Update on my neurotic friend and her triplets

[Jeafl]

Well, it's just as we all suspected. She can't even FIND her schedule book, let alone live by it! She said she hasn't seen it in weeks and really doesn't care. The 2 girls have their days and nights mixed up, but the boy is sleeping quite a bit at night. although nowhere near through the night. One barely stops crying before the other ones start, and the smallest girl has colic. She started out breastfeeding, but gave up after only a week. She said she just couldn't handle it, which is certainly understandable. The 2 older ones are on a different formula from the younger one, so she has to be really careful about not mixing up bottles. And the saddest part of all is that she had not taken them out of the house since they came home from the hospital until yesterday!

On her behalf though, I babysat for them for about 3 hours so she and her husband could go out for their anniversary. I am a seasoned mother of 3 and thought that it would be no big deal. HA! I was ready to tear my hair out after just one hour! They all seemed to need something at the same time. I was a nervous wreck by the time they came home. She did tell me that at first they were a novelty and had lots of offers of help. Now, all that's faded away and real life has set in. I am going to make a conscious effort to help her out more often. She really has seemed to age quite a bit in the past few months.

 

[jamsmom]

What a good friend you are. Maybe you could help her while she is there? or get soemone to help you help her? I think it is very sweet of you to want to help her out again. I am SURE she really appreciates it.

 

[pumba]

and your babysitting day.........I would have the triplets come to our house once in a while when the parents were on a break.....they were something else.....I did at one point ....look down at them all and laugh my head off.......I have had three babies at once with my daycare....and this was a riot......My niece had done all the same things.....started off breastfeeding and went to formula....two were anti formula and one had a soy formula......they did have alot of support from neighbors and friends and especially the old relatives.....I loved it always......tell your friend that life does exist after it calms down......Brennan.....Elizabeth and Nick.....all are in kindergarten......DO tell her to find a support group of multiples.....they must have them in her city and tell her to join.....it may be her only moments of sanity........

 

[4greatboys]

Jill your are so sweet for offering to help them out. I dont know how they do it, Im not sure I could do that and still be sane in the end. Maybe if you have another friend who is willing to help out you could both watch them together so it wouldnt be so bad on just one person alone.
Is your friend a member of a church? If so maybe you could let them know they need a little assistance.
I will definately keep your friend and her family in my prayers. It sounds like they need all the help they can get.

 

[Lucky4me]

The poor thing! How can she possibly keep track of who got changed/fed/slept/bathed without writing it down?! I'd have to do that or I'd lose my sanity.

When I was 12, (12!) I babysat full time for my brothers twins when they were 3 months old. I lived with them for the summer and did it ALL. Cooking, cleaning, laundry (at the laundromat!) and they also had a 3 year old! I think back on it and wonder how in Gods name I did it. I don't remember anything except for how darn cute those little guys were.

There are websites out their for parents of multiples. Not that she'll have any time to check them out!

You're a good friend for helping her out. She should always remember that.

 

[RUDisney]

One of the people I work with first had twin boys. They really wanted a girl, so when the boys were 2, they got their girl... along with 2 other boys. Yes, 5 children in the house under 2. They tell stories about the first 2 years of the triplets lives. They say the could count on one hand how many times they went out during those first two years together, with the kids.

God bless your friend for the path her life has taken. I'm sure it will get easier for her, (and I'm sure she's thrilled to have these children,) but I'm sure her tunnel doesn't have a light in it now.

 

[luv2nascar]

God bless them
some days you don't know which end is up with only one in diapers
even three at home of different ages would be difficult
but they have the almost impossible

 

[CamColt]

Oh my! Sounds like she will be busy for quite some time. Too bad she cant find those schedules.
And good for you for trying to help out. She needs friends like you right now.

 

[minniecarousel]

Jill - my brother's triplets are 5 years old now. They had live-in help for the first year of their lives.(Not paid - just an older woman who was like my SIL's mother.) I would go out and help them after work for the afternoon & evening occasionally. Even now, we usually at least "double-team" them. Next time you volunteer to watch them, take along a friend. It's really not bad with at least two people. We (my brother's siblings) have watched the kids for a few days at a time so they can get away. I swear, my niece and nephews have definetely aged my brother (he was 47 when they were born!) But they are sooo cute!

You are a good friend to help her out.