Guilt About Adding Number Three

My three kids are all 1 year apart. Two is much easier than three. It's hard to explain till you get there.

But I made time, each night and once each month, to spend alone with my 3. It was only 15 minutes each night (finding 45 minutes in a day is hard) and a few hours each month, but it seemed to work for me.

I hope you're working on your weight loss (from your other posts)... not just for success of the next pregnancy but for your health.

Having 3 you really need to be ready for a marathon. Oddly, I was in better shape after the 3rd one than I am now, and part of that is due to having little time for myself... finding time to exercise and sticking to it is a must. Otherwise the trio will run you ragged.

You want your 3 to be healthy too, so while they're young enough to really control get the nutrition right, the sweets out, and make them "exercise" with you. Family walks each night and things.

Good luck!

Well, I had #3 16 months ago. My other children are older (12 and 7 at the time), so it was a bit easier for them to understand. My 7 year old was initially apprehensive because she liked being the baby of the family. One thing that really works is letting them be your helpers with the new baby (to the extent they are able to help, such as getting a diaper, picking up the baby's bottle or pacifier, etc.). And even though they were older, I was still very conscious of wanting to give them individual time. Having a support network makes that easier -- someone else can stay with the baby for an hour or two every so often while you spend some time with the other kiddos.

At first it is tough -- newborns are a lot of work! -- but soon enough you get into a rhythm.

Don't feel guilty or apprehensive -- you will have time for all of your children!

I think anytime a baby comes it is a miracle. Be happy that you and your husband are in agreement and enjoy. I think having my second was more stressful than my third. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to love any other child as much as my first. However, the moment he was born my heart grew twice as big and allowed for all the love I needed. So, when number three came less than two years later I was not worried. You will find the time and the heart for whatever God gives you.

Truthfully the fourth was even better than the third. Rejoice in the gift of God and expect the Lord to increase your capacity for all things you need.

As a mother of 5 I can tell you not only will you make it work, you will love it. I don't think you can really enjoy your babies until #3, lol!

#1 we are so excited about them growing up we rush it.
#2 We are worried about doing all the things right we messed up with #1
#3 we can relax, the other 2 turned out fine, haahaa!

SO I say go for it. YOu will have plenty of love to go around, they will play with each other, it will be wonderful, sometimes overwhelming but Wonderful!

Just wait until they are a little older and more independent. Then they can help you with the new baby, and you won't feel so guilty. My kids are 7 and 6, and only now am I seriously thinking about another baby. Starting school makes them more independent, plus it gives you more time to spend with an infant since they are gone most of the day. Good luck!

I have 3, and I love every minute of it. People will tell you it is hard, and it is. You schedule time with each kid. We are actually expecting number 4 now, and I can't wait to have my 2 boys and my 2 girls with me.

Three is much harder than 2! Having said that, I love it and wouldn't have it any other way. Two children didn't feel complete and now with the 3rd, I know that I am finished. My second and third are only 19 months apart...so your children will be a little older, which will help. I've always had the kids in MDO, so I was able to spend some one on one with each child. You may look into that for your kids, if even once a week. You're in a good position to have that 3rd baby. You really cherish the 3rd one...the first baby is super exciting, the second one, you're even more excited, but you wonder how it all went so fast and you wish they'd slow down. With the 3rd, well you have the routine down. You'll be crazed for about 6 month - I won't lie to you, but after that, you will have forgotten what it felt like with just 2 kids.