3 under 5 - when does it get easier?

kj*daisy

Don't worry about the TV thing, I know these days they tell you they shouldn't be watching it, but my eldest watched loads when I was pregnant with my second, and has just hit top groups at school so mainlining Thomas the Tank Engine when neccessary at age 2 did him no harm at all, as long as you are reading and doing other stuff as well they will be fine to help you through this bit.

themull1

beanymagoo wrote: »

I have just had my 5th and I have to agree with the above quote that the more you have the easier it gets lol! My eldest is 8 and he is great at helping out with homework etc for my two 5 year olds. My 5 year olds help get drinks etc for my 2 year old and my 2 year old helps get things like nappys and wipes! I decided years ago to not listen to the reports about limiting tv etc for children. Thanks to the tv and internet my 2 year old can work a mouse, knows all her numbers up to 20 and can recite the alphabet. While she is busy learning from the internet it gives me a little time to get some household jobs done! You will get there and it will all be worth it although it might not feel that way at times. x

Is it not easier because all the kids are doing your job?

peaceandfreedom

Tea-and-Cake wrote: »

When will this get easier, life is not much fun at the moment, I knew it would be busy with 3 young children but I also thought it would be fun!

The advice from Valli is excellent and I agree with it all. I can remember very distinctly being in the exact same position as you and I can assure you it DOES get easier.

With a new baby a toilet-training toddler and a school-age child, the house IS going to be noisy, messy and chaotic - but if you relax and accept that, things will become a great deal easier. Put your energy and attention into looking after the children - all the other things can take a bit of a back seat for while. Go with the flow and refuse to allow housekeeping details to upset you.

Of those thousands of things that need to be done - just pick the things that really need to be done and forget the rest for a while. You sound like you are being too hard on yourself. And let them watch more TV, it won't harm them while you all get used to the new house dynamic.

I remember when my kids were very similar ages, my toddler didn't want to toilet-train and I was comatose from exhaustion. I bumped into someone whose children were older and she said to me 'Don't listen to anyone who says it gets harder as they get older - it doesn't - this is as hard as it gets'. I was so grateful.

Racheldevon

Have you registered with your local sure start children's centres - maybe now's a good time to pop along/make an appointment to get some support. All the services are free, so why not find out how they might be able to help

pollyanna24

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

I realised when DS2 was born that I didn't much like 2 year olds. DS1 was 2.5 years old.

Then we had one of life's happy surprises, arriving when DS2 was 2.25.

And when DS3 was a year old, I wondered if I'd like 2 year olds any better when I didn't have a baby at the same time. I didn't ...

Haha, this sounds like me. I only have 2, and my youngest is about to turn 2.

I kept telling myself she would be easier than her sister was when she was 2, as I wouldn't have a newborn to look after as well. But now, I have decided that my youngest is the spawn of the devil, despite the amazingly blonde hair and blue eyes.

Since the youngest has been born, I find I keep saying to myself, "This time next year, it will be easier." But it's not! It's just different problems!!

System

The more kids i had, the more i relied on routine. Ok, sometimes it didnt always work out but i life sometimes got in the way.

Up until the kids went to nursery they always had an afternoon nap (1-2ish) which preserved my sanity. The youngest didnt need an afternoon nap but he lay on the settee quite happily and peacefully.

Bed time was always 7 oclock at that age in which the older ones would take a book to bed and the younger ones wouldnt need a book as they pretty well zonked out.

Happy times

esmf73

Cut yourself some slack OP, realise that all the other so called perfect mums have at least one area in their lives where they struggle. Just concentrate on your family and don't forget yourself. Do what you can, if others expect you to do more, ask them to help!

emweaver

Tea-and-Cake wrote: »

Can I have a little moan and get a little advise please? I have 3 kids under 5, the youngest is 2 months old so everday is non stop hard work. I have a crying baby, a potty training toddler who hits (to get attention I think) and a 4.5 year old who constantly want help with arts and crafts and never stops talking. So the house is chaotic, messy and loud and I have a headache and a thousand tasks to do everyday. The only way to get things done it to put the tv on for the children but I try not to rely on it for more than an hour a day (broken into chunks) When will this get easier, life is not much fun at the moment, I knew it would be busy with 3 young children but I also thought it would be fun!

I know how you feel, well technically Ive only 2 under 5 as the eldest is 6. But I find it hard work with a 6 week old and a 1 year old.

Savvy_Sue

Judi wrote: »

Up until the kids went to nursery they always had an afternoon nap (1-2ish) which preserved my sanity. The youngest didnt need an afternoon nap but he lay on the settee quite happily and peacefully.

This reminded me of a couple of tips for the OP ...

Sometimes I needed a nap, even if they didn't! So we would all have a 'quiet time', either lying on my bed together, or on the settee. They were right fidgets, but it helped a bit.

And you don't have to do things right away. So with my eldest, I often said "I will do that with you, but I am going to sit here until I've finished my cup of tea." I also developed a taste for cold tea ...

keelykat

I am finding it hard at times with a 10 month old and 4 year old-so don't beat yourself up.

Some great advice and replies so far, I agree about letting your standards drop slightly especially with housework. I would rather my kids be happy then me trying to keep a perfect house and have the kids upset/running riot/getting into trouble. I do a quick tidy up, and do washing etc when hubby gets home or they are in bed.

My baby has short naps (sometimes only 2o mins) and my 4 year old rarely naps-but we have quiet time instead.