need a plan...feeling overwhelmed by the thought of three kids

[caedmyn]

DS is 18 months and DD is 4.5. #3 is due this fall. I am feeling very overwhelmed by the thought of dealing with three children...fact is I tend to feel overwhelmed most days with just two. DD is a fairly easy child but DS is intense, high needs, perpetual motion, and into EVERYTHING constantly. I'm generally frazzled by the time breakfast is done just from trying to keep him out of things long enough to get breakfast made. He doesn't play with toys, he just likes to get into everything, particularly if it's food related. Any time I'm fixing food he spends the entire time moving between a kitchen chair that he moves around the counter, and the couch (there's a half wall between kitchen & living room and he knows if I scoot something away from his reach in the kitchen he can reach it from the other side). We mostly follow a whole foods diet and both kids have a bunch of food intolerances so that doesn't help make life any easier.

I really need to think of a plan on how to cope with three kiddos. Something beyond...I'll just stay home all the time aside from going to church, we'll eat cereal and canned soup for meals, and DH can do the grocery shopping.

[phathui5]

I'd strongly recommend a postpartum doula (some will do it as a volunteer if they're working towards getting certified) or a mother's helper for the first few weeks after you have the new baby.

Next, a routine. It doesn't have to be a strict schedule, but try to work out some kind of daily or weekly routine for yourself and the kids. I get a lot more done when I have a plan and the kids like knowing what we're going to do each day.

[lotus.blossom]

Will your daughter be in school at all? I only have 2 but if you think about it, if you have a so called "easy" baby you could sling them a lot and get stuff done. Learn how to do a back carry as early as possible, I had a friend who back carried her 3rd as soon as his head was stable.

Sometimes I find that leaving the house is easier than staying home. I wallow when I am at home. Because my 13 month old is so busy that I just get stuck in my tracks all day and wish I could just have a few minutes to get something done! I was lucky in that #2 loves being out and about and is a really mellow fellow. Goodluck!!

[caedmyn]

Originally Posted by lotus.blossom

Will your daughter be in school at all? I only have 2 but if you think about it, if you have a so called "easy" baby you could sling them a lot and get stuff done. Learn how to do a back carry as early as possible, I had a friend who back carried her 3rd as soon as his head was stable.

Sometimes I find that leaving the house is easier than staying home. I wallow when I am at home. Because my 13 month old is so busy that I just get stuck in my tracks all day and wish I could just have a few minutes to get something done! I was lucky in that #2 loves being out and about and is a really mellow fellow. Goodluck!!

DD won't start school for another year. I actually think she'll be a big help if the baby is mellow...would be thrilled to hold her all day, change diapers, etc. And I am planning a nice stash of baby carriers and really hoping for an easy one who just conks out in a carrier. I'm just afraid I'll get another screamer like DS, who hated everything and tried to let the people in China know how unhappy he was for several hours a day.

[*Aimee*]

DS1 just turned 4 today, DS2 is 26 months old and my new baby boy is 4.5 months old, so I hear ya! I was so scared right before I had him, like a "what was I thinking!" sort of thing but it has been so wonderful. Much easier than going from 1-2. The older boys play together and keep each other entertained while I deal with the baby. They both love him and love helping him when he needs something.

Don't get me wrong it is tough at times. I'm just now able to feel confident taking them places alone. We go to the zoo, grocery shopping, wherever and though it takes longer to get everyone in and out of carseats it's fun. You can do it!!!