Moms of THREE or more children close in age

vwilliams
on 7/19/10 3:04 am

If you currently have three children close in age (even if they are now older and not babies)

How did the older ones take it at first? Any advice from your experience?

For the SAHM do you feel like your children do not get enough interaction with others? Do you attend play groups? How does your daily routine play out? How do you manage them in public? Whats your discipline style?

Thanks Ladies!!

suzytil
on 7/19/10 7:59 am - Livonia, MI

VSG on 01/24/11

Are you thinking of adding another? :)

Allie
on 7/19/10 8:17 pm

Our kiddos, who will soon be known as the middle three, are 7,6 & 4. I don't know hw they will react to the baby, yet, but will know Monday. I know they are excited as all get out, talk to my belly, rub my belly, like to feel the baby move, kiss their sister and tell her how much they love her. They all have "jobs" assigned to themselves already.....they've claimed them! lol One is like, I want to dress her and the other one will say I will teach her how to play trains and the other just wants to hold her. It's pretty sweet! Now, what it will be like when she gets here is a different story, but the 7 & 6 year olds reacted really well when their 4 year brother came so I'm not anticipating any problems. The key is to have a REALLY great husband that you can trade off time with each child. They need to still be able to feel like they can undivided attention with each parent, or there WILL be jealousy issues. Heck, there might be jealousy issues regardless of how much one on one time a child gets. Just depends on the kid. But with our kids, they know they're loved, they have each other if Mommy and Daddy get busy and we've taught them from an early age to be independent. That really helps. If you don't make a child feel as if they have to cling on you like Saran Wrap and empower them with independence, it makes their life easier as well as your own. I mean, don't get me wrong, holding them ALL DAY LONG is mighty nice sometimes, but it does them AND you absolutely no good in the long run.

And since I do stay home with the kids, as does my hubby, it's a great environment for them being able to have both parents there. Plus, with them all being close, they have their own built in playgroup. They learn how to get along and share and they've all had very positive experiences playing with other kids and they definitely don't have any problems making new friends. The middle 3 will all be going to school at the same time starting in August, so the little one won't feel so left out during the day like he did for the past few years when his older brother and sister would go to school all day and he'd be here with us by himself.

We're pretty laid back paretns, but we do expect obedience and adherence to the rules or else our house wold be a chaotic mess. Consistency is the key. If you're not consistent then your kids will be confused and not ever "get" the mssage that you're trying to send with the rules. Spanking is left for severe consequences and time out is used at all other times. They are also expected to take responsibility for their actions and Mommy and Daddy are NOT here to clean up their "mess". If they hurt each other, they must apologize. They make a mess, they clean it up (if it's within their ability). If they break something, they replace it...etc. They also have responsibility around the house. With this many people in our family, they HAVE to hel*****thing would ever get accomplished. Plus, they like the feeling of helping out and contributing. They love the praise.

Ok, I wrote a novel. But hopefully that helps. I'll let ya know how they react when their little sister comes, but knowing them like I do, they will adapt just fine.

                                       Allie
      Mom to 5 cuties!! Ages 15, 7, 6, 4 & a 3 month old sweety!
                       -250 Pounds since GBS!

Liz R.
on 7/19/10 10:09 pm - Easton, PA

RNY on 01/30/07

hummmm Vannah and Ny want a little brother????

vwilliams
on 7/19/10 10:53 pm

RNY on 09/09/04

Liz

I am hoping so!!

Liz R.
on 7/19/10 10:59 pm - Easton, PA

RNY on 01/30/07

YAY! Good luck TTC!

Jen Jen J.
on 7/21/10 3:05 am - Houston, TX

RNY on 01/16/06

If you currently have three children close in age (even if they are now older and not babies) My oldest is 6.5 and my youngest is 19 months. Number 6 is being knit as I type.  When he is born, I will have 6 children 6 years and under.

How did the older ones take it at first? Any advice from your experience? They all love and anticipate the arrival of new babies. I believe children act what they see and hear. If you are excited about the new baby, they will be too.

For the SAHM do you feel like your children do not get enough interaction with others?   Yes, there are currently 8 memers of our family, soon to be 9.

Do you attend play groups? No, but we do have several set of friends we interact with regularly.

How does your daily routine play out?    do you mean what is our schedule? We have a flow chart that we follow loosely ... breakfast, grooming, chores, school, play, lunch, naps, school, play, chores. daddy home, dinner, chores, time with dad, rooming and bed. It is a little more detailed than that, but each family's routine would look different.

How do you manage them in public? Carts, stollers, slings, wraps and baby carriers.

Whats your discipline style? Biblical.

God Bless! Jen
Mark 9:37a "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me."

vwilliams
on 7/21/10 4:14 am

RNY on 09/09/04

Thank you for your response. Congrats on all 6 blessings! Your my Hero :)

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Moms of THREE or more children close in age