Calling mothers and fathers of four (or more!) Advice!

Jo_R_2

Calling mothers and fathers of four...

We've just found out we're expecting another bundle of joy, due date is a bit muddled yet but somewhere in October we think!

I was fairly convinced we'd stick at three (DDs from previous relationship, DS with OH) but we were of the mind that if it happens, it happens.. which it inevitably did:D

Thing is, we've not long been in a three bedroom house, DDs share and DS has his own (single) room. I really don't want to move because DD1 has been pulled around three primary/infant schools now and it's just not fair to do that to her again - of course if we could move within catchment that would work but there's pretty much nothing coming up so that's off the cards.

We're not sure where we're going to put (new) baby once he's a year or so. Obviously he or she can be in our room, and we'll need to get another cot, but not sure how to use DS's single room. If it's a girl then potentially she can go in with DDs as there'd be room, and I reckon we could just fit two cots in DS's room but not sure of anything regarding beds!

We also recently bought a car, we squeeze three car seats in the back so we're gonna have to get another, and OH keeps going on about people carriers guzzling fuel, he wants to convert a Ford Transit:D

A double buggy is in order but not sure which is best to get, as needing one that will hold one car seat as well as DS?

It's a bit scary but great, it comes at the time when we've just found out my mum is clear from endometrial cancer literally yesterday so I feel happy as anything (mum is really pleased too bless her!) but just wanted to know what other people's situations are with four (or more) and how you've adapted, how has baby # 4 fitted into the routine you already have, sleeping arrangements with yours (esp. with whether they're boys or girls) and anything else that I might find helpful!

turbo

Hello Jo, can't offer any advice about having a fourth child but just wanted to say Congratulations!.
Such good news about your Mum.


Turbo

Brighton_belle

congraulations Jo on 2 huge bits of really good news.
I have no advice re kids and space,but I'd get back to the de clutter thread double quick if I were you, as that will help:D:D

Jo_R_2

Brighton_belle wrote: »

congraulations Jo on 2 huge bits of really good news.
I have no advice re kids and space,but I'd get back to the de clutter thread double quick if I were you, as that will help:D:D

Hehe that might be a very, very good idea Thing is with how I feel at the mo (does explain why I've been feeling uber tired recently!) I suspect the decluttering may take slightly longer than I would like:eek:

code-a-holic

Congratulations!
I have 4 children and im sure i dont need to tell you that. there are a few practical things to look at.
Tell hubby not to worry about gas gusling people carriers - they arnt all that way. I have a grand picasso and have had a sharan and galaxy in the past all 1.9tdi's. They dont cost much me more to run that a mondeo my husband used to have.

We have 2 boys 7 and 5 yrs and 2 girls aged 4 and 10 months. we have a boys room and a girls room. A bunk bed in both rooms - shorty bunk beds are a godsend too! My youngest went in to the girls room in her cot 4 months ago.
All the kids go to be at 7.30 at the same time and its working fantasticlly.

Im a buggy addict, with the middle 2 being 11 months apart, double buggy was an essential. I had a bertini shuttle with a toddler seat so it could be used as a single or a double - loved it. Avoid 3 wheeler doubles - as youngest gets bigger they become hard to control and as a mother of 4 your back will have enough wear and tear anyway!

Good luck getting organised and wishing you a smooth pregnancy!

tuggy

How old are the existing children?

Jo_R_2

Tuggy - DD1 is 6, DD2 is 3 and DS has not long had his first birthday. So all fairly close in age, DS will be about 19 months (I think?) when baby is born.

code-a-holic - that's good about the people carriers. OH is set on converting a Transit but tbh he has enough on with work and other stuff he wants to get done around the house, not to mention the kids so I don't want him taking another project on just now!

I always carried DD1 and DD2 (and DS up til recently) in a sling when they were little, however I did find having DS in a sling, lovely as it is, and pushing DD2 in a pushchair (she can walk but does get tired easily) was knackering me and my poor back out. So a double buggy it will have to be, still looking around but will check out the ones you mention.

kjmtidea

I have 4 children, it's great chaotic fun :rotfl:. I have 4 boys who are 2,4,6 and 8. The best double pushchair that I have had is the jane powertwin and I know that you can use carseats on it. We are also in a 3 bedroom house, me and my partner are in the box room so that the children can have the bigger rooms - 2 in one and 2 in the other.

We won't be moving for quiet a while so we just make do with what we have, we are lucky that we have a very big lounge. We don't drive so I can't help with the car issues i'm afraid!

Oh also I used slings a lot with my youngest, I have 2 mei tais that are fantastic and don't cripple my back.

Spendless

Congratulations Jo.:beer:

Could you give us more details about the smallest room eg size and lay-out and then I'll put my thinking cap on for ideas.

Jo_R_2

kjmtidea - Thanks for pushchair info, will check out.

Not sure we could fit in the smallest room but we do have a reasonably-sized dining room which potentially could be used as a bedroom if needed so that's something to think about.

I do have a mei tai, unfortunately it's not the slings per se, I just have a wonky back which is giving me more trouble as I get older (and have more babies!) I suspect pushing DD2 about when she's quite hefty doesn't help matters either.

Spendless - OH has got the tape measure at work but I'll get measuring in a bit when he's back

cazscoob

Congratulations JO! we have 5 here dd9,ds8,dd4,ds2,dd1
things can be mad but a good routine is a lifesaver, we are in a 4 bed at the moment and the 2 boys share, the 2 little girls share and the oldest has her own room.
As a self confessed pram aholic i have quite a few here but only 1 twin, we have the Phil and Teds which i love and find very easy to push around. Due to DS2 wanting to walk everywhere i usually use a buggy and buggyboard. I would say to go and have a play around as the pram i had set my heart on was not practical when seen in the flesh and i nearly spent £700 on something i would have hated lol!!!
We have a people carrier and i dont thinks its any worse on fuel than a car, it has lots of room and boot space to get everything in inc buggies, changing bags shopping etc etc. we have the galaxy which has the added bonus of removable seats!