It was never my intention to have my children so close together, but life has a funny way of unfolding. After welcoming my first child, I was bombarded with questions about when I would have another. I would respond with a polite, “When he starts school” (which was my original plan) while secretly fuming about why people feel entitled to ask such personal questions. Just when you think you’ve conquered diaper changes, folks are nudging you toward baby number two.
Fast forward, and I became quite the baby factory. Having three kids in just three years certainly gives off an impression that I’m all about procreation. People often look at me, wide-eyed, and ask if I’ve lost my mind (the same people who were eager for me to get started on that second child). During my pregnancies, I enjoyed quipping back with, “Nope, not crazy! My partner and I are just really into each other,” but once the kids were here, I often just yelled, “Yes! We’re totally crazy!”
Through this whirlwind, I’ve discovered both beauty and chaos in having children with small age gaps. Here’s a glimpse into the good, the bad, and the moments that make you question your sanity:
1. Pregnancy Feels Endless
Your first pregnancy clothes are still relevant when the next one rolls around. Instead of congratulations, people just stare at your belly and say, “Really? Again?” To outsiders, it’s like one long pregnancy.
2. You and Your Doctor Become Close Friends
By the time I was at my third prenatal appointment, my doctor joked, “Sorry, you’ve hit your limit.” Thankfully, she remembered my preferences, like avoiding weight checks in the third trimester and skipping certain tests.
3. Your Body Knows the Drill
Your body quickly adapts to pregnancy once again. By my third, I was just seven weeks along when people were already asking about my due date. I had to pull out my maternity jeans right after taking the test—no time to adjust!
4. Naptime is a Synchronised Event
Most days, I could get all three kids to nap simultaneously. I’d feed them lunch and put them down, creating a Groundhog Day scenario that had me mastering the assembly line approach to parenting.
5. They All Believe in the Same Magic
Santa, the Tooth Fairy, and the Easter Bunny? They all share these beliefs, and you don’t have to worry about the older one ruining the magic for the younger siblings. Just remember to move that elf every night!
6. Diaper Duty Multiplied
When my youngest arrived, my oldest was still in nighttime diapers. The silver lining? You can tackle potty training with two at once, but the chaos of multiple kids in diapers is no walk in the park.
7. They Grow Through Stages Together
Whether it’s good or bad, they often hit milestones at the same time or right after each other. It can boost your confidence or leave you scarred from past experiences, like the toddler thinking he can handle wiping himself.
8. No More Naptime Conflicts
By the time they’re ready for events outside of nap time, guess what? They’ve all stopped napping. This is fantastic—no waking sleeping babies for a school play. However, being awake all day can be exhausting.
9. You Have an Instant Excuse
“Sorry, I can’t. I have three little ones.” This phrase feels like pure gold. It’s a relief not to fabricate excuses for declining invitations you’d rather avoid.
10. Mastering Multitasking
No one can multitask like a mom. I often found myself feeding one child while entertaining another and retrieving a pacifier for the baby. Urgency becomes second nature, as everything piles up quickly.
11. Getting Out is a Hassle
The thought of strapping in three kids, navigating parking lots, and enduring public outings can feel overwhelming. Sometimes, staying home and tackling laundry (ugh, laundry) seems like a better option.
12. Perfectionism Takes a Backseat
With multiple kids, striving for perfection is a lost cause. Who has time to read parenting books? Survival is the name of the game.
13. One Cry Leads to a Symphony
When one kid cries, they all join in. It’s a cacophony that sends you reaching for noise-cancelling headphones and a glass of wine. Sibling rivalry kicks in early with competitive crying.
14. Outgrowing Children’s Menus Together
They all outgrow the children’s menu, clothing sizes, and shoes at the same time. Suddenly, shopping becomes a budget nightmare, and I’m the one left crying.
15. Same Toys, Same Interests
They often share similar interests, which can be blissful. But for the sake of sanity, sometimes it’s easier to buy them each their own toys. Just remember to label everything with a Sharpie to avoid epic mix-ups.
Regardless of how you stagger the years between your kids, there are always upsides and downsides. Yes, having three kids close in age has left me feeling like a frazzled mom in need of a personal escape—maybe a corner to rock in while indulging in frosting straight from the jar. But looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. If given the chance to do it all over again, I would, in the same fast-paced way. I adore that they share so many experiences, and I often marvel at how people mistake my two youngest for twins. More than anything, I see them every day and think, “If I can handle this, I can handle anything.”
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Summary
Having kids close together brings both unique challenges and joys. From navigating simultaneous pregnancies to mastering the art of multitasking, this parenting journey is nothing short of chaotic yet rewarding. Embracing the beauty in the madness allows parents to foster close sibling relationships while also testing their limits.
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