How much more hard work are 3 children than 2?

Question

Im mum of 2 boys and suspect im pregnant with no3

My sons are 11 and 3

Answer 1

My kids are 7, 3, 22 mths and 11 mths. 3 boys, then the princess! I think anyone who says having another made no difference is not being entirely honest. Whenever you add another baby in, it's a lot more work. It really depends on their ages and how they are with their siblings.
For me, having my 2nd was a very easy adjustment. My oldest was 4 so he was excited to help, when I had my 3rd, my boys were 5 and 3. It was a MUCH bigger adjustment for me because my 3 year old was a handful who was a little jealous, plus caring for a newborn. That took alot for me to get used to, I felt like I was always falling short with one of them. Eventually you just figure it out b/c you have to. Same thing for having my 4th. The boys were 7, 3, and 11 mths. That was a huge adjustment that I still can barely handle a year later!
You'll find that things you used to be adamant about like washing the binky every time it hits the floor or other things you did, you'll loosen up about b/c you just don't have the time for it. Then you'll laugh at the mothers of one for going overboard!

Answer 2

Hi first of all congatulations
and as momoffour said just routine that is so true. I am also a mum to four and funnily enough I found baby number four did not make too much difference but baby number three really did make me get my act together as you just have to be organised eg like having all the ironing done ahead of when you will be needing it (I used to do it as I needed it) making lunches the night before having a set day for each house task etc all simple little things like that by the time my forth baby came along I had such a good routine and I suppose things just fell into place much more quickly as you know the first three months at least are such hard work with any newborn but ohh so worth it. Hope all goes well for you and good luck with your new baby.

Answer 3

hi and congrats if you are indeed pregnant!!!
i have a 12 year old and 9 year old, and now a 2 year old!
i was a bit concerned about a big gap, but as you probably found between your 1st and 2nd, the older they are, the more helpful they are...well mine have been! the 3 year gap was ok but the 1st was quite jealous at first, especially when i was sat breatfeeding baby #2; i offered to read #1 her favourite book etc when breastfeeding, and sometimes that worked...other times i had cushions thrown at me! but then when i was cooking etc i would see #1 reading to #2 and trying to make her laugh (they are all girls btw) and now they are best friends half the time and muddle along the other half!!
when #3 arrived there was no jealousy as the oldest could see why i was busy and taken up with feeds and nappies, and i explained that if i had been bottle feeding they could have all had a go but i felt breast was best etc (for me, i know not all mums get on with it and i struggled and gave up with my first) and they have enjoyed entertaining #3 and amusing their friends with half embarrassed/half affectionate stories of her activities etc!
personally i'd have a big gap all the time!! or else a very small gap so you don't get out of the fuzzy chaos before the next arrives and then you don't notice the difference so much!!
to the mum going for ten... congrats to your bravery and sense of adventure, if i had a big enough income and car i'd love more tho i'm not sure ten is for me!!!

Answer 4

I would have to say it depends how far apart the children will be. I am a stay at home mom of 3 children, ages 3,2, 8 months and the third child was kind of like riding a bike. I think the transition from 1-2 was the hardest, but when we added the third, we were into the swing of things. The fun thing is, your older children can now help to provide entertainment and playmates for your younger. I also find that my older children want to "help" with the baby which is a help-
they like to play with him, or play peek a boo with him while I'm trying to clean house or prepare meals.
If you are pregnant, congrats and good luck!

Answer 5

Well, using complex mathematical calculations (i'm a douglas adams fan) I've come to the conclusion that it is NOT 47, but 1/3; One third more hard work, but wait... that's assuming all three children need the same amount of "work" or attention, hold on, calculating... Since (giving that the "older" children are well behaved, (or at least sufficiently frightened enough of you & dad to behave), the younger child will need more attention, but at the same time, more sleep...I'll stick with the 1/3 more work!

Answer 6

Depends on the age gap. I had 3, the first 2 were 3 yrs apart and then I had a 6 yr gap betweeen 2nd and 3rd. i felt much more relaxed and the older 2 were quite a help. Hope all goes well with you. Dont worry, big families are great!

Answer 7

Now you're really outnumbered, it's always loud, and you will be in utter chaos for at least 6 months after the 3rd is born. It never mellows out but you adapt in about that time and discover you really can run in record time to rescue kid #2 from the top of the refrigerator while holding a 50 lb kid #1 in one arm, all the while singing kid #3 to sleep in the playpen nearby. Good luck!

Answer 8

I fell pregnant with my third child when my first one was two and a half and my second was nine months and it wasn't any different from having two. Yes you definitely need routine and strict bedtime rules so you can have time for yourself and your hubby, but the routine falls into place really quickly.


Don't worry if you are pregnant everything will all fall into place. I guarantee this from experience.

Congratulations if you are pregnant and Good luck.

Answer 9

Hi, Your first baby turns your life upside down, with your second it's hard trying to juggle the demands of two, but after that they just fit into your family as if they've always been there ( I've got four ). You also find that looking after a baby again is so easy!

Answer 10

once you get in a routine with the new babby and your other 2 children youl b fine!its not as bad as some people say!i have 3 children all under the age of 8 an its great,you manage just fine!goodluck