I'm a Maelstromer!!)

I have 3 kids. My girls are 14 months apart. My middle DD and my DS are 1 year and 20 days apart.

I love my kids and would NEVER change anything. BUT...when they were younger (they are now 7, 6, and 5) it was HARD. I had a routine with my girls. I was potty training my oldest when DS was born..but for a while I had three kids under 3, and all of them in diapers.

I remember feeling very overwhelmed...wondering how I would make it out of the house with 3 little ones, but I always managed. Being a planner helps.

Things have gotten a easier as they have gotten a little older...my baby starts kindergarten next year and I will be all alone all day. I have mixed emotions about it.

Feel free to PM me if you want to talk or have any questions. I have so much more I could say....

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Thank you 2I&B!! (Maelstrom).. i will most likely PM you! there are really mixed feelings, which is why i am so confused. i think it's really fear about being able to do it or being a failure you know? i'm a SAHM and my children are well behaved, we eat out about once a week and both are very good in restaurants and such..i just feel that maybe i won't be as good the third time around?? i don't know. I'm just scared..

 

[ChrisnSteph]

I have 3 kids at home - 3, 4 and 10. They keep me very busy! I am exhausted by the end of the day. My 4 year old goes to pre-school, so for part of the day I only have my 3 year old. Next year he'll start pre-school and my 4 year old will be in kindergarten, so I'll finally have some free time to myself! How sad is that when you're counting the days until they're all in school? I remember when I only had 2 - now that I look back, it was so easy!

 

[Tink9748]

We had our first then twins so we didn't have a choice to stop at 2. My personal observation is that families with 3 kids seem to have kids that get along better then families of 2 or 4. I don't know why but that is just what I have observed personally. We stopped at 3 because we didn't want 5 and since we had one set of fraternal twins the odds were higher of having another set so we stayed at 3.

Same here. We had our first daughter when I was young (20). At 25 I got pregnant again. We were wishing for a boy as we only wanted 2 kids. 6 months into my pregnancy we found out I was pregnant with twin girls . It has turned out to be a blessing. They are super close and they always have a playmate. Our older daughter gets along with them surprisingly well also. The only downside to having 3 kids is hotels and amusement parks. Some hotels only allow 4 people per room and most amusement park rides ie roller coasters only allow 2 at a time which means someone will always be riding by themselves. Luckily the twins are only 5 so we have a ways before they are riding roller coasters.

The Pros definitely outweight the cons.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

thanks again!!!

 

[MommyPoppins]

DMM! Hi! We never really had "the talk". We just said we'd stop when we wanted to. I always said I want to be done by the time I am 30...I'll have as many as I can till then...which for me will hopefully only be 2 more. Then I don't really want to be pregnant anymore after that. But that could change if we have 2 more and still no girls...I mean...can you imagine having 6 boys and NO girls...

As far as I do I do it? Well, I am tired at the end of the day, but thankfully even though my DH comes home from work physically tired, he hasn't been dealing with the kids all day, so his emotions are intact and he is a wonderful help. I've never had a problem getting rest when I need it during the day. My kids have ALWAYS napped at the same time, yes four at once. When I have a new baby, I always am groomed, if I need a shower baby goes safely in their bed for 5 minutes. I'm proud to say that when I've had all 4 when Kaleb was little I would sometimes even take bubble baths in the AM. He would be napping, the others watching a movie and I was relaxing.

My nerves are often frazzled, I don't take them all by myself places...my mom, or sister comes to DR. appointments with me, and my little bro watches some of them...mostly my mom comes because I HATE driving by myself. DH does the grocery shopping, didn't I mention he was wonderful??? So anyway, having 4 isn't easy, but I actually don't see it as any harder than when we had 2.

