Having a big family in 2018 brings odd comments from strangers, stares, etc. etc. When you see another mother with three or more children in tow, you can nod in solidarity because you know that you both are sharing similar experiences behind closed doors. When you have baby number three, even though you are an expert by this point, there are a few things that you may not realize or that no one will tell you. Here are the top four on our list that may help you avoid saying, “I didn’t see that one coming.”
1. You are actually starting over…again. You are a pro at this point, two children down but…we hate to tell you, you are actually starting all over again. The cycle of around the clock feedings, changing diapers, etc. etc. has become your new reality. You are going to have to potty train again. Knowing this ahead of time will knock the disbelief out of the park when reality sets in.
2. The transition will be less intense. When your first two arrived, the transition to parenthood was somewhat of a culture shock. Well, the third time around, it actually won’t be so bad. You are already used to the juggling act and there is no learning curve. It is going to be crazy but you have reinforcements to help with the madness.
3. You will feel less guilt. Remember feeling all sorts of guilt in regards to your first child when the second was born? Well, this time around, you will feel less guilty because siblings one and two will have each other. While you are taking care of the new addition, the older children will have a built-in playmate to entertain and play with leaving you free to concentrate on recovering from childbirth and getting into the swing of having a newborn in the house.
4. Things will be different with you mate. With the new addition to the family, it will be all-hands-on-deck, and that includes your partner. If you think that you had less time before to do couple things, you will have even more less time now. After baby number three, it will be more important than ever to make plans with your significant other where it is just the two of you.
