Spin-off....If you have 3 kids and they are all close in age, tell me about it...

[scrooks]

DD and DS are 26 months apart and while rocky at first has been almost manageable. :rotflmao: We would like to have a third and we really don't want to wait for several reasons. One of them being age of DH- and me to some degree. Another is a potential move in the next 1-2 years- I love my OB and can't imagine anyone else delivering my 3rd DC. Finally- we are in "baby" mode now, diapers etc all the norm-after this DC I would be really ready to move on and out of this stage- KWIM.

In a perfect world, where you can space your kids -I know you can try but that may not always happen, they would be between 22-26 months apart. DD would hopefully have turned 4 and DS would be on the verge of turning 2 (or be 2 depending on how long it may take- and of course if we are lucky enough to conceive again!).

In reading the other thread about 2 close and the 3rd later has me thinking- does anyone have any experience with 3 close together?

[o_mom]

My three are 3.5 yrs apart. There are positives and negatives no matter how you space things. We had age and IF issues that made us not want to wait and chance not being able to have a third, but also wanted to get through the baby stage quicker. I won't lie, there are times I think we were nuts, but I'm just starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel with DS3 out of diapers and I'll have two in school full-time next year.

[mamicka]

Ours are 22, 27, & exactly 3 years apart. Having the 3rd was an easy transition for us. I think our spacing is really nice.

[maestramommy]

20 months between the first two, 25 months between the 2nd two. Our spacing was mostly a function of our ages (I'm almost 42, Dh is almost 44). I remember my chiro (who had 3 close together) telling me, "it's like yanking off a bandaid in the beginning, but after a couple of years it's great." Well for us it was like pulling duct tape off a hairy arm the first year. Slowly. Our first two were relatively easy, compared to what I've read about and seen. In fact, our second was so easy I was lulled into thinking it was going to be pretty much the same. But #3 was the hardest of them all, and for the first time I actually GOT how hard babies could be. And I'm seeing how hard it can me now that she's a toddler. I think if she had been first I would've handled it better because I would've only had to focus on her, but with a toddler and a preschooler hitting the f'ing fours I wanted to throw myself in front of a bus. AT THE SAME TIME, #3 gave me so much joy, and still does. And it did get much easier as she started moving around. I think she was a difficult baby because she didn't like being a baby. And now she doesn't like being the littlest. These days my difficulties are of a different nature, trying to referee between all 3 while getting housework done. It's nuts. But not like those first months where I was doing the same AND trying to nurse AND changing bfing cloth diapers, AND get the infant to take naps, and, and...They're all on the same routine, which is a big factor in making everyone's lives feel sane.

[LarsMal]

My first two are 16 months apart, second two are 28 months apart, so all three in just over 3.5 years. Both of my girls were surprises, but we always knew we wanted three so it was fine. We never really got out of the baby stage, didn't have to replace any of our baby gear, so it all worked out. At one point I had all three in diapers (when DS was still wearing diapers to bed). We're down to only one in diapers now and it's wonderful!

It's definitely crazy around here!! I can't tell you how many times I hear, "Wow, you've got your hands full!" when I'm out and about. I just smile and nod and keep on going. I've had some people ask me how I do it and I tell them I don't really have a choice, I just do it!

The best part about having all three so close together is that they really do play well together. Sure, they have their moments- and plenty of them- but when they are playing nicely and getting along it's great. C wants in on the action so badly now and L is so good with her. It would have been nice to have an older child to help out with a baby, but I love that they will all be in school close together and have each other to play with.

[scrooks]

The best part about having all three so close together is that they really do play well together. Sure, they have their moments- and plenty of them- but when they are playing nicely and getting along it's great.

This is the aspect I love the most. My 2 are really just starting to interact and I see how much they love each other. I just want them to have 1 more person to love.

My big fear is the AWFUL baby. Both my kids have had there individual challenges but basically have been pretty good babies/kids. My coworker is constantly telling me about how his DS3 has been more of a challenging kid than his DS1 and DS2 combined! Scary!