 

[LadyZolt]

DisneyMommyMichelle: Well, our third one (DD) was an "oops." I was breastfeeding my second DS, and you don't ovulate regularly when you breastfeed, so I didn't even realize I was pregnant till I had morning sickness. LOL! We were going to wait for the first two kids to be maybe 7 and 5 years old and then try for a third, but now I'm glad we didn't wait because, had I waited for my second to be 5 years old, I seriously doubt I would have had a third and my daughter (youngest) has been an absolute joy to us. Of course, many of us are "oops" babies -- I'm one myself and so is my DH. LOL! I think there are pro's and con's of having them all in a row, and you and your DH will need to think about the work involved in those early years. It absolutely is very difficult (and I homeschooled them till my oldest was in fifth grade), but it's also SO rewarding and I have many fond memories, pictures and videos of the three of them doing things together, etc., because they're so close in age. If I had to do it all again, I believe I'd have them all close together like they are. But every situation is unique and my DH was very supportive and helpful -- changing diapers, reading stories, giving baths, etc. So you have things to consider and I'm sure that you and your DH will make the best decision for your specific family.

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

MommyPoppins--> thanks soo much for that!!! it sounds like you are happy with your hands full!! and i love that they napped at the same time!!
LadyZolt-->thanks again! yes, i am a lucky one too with DH. he does it all once he gets home from work and we are lucky that he has a mon-fri job so we can do everything we need to do on the weekends. We did buy a van this year, just because the two kids needed their space so that's no problem.

DH and i are both oops babies too!!! but i FELT the oops my entire life and that's what i never wanted for my kids! i think that's why i'm a planner..hahah!! and i genuinely enjoy being a mommy!!!

Thanks again everyone!!

 

[JVL1018]

We have 2. I always thought we'd have 3, as did DH, but as time went on, I though to myself, you know, we have room for 2, money for 2, and most important with me..barely the patience for 2. LOL
A 3rd child would send me over the edge.
There are times I wish we had a 3rd, but when I really think about it, there is no way. Perhaps if DS had been another girl we'd have tried for a boy, but I seriously doubt it, I would have been just as thrilled with 2 girls.

They are too old now(4 and 6) for me to start thinking about going back to all the baby stuff.
I have had a taste of semi independant children who sleep thorugh the night and can feed themselves and can tell me why they're crying and I just can't go back.
I do think of the hotel room issue, the booth issue(we like sitting in booths in restaurants), the one parent to one child issue..

I love babies though and think everyone else should have a bunch, so go ahead and have one more.

 

[goldcupmom]

I have 3 - now almost 20, almost 16 & 14.5.

DS first was the original strong willed child. Slept all night from 1 month til under 3 months, then never again for YEARS. He would be awake from 11 - 2/3 a.m. every night. Tried crying it out, but he would last all night if needed.

All three of mine were out of cribs at 8 mo.

DS#2 came along and the day he came home DS#1 asked if could please have another baby now and this time could it be his baby sister. The day I was induced w/ DD DS#1 went to Kindergarten and told the teacher he had an announcement - would everyone please ask their moms if they could have a baby brother because if we had another brother today we were giving it away.

DS#2 got a nurse FIRED in the hospital as he rolled over both ways the day he was born. Next day Dr. witnessed it and called the nurse back to work. He was standing on his own in the crib at 3 mo and walking at 7. This one never slept either.

But, I wanted 3 and hoped for a DD. I was youngest of 6, DH youngest of 5. My sonogram was definitive with the boys, but DD had her legs crossed and we had not a clue.

You're outnumbered with 3, but you'll be tired & broke forever, so if you think a 3rd is right for you, go for it. You'll love them no matter what!!

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Thank you ladies! it really is great getting all this information from people that have been there done that and people that didnt and are happy thanks again!!!

 

[Becky2005]

Honestly - fate kind of worked in my favor!

I wanted 4 kids - DH was OK with or without having them. He would have been fine to stop after 1, didn't mind 2, was definitely ready to be done after 3 and well, gee there's number 4. I'm ready to be done now.

I'm the 3rd kid and I hated being an odd number growing up. I was the youngest and I always seemed to get the chair pulled up to a table for 4 or the middle hump in the station wagon.

I always wanted an *even* number - 4 seemed like a good one for me. I think part of it is that I'm a 3rd, so I had a hard time not going ahead for the 3rd (it's a weird thinking way of "if my parents stopped at 2, I wouldn't have been born" type of thing and that factored into it).

I was resigned to only having 3 though after our 3rd was born because basically I wanted to be done by the time I was 35...so if we had only had 3 then, that would have been it as much as I would have liked the fourth. I happened to get pregnant the year I turned 35. I gave birth after I was 35, so I don't want anymore....I'm already scared for next year having my first teenager in the house and one turning 3 (3 was always a harder year than 2 for me and my 2 year old is already worse than the other ones!)

