is it much harder having 3 kids then 2?

Question

i have 2 boys ages 2 and 4 my eldest is starting school in september and i am due my third and final child in september will 3 kids be much harder?

i have a partner who works full time, i have just left work to be at home with the kids until they are all at school/nursery

Answer 1

i hope not i am pregnant with my third, but its the way you cope and handle things i am 1 of three my parents said all was good until i hit the age of 2 i must have been a pain in the backside

Answer 2

I didn't find it was. I have 4 kids, age 10, 8, 4 and 2. Having my first was hardest - it's such a huge change to your life, then it was hard having my second - trying to divide my time and attention between the two of them. My third and fourth just fitted into the family as if they had always been there! I was so much more confident dealing with the babies, the older kids were interested in the little ones and wanted to do little things to help out. Having kids is hard work anyway - no matter how many you have - but you'll be amazed at what you are capable of! All the very best of luck to you and your family.

Answer 3

Of course, it is somewhat harder. There is more work and a new baby but you also have a lot going for you. When your oldest is starting school, your newest will be just coming home. You can work on scheduling your 2 year olds naps or rest times when baby goes down and you need to rest. I know several moms that have 3-10 children and they have happy households but also more work. There are tough days even when you had just one. Work isn't bad if you have the right attitude. This is good work. You will adjust and you will have 3 sweet children to enjoy. Hopefully, your baby will be a calm one but if not you will have to be creative and learn how to direct their attention and obedience. Your oldest can do simple tasks around the home and should help out and be praised for being a good helper. Even the 2 year old can help mommy. The daddy needs to help out too. It is part of being a family. It will be a blessing for all of you.

Hopefully, you have a mom or nice mother-in-law who will come and help the first few weeks. If not, you can ask friends to help out and if they offer to bring meals, say yes. Any offer of help is good. If you can afford it, hire a school girl that is good with kids to come and help you with the 2 oldest a few afternoons a week. Even if she is only there for 2 hours and really entertains them, it will be a big help to you. You can do this!!!!

Answer 4

my wife is expecting our 3rd baby who is due on thursday and we are not at all worried about how we will cope, yes it will be hard work but once in a routine then I think that things will be fine. Take help when offered to you and make time for all your children on an idividual basis, even 20 minutes a day is better than none at all. You could also try and see if there is a baby and toddler group in your area and take the new baby and your 2 year old along, you will likey meet alot of other mums in a similiar situation. You have obviously managed having your 1st baby and then a 2nd child so I have every faith in you that you will manage with 3. Take each day as it comes. good luck

Answer 5

I have 3.. the first two are 16 months apart and my youngest is 4 years younger than the middle1! I must admit that when i have the two at home and the eldest is out there does seem to be less arguments than if they were all in (not that they always argue as they are good kids) and they are all teenagers!!! lol! I wouldn't change having 3 for the world tho so go for it!

Answer 6

it is noticibly harder once the third one comes along, for lots of reasons like you can't spend as much time doing what you would have been doing with the other two. This can cause your other children to behave in an attention seeking manner which obviously disrupts things a bit. That said there are lots of positives too, if you are confident that you are making a good job with the first two, then the next one could be good idea.

Answer 7

My sister has a theory, when you've got 2 it's no different no matter how many more come along. On any Friday and Saturday night and Sunday day there are about 6 kids at hers. She has a 7 year old daughter and 3 year old boy/girl twins. She usually has their cousins too who are 7, 4 and 18 months. The more the merrier. It teaches them to share. Keep your legs crossed after this one though!!! he he he!

Answer 8

Nope, it's actually easier with more kids. Adding my number two was the hardest, because I had to learn how to split my time. By the time number three came along, it was easier AND my older two played together pretty well.

You'll find your oldest starting school will be the hardest change. The schedule that it demands, plus packing up the littles to take him to school, all the school parties and volunteer expectations will really suck the energy and time right out of you.

Answer 9

The change from one child to two children isn't a big deal. The jump from two to three can be "a mild version of the straw that broke the camel's back" when it comes to the tendency to have your previous sense of perfect order unravel a little.

It isn't too hard, by any means; but it is a noticeable jump.

Answer 10

Well, first of all, congratulations on the newest addition. Now, I am the oldest of 7 children. So, I probably got lucky that my mother made me help out with my brothers and sisters. But, I myself stopped after my 3rd son. I do not know how my mother did it with 7 of us. Especially as a single mother. However, I read your question and everyones responses. Then, I sat here for about an hour and thought about your question. You know, I really dont know if it was harder with 3 than it was with 2. I am recently divorced, but it seems easier now that I am a single mom, than it did when I was married. NO, dont rush off and get divorced. You will always have to remember that your actually having your 4th child. You already have 3. Your 2 little boys and then your 1 big boy. Your husband will help you out, I am sure of it. He appears to be ok with you staying home to care for the kids, as I did after our 2nd until our 3rd was old enough for preschool. But you must remember that even though you will be the primary care giver for those 3 precious little ones, you must not forget your first child. Your husband. Dont forget to tiny little things for him every now and then so that he remembers that you did not forget him. The kids are going to take up alot of your time. No matter how organized you think you are. I live out a date book, and 90% of my time is spent doing something for the kids. Between doctor appts, soccer, baseball, football, friends, play dates, birthday parties. You name it and somewhere in my book you will find it. But, no matter how organized I think I am, I still hussle in the morning, even getting up at 5am, and we dont need to leave til 7:30 am. I can not sit and tell you that it will be any easier or any harder. That is a conclusion you will come to on your own. But as long as you and your husband remember to do for each other every now and then, I recommend one thing at least once a day, you WILL be fine, I promise. Even if it something as tiny as getting him a cup of coffee, or offering to play with the kids so she can go get a REAL shower for once. And not just a quick dip in soap....LOL. As long as you do this, you guys will not only stand together during all the play time, but it will instill good role models for your kids. Yes, I know that this is coming from a divorcee, but my ex-husband and I did not divorce over our kids, we divorced for other reasons. And to this day, one year after our divorce we remain friends because of our children, and let me tell you, it is a blessing. But, I do admit, my hardest part of having just the 3 boys around is making sure that my middle son doesnt get forgotten. My oldest always gets to do everything first, and my youngest always gets noticed because he is the baby. So I always set a little extra time aside for my middle son, so that he does not end up with the classic "middle child syndrome". Keep these little things in mind and let your husband read it too. Just remind him that he doesnt act like a child, and that is nto waht I am implying. Just think of all the things that you do for him that you do for the kids also. Meals, laundry, cleaning, just your everyday things, and this is what I mean by him being like one of th kids. But remember he loves you like an adult and vice versa. Well, I think that is enough from me. Good luck, and again congratualtions.