People ask me all the time how things are with three children. My most common response is that the transition is a lot easier with the third one. When I said that to one mother of two she looked at me like she thought I was insane!
When I say the transition is easier I don’t mean that there’s less work or that life is easier because as with anything it definately has it’s challenges and three is more work.
I’m not really sure what’s easier about the transition, I think a combination of things. First of all, I’ve realized that sometimes one (maybe two) children are just going to have to cry if I’m busy dealing with one of the other ones. With my first one I had a really hard time just letting him cry – I always had to try and sooth and comfort him. I’m not saying that it doesn’t bother me when one of the kids is crying and I’m busy with one of the other ones and can’t get to the one who is crying right away – it does but I know I am only one person and I am definately not superwoman! Like tonight for example – I needed to get supper started – the two older kids were hungry, it was already after six and the youngest was wanting to be held – every time I put her down she started crying and screaming. Not only is it dangerous to cook while holding her but I don’t have enough arms to do it. So the youngest just had to cry until I could pick her up again.
The other reason it’s an easier transition is that the oldest is a year and a half older and a little more independent and not demanding as much of my attention. The transition has also been easier on the older two – I don’t think the oldest remembers what life was like as an only child and the second one has always had a sibling so having another one is really not that big of a deal.
So yes it is more work but it’s easier to deal with – if that makes any sense at all.
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