You just make it work though. It all depends on the age gap...I'm getting to the point now with the 10 year gap between #1 and #4 that I'm starting to have a built-in babysitter, sometimes of her own doing! To the point on occasion I have to remind her that *I'M* the mom and not her when she thinks she can also dole out discipline.

There are pros/cons to both sides of the fences.

 

[famofsix]

Don't be afraid to "go for it". If you're asking the question you probably want to anyway. I have four and we were "stopping at three". But I would not change anything because I can't imagine life without the fourth! Having kids is stressful no matter the number. It's how you handle the stress that is important. If you have supportive people around you then another precious baby will probably make the world a better place
I do think that when mine were 0,2, 4 it was very hard and physically demanding. I actually enjoy the baby now whereas before I was kinda on autopilot without sleep. Mine are 1,7,almost 9, almost 11 now. It's only through the Grace of God I get through each day regardless of how many kids I've been blessed with.

 

[Stitch1404]

I have 2 children, but I come from a family of 3 children. My sister and I are only 15 months apart and we are best friends. It is an absolutely amazing relationship, sometimes I thank my parents for having us so close together!! However, my other sister is 8 years younger than me and I was never very close to her. If you are going to have more, I say keep them close together. My kids aren't close together (from different relationships) and sometimes that makes me sad because I know they could never have the relationship my sister and I have.

Even though this sounds funny, the world is designed for even numbers! Growing up my sisters and I always fought over who had to sit at the chair pulled up to the end of the table when we went out to dinner since tables are made for 2, 4, 6, etc. as well as who had to sleep on the rollaway or floor at hotels. And at WDW we were constantly arguing about who had to ride alone! I believe in even numbers, I myself am aiming for 2 more. I love being a mom, nothing has ever made me happier.

 

[paslea_pooh]

Michelle,

I haven't read all the posts but I wanted to comment.

I have 4 girls. 18,14,9 and 5. I am glad that I had 4. We ALWAYS planned on having a big family. I come from a small family. It's just me and my sister(we are 18 months apart) and we hated each other as kids. We barely speak now. We are not close at all. DH(hooP) has 3 older brothers. He is the youngest of 4. He knew he wanted a big family too.

I know that this isn't even a consideration for you now b/c your babies are sooo little. But let me tell you, the time goes quickly. Right now we are struggling with college tuition. Our second oldest will be a freshman when our oldest is a senior in college. Tuition is ridiculous now!! I am soooo glad that we spaced them out the way we did. That will be the only time we have 2 kids in college at the same time.

Most days I feel like I am pulling my hair out. There is always so much to do. When we went from 2 to 3 it was hard and my 2nd and 3rd are 5 years apart!!!

We Planned on a big family and it's still a struggle. I just know personally for me I am glad we spaced them out. I know my SIL had all her boys less than 2 years apart. It's a personal decision. Just think it out clearly and do what is best for your family.


LY/MI

Maelstrom !!!

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

..is a fast pass?!?!

Anyways...i really am appreciating all of this. Here i thought there wouldn't be a lot of people out there with a lot of kids, but look at everyone!! and do helpful too!

 

[Laila_Adam]

I have 2 kids, DD 2yr and DS 6 months old. There is no-way I can think of a third one. In my opinion I just feel like you can offer more to 2. You also have to think of long term, their needs become greater as they are growing up there is college and I want a car thing also, etc.. to buy for them. Even though my oldest is very independent (potty trained, feeds herself, can dress herself, been sleeping through the night since 7 months old). I just got so sick of changing diapers, washing bottles, pumping breast milk, waking up at night for feedings, etc... Can't wait until youngest is independent. For the ones who had more than 2 (my mother who had 6) you guys are very strong and brave. We just can't afford it either, we can only afford 2 and have enough patience for 2. We just got done paying off our viacord bills and just bought a new house 3 months ago. If you think you can do it, then think about some things like can you afford it (what I mean by affording is can you give them everything equally as they are growing up) if you can afford it long term then go for it!! Unlike me I can give much more to 2. There are some who believe why should money stand in the way of having more kids (ex: ppl who continue to have kids while seeking help from the goverment). In my opinion we live in a world where money is very important.