3+ moms and/or MOOKS

[biblionerd]

I know we have some on here with 3. How close are they? I'm so confused... Not that I expect anyone to tell me what to do with my uterus lol. We know (knew?) we wanted 3 and wanted them close so we were going to start TTC around May or June. We're finally at the point that we're starting to actually enjoy going out with both kids now. We're a good 45-50 minutes from most stuff so it's still hard, but fun. Like, going to the zoo this past weekend was a blast and we're going to the children's museum next weekend and it's not terrifying. But I have NO idea how we'd do this with 3!! At what age did your kids get to the point where you could trust them to not to just run away like maniacs? I have no idea how you do anything with 3 until they get to that point. I looked down for seconds to put something in the stroller and looked up and Linus was GONE. Luckily it was a big open area and I saw him running as fast as his little legs would take him (laughing like a psycho might I add). There aren't enough hands to corral 3 little kids and a stroller. Maybe I need to stroll back to the Bump's 3u3 board.

I just don't know if I would be ruining what we've finally started to get the hang of or if you just adapt again. I guess one of my questions is how much more independent is a 3 yr old? Right now I can't even take them to a park by myself because I can't trust Linus not to run away and Fiona definitely isn't keeping up with him. So I'm trying to run after him with a 20lb baby in my arms, hoping nobody is stealing my stroller, bag, and stuff while I'm running like a crazy person. I just feel so confused all of a sudden that I just physically couldn't do it and I'd be putting the older kids at a disadvantage. Help!!

[tuck]

Don't have three, but I will say that Holden started to be trustworthy enough at some point when she was three. I know I wasn't chasing after her while I was pregnant, at least, so she must have been three and a half.

I think I'd get really comfortable really fast with babywearing if I were going to have three. Mamas only have two hands, and being able to strap a kid to your back while you tend to another one is really helpful.

[devonpow]

Unfortunately it depends on the kid. H was very trustworthy and a very good rule follower definitely by 3 - he was never a runner or mischief maker, though, even as a toddler. I have friends with 3 and 4 year olds who are still a major handful while out ( and I have a feeling E will be more like this), so it depends. The good news is that if you wear the baby you can so much more easily run after the older kids!

[rainbowchip]

Dylan is a wild kid and I am just getting to the point that I am comfortable with him listening enough to me that I don't have to be in physical contact with him at all times in a public place. I do remind him a lot how dangerous the parking lot is and that he needs to stay by me though.

[katfco]

Llike tuck , it wasn't until DD was a little over 3 that she started to be more trustworthy. She still has trouble listening sometimes, but I dont' feel like I have to hold her hand constantly.

I freely admit, we used a backpack "leash" when DD was young. She hated holding hands and wanted to be independent, so the "leash" served to give her a sense of independence and taught her boundaries without a fight.

[irishsara]

I think it depends on the child too. DS 1 was never a runner. But DS 2 was. We worked from when he was able to start walking by himself on saying with us. He always wanted to get down and we gave him a choice. he can either be held or hold our hand. He always chose hold our hand and if he tried to yank it away, we picked him up and wouldn't let him walk. It took a looooong time for him to realize that if he ran away he would be held, and he did not want that. How, when we go out knows he has to stay with us or ride in the stroller. And he knows we're serious. He's 3 now, and he walked away once and I took the baby out of the stroller, stuck him in the sling, and put Jack (ds2) in the stroller. He HATED it. So, he's been a work in progress. But yes, baby wearing has been a saving grace. We also have a sit and stand which allows him to ride easily, but also get down and look at something if he wants to.

[laurack]

OMG I am having a total panic attack thinking about having three young children in public, alone. Hell even two children in public alone. When I have the second we'll just stay home always.

[irishsara]

Apr 3, 2013 8:19:23 GMT -5 laurack said:

OMG I am having a total panic attack thinking about having three young children in public, alone. Hell even two children in public alone. When I have the second we'll just stay home always.

And for sure lose your mind!!!

[chasbride07]

When DD was born, DS1 was 4 and DS2 was 2 1/2. It was a little challenging, but not too bad because DS1 was pretty trustworthy and DS2 would just be in the stroller or grocery cart. We have switched DD into a convertible carseat so the first week or so of that was a bit more challenging, but in general both boys listen pretty well now with DS1 at 5 and DS2 at 3 1/2. Unless they are in a mood. Then they seem to tag team who is going to be difficult - but they still don't run off.

[joyhart02]

Apr 3, 2013 8:19:23 GMT -5 laurack said:

OMG I am having a total panic attack thinking about having three young children in public, alone. Hell even two children in public alone. When I have the second we'll just stay home always.

We are just getting to the point now of going out and feeling more comfortable. We usually do not leave the house with two kids on weekends, but we are working on it. 

I think I have only taken both girls out by myself once. 

[katfco]

When I was 5, my sister was 7 and my brother was 2, my mom would watch some of the neighbor kids and even took us all out when she went shopping sometimes. She would have 7 of us kids, all under the age of 7 with her. I have no idea how she did it but she's proof it really is possible.