Moms of 3..what is life like as a family of 5?

DH and I are considering going for number 3 but so many people have told us the world is set up for families of 4. I've even have some people who have three tell that although they love their kids, number three put them over the edge and to stick with 2.

I know all the practical reasons to stick with 2: cars, travel, daycare we have a 3 bedroom house, the expense of putting 3 kids through college.

To me, our car seats five, it might be tight but we will fit. Travel is 1 or 2 weeks a year, not a reason to decide yes or no. We can swing daycare. My older boys can share a room. Whatever we can save for college we will and we'll take out loans, DH and I both had too and we payed them off already.

What is day to day like? Life with 2 is crazy and I have no time for myself until the kids are in bed, I figure not much is going to change by adding in one more.

Is one kid always left out? Do you have enough of you to spread around? Do you feel outnumbered? Are there places that are hard to go with five?

Re: Moms of 3..what is life like as a family of 5?

Posted by luvnlife

DH and I are considering going for number 3 but so many people have told us the world is set up for families of 4. I've even have some people who have three tell that although they love their kids, number three put them over the edge and to stick with 2.

I know all the practical reasons to stick with 2: cars, travel, daycare we have a 3 bedroom house, the expense of putting 3 kids through college.

To me, our car seats five, it might be tight but we will fit. Travel is 1 or 2 weeks a year, not a reason to decide yes or no. We can swing daycare. My older boys can share a room. Whatever we can save for college we will and we'll take out loans, DH and I both had too and we payed them off already.

What is day to day like? Life with 2 is crazy and I have no time for myself until the kids are in bed, I figure not much is going to change by adding in one more.

Is one kid always left out? Do you have enough of you to spread around? Do you feel outnumbered? Are there places that are hard to go with five?

Re: Moms of 3..what is life like as a family of 5?

I have 3. 4 year old and 3 year old identical twins.

Here is my take....

Only now can I go out alone with all 3. Although i have a big house, the twins share a room. They all play together. I don't think they would notice if I left the house. All are in bed by 8:00 then the night is mine.

Daycare us expensive but that too shall pass.

Yes me and my husband are out numbered but in a good way. And yes, there is enough love to go around. Do i wish I had more time for myself? Yes of course. However, I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Re: Moms of 3..what is life like as a family of 5?

i have 3 (#4 in tow), and i love 3. My boys are close in age and my DD is older, but they get along for the most part.
There is no time for myself, but there hasnt been and having 2,3, or 4 kids doesnt change that.
When DH and I are home at the same time, we do things together as a family. There isnt much time for 1 on 1 with the kids, but it comes with the territory.

Re: Moms of 3..what is life like as a family of 5?

We went for 3 and it was exactly what DH and I always wanted. The best gift we could give our kids is the gift of having a sibling. We both came from families of 4 kids. We knew 4 would be a bit much for us this day in age, but 3 was perfect for us.

If 2 kids take up 100% of your time, 3 kids can't take up more!

Re: Moms of 3..what is life like as a family of 5?

I have 3 - an almost 3 year old and twin 11 month olds

i always planned on 2 but i love having 3 - yes most things are based on four but kids can sleep on floors. i grew as one of three -i think it is good to share rooms. i may even set one room as a play room and one as a sleeping/quiet room

I have no problem getting out with all of mine -we go to the pool, the suprermarket. - double cart and one in carrier - sometimes you just have to think out f box - like having my older son ride onthe top of the double snap and go becuase he is too tired to walk and i am too tired to carry him

Re: Moms of 3..what is life like as a family of 5?

I have 3... And the 3rd was much later than the first 2 and I wouldn't have it any other way. I was nervous about the age gap, but things have worked out wonderfully. I have a 4 month old and my older two just turned 6 and 8 years old.

I am staying at home now, although I may do my part time job here and there. But we don't need child care, so that helps. The older two are either in school or their summer recreation camp, so I have a lot of time alone with just the baby. And since the older two are "older", I don't find myself too frantic when trying to get us all out the door at once.

We are a little nervous about having all 3 in school in a few years (we send them to a school where we pay tuition), but that's a sacrifice we agreed to make, especially since I was able to stay home and not have the daycare expense. Both older ones do their activities, so my poor little one is always on the go. But he's a good baby.

We already had the 7 passenger car, so that wasn't a concern. We do have a 4 bedroom house too, but with the layout, we decided to keep that 4th bedroom a play room downstairs and the kids share a room and my oldest has his own room. It just works.

Re: Moms of 3..what is life like as a family of 5?

Thanks everyone for chiming in! I really do think we can handle it and that I'll regret not going for number 3. But I must admit I'm a little scared of the chaos! It helps to read so many positive stories.

Re: Moms of 3..what is life like as a family of 5?

Moms of 3..what is life like as a family of 5?

I have 19 month old twins and am expecting # 3 on 8/9. I got the same comments and remarks from some people when we said we were thinking about #3. People told us we were crazy for even thinking about it. People now tell me i;m crazy and ask if i am looking for trouble (mostly strangers). But we didn't let any of those comments prior to getting pregnant play a factor in our decision. This pregnancy was sort of unexpected at the time it happened. We were going to wait a few more months before trying but it didn't work out that way. I was/am excited and freaked out. But i know we'll make it work. So it'll be hectic for a little bit. It's already hectic with the twins, what's a little more chaos :) I wouldn't let anyone else play a factor in making your decision. If you want a third, go for it :)

Re: Moms of 3..what is life like as a family of 5?

Just wanted to say thank you for this post. I'm pregnant with #3 right now and I love hearing the positive stories!

Re: Moms of 3..what is life like as a family of 5?

I can't imagine not having my youngest-and not just because I love her. I just really think she completes our family.

Yes, things aremore hectic, DH and I are out numbered, someone is always crying (and sometimes it's me). But, you get used to all of that and it really is wonderful.

I have an almost 5 year old, a 2.5 year old and an 8 month old. I can go out with all 3 by myself, I am often home alone with all of them by myself because DH travels for business sometimes.

Everything seems overwhelming until you do. Or, until you do something harder and then you laugh at what you once thought was hard.

I used to think money/time/space/insert whatever was tight until I had a kid. And then I had another kid. And then I had another Now, I think ah but if I had a 4th then it would be harder so I convince myself I have it easy!

Regardless-it's all worth it.

Moms of 3..what is life like as a family of 5?

I'm not up to three but.... I think its how you and dh both look at it....

my sister had two kids, bil wanted a 3rd(and more)... she seriously was going to go along with having a third cause that was popular in town...not the right reason...

We know a family with three kids who are all teens now, and they love it.. I think if you are prepared to spend more of your time shuffling them to sports and social events, prepared to share the bathroom more :) and spend more time getting ready to get out the door - if you look at it as a blessing instead of a burden then your ready.