Need Some Words of Wisdom

I know a woman who had 7 pregancies in 5 years. She had 4 under age 6. Another couple had 4 kids in 5 1/2 years(all accidents they would tell people???). The first couple allowed extended family and friends to help out quite a bit, though there were divorced grandparents and that was a bit awkward at first. They all lived within 20 minutes of the family.

The second family was military and moved right before number 4 was born. They picked a church fast and put in a prayer request for help, stating their situation and their needs. I was so impressed by the husband asking for help because he had to work and leave town for training. He was a macho guy sort of, but realized his wife could not do it alone.

I have to say, that church came through with babysitting, meals, cleaning, driving, mowing, and even fixing the car. I have never seen strangers come together in real life to help someone who can not possibly return the favor.

I did not do a schedule with my child, but I sure would with 3. And I would insist on a nap/quiet time. I would not let anyone give the children caffeine(tea, cola, frappes).

Congratulations. :0)

Creativity!!! My daughter was 14mths when my son was born. She was walking all over & I used a "leash" in parking lots to keep her safe. I used a baby carrier for son & then I could also put her on my hip if I needed. She would sit in grocery cart while son was in carrier. tricky is going to bathroom with newborn & toddler by yourself!! It can be done!! Also, both needing diaper changes, but no diaper changing station? Puppy pads are awesome for this!! Lay them out on back seat or floor of somewhat clean bathroom & poof done & throw when your done! Cooking suppers, taking showers, all things things have to be planned for & thought out, but they can be done! I had both at home while I did all the paperwork for my husband's business!! It can be done. Just when you think no way, get creative!! Congrats!

wow! congrats! all i can say is schedual schedual schedual!!! have a great schedual set up. you will also need daddy to be on the same page with you and helps you handle the 3 kids. or at least 2 of them if you bf the baby. also see if grandma and grandpa on either side can maybe take the little older kids for an hour or 2 once a week so you can clean rest etc.

Organization is key. If you are not a naturally organized person, check out www.flylady.com for some good advice on getting that way. You'll want to simplify your life so that you can focus on your family and on YOU (you need to take care of yourself). If you can have any help with the housework - even a high school girl who can come in a few hours a week to do laundry and vacuuming - it will be well worth it. Let your closest friends and relatives know that you will need and appreciate their moral support! Whatever you do, keep your sense of humor and be thankful for all your babies! This will be quite an adventure, but many other women have done it and you can too. (I wasn't quite in your situation, but my four arrived within 5-1/2 years.)

I have three kids under the age of 7 and it is the hardest thing I have ever done. I have NO help and every day of my life is a struggle. It will help you tremendously if you have family who live close by to help you. Do you? I have no family close to me! It also will help you tremendously if you can afford some help (which we can not). If you cannot afford help or have local family, your life will be very difficult like mine is for the next 3 or 4 years. Don't mean to scare you, just giving you the reality of the situation. Best of luck!

You need to have a schedule. I had four kiddos under five years old and the key was getting all to nap at the same time so I could have at least 30 minutes or an hour to be "off duty". Also, you will need to get out of the house...like another poster said - even just for a drive when you can turn on some kids music will help. Good luck and take it one day at a time.

I have a friend with four under 7 and they do fine...I think it's just something you adjust to. And you will never have a dull moment. Wine will help after they're in bed :-) Congratulations!

I have 3 too......they are now 3, 5, & 6.....my 3 & 6 yr olds bdays are only 9 days apart, so i feel your pain.........all i can say is that you will get thru it, here are some things that helped me:
1) I never had any help but if you have family, use them!!!
2)take naps with the kids
3)take drives, you don't have to have a destination!!
4)have lots of crayons, markers, paper etc
5) let the kids watch t.v./movies, it won't hurt them
6)let the kids help, it makes them feel important
7) pick your battles & let the rest go

Congrats & good luck :)

One day at a time. :) Yes, it is hard, but perspective is everything. Remember that you cannot do it all. Try to get some meals in the freezer. Don't expect too much from yourself. These days really do fly by, but they don't seem like it while you are in the middle of it. My oldest turned 4 five days after my third was born. We moved across country 5 weeks later. Yes, it was hard. But, we managed. Will your husband help you? What are his expectations? Will you be breastfeeding? I honestly think that this helps so much as you don't have any extra washing to do. It is just always ready to go. Plan to stay home a lot at first. We played in the backyard and stayed close to home. Make sure your oldest is well disciplined now so that you won't have those issues later. Diligently train him now so that he will be a help and not a frustration to you. It amazes me what the littles really can do with proper training. Blessings to you! You will be okay. :)

I had 3 kids under 4 years old. It will be OK. Time really does fly by when you have kids!

Try not to do too much, too soon. Take it slow and don't worry about the little things in the beginning.

~My hubby works Mon-Fri and wasn't around much during the week to help much when the kids were itty-bitty and I felt a bit overwhelmed with all the chores....so I left the laundry to do till the weekend when he was here to help...it was a genius move, we still do it this way now and believe it it not, it's part of our "adult time"...we watch cheesy movies and fold laundry together on Sunday, Love it!

I have multiples and the key is:

1 )Schedule - put them all on one and stick with it

2) Nap/quiet time - do it for each of them and stick with it. Even as they get older

3) don't 'wait' to so something - just take the 2-5 minutes to get it done then. I found when I waited to do something (like clean the bottles/pump stuff, unload the dishwasher, etc.) it ALWAYS came back to bite me. Just do 'it' right then and there when you notice it.

4) if you don't have family try to get a 'mother's helper' - a 10 -13 yo from your neighborhood to come in and help one or two afternoons a week. They usually charge $5.00 an hour - well worth it.

5) This may seem a bit disingenuous if you're not into the church, but a lot of churches offer bible study or women's prayer sessions and offer child care during that time. Look for those.. and the prayer time certainly won't hurt - even if it's not your thing right now, maybe it will turn out to be! Westwood Church and St. Victoria church offer something like this in Chaska and Victoria respectively. Some churches also offer child care during services...

Many many women have gone thru this and you'll soon find out that you can too. You're very blessed - there are many women who would give anything to have this be their problem. You can do it!!