re: Going from 2 kids to 3 kids…Who here has made the jump?

I have a 4 year old and 17 month old. Their birthdays are 1 day apart. Both girls. We are shooting for a 3rd. We have been puting money back since birth for both into accounts my MIL setup (financial aid purposes). I am ready for number 3. But this will be our last. My wife wants another girl, I don't care. After learning the ropes with #1, I have had no worries with the 2nd.

you can handle it MJC. 2nd one isn't that big a deal. I have one of each now. my son, the youngest was a twin and we lost his brother 7 months into the pregnancy…very very difficult…part of us feels like our family isn't complete without one more.

Oh damn. My wife is 3 months pregnant with our 2nd. Hope it is a boy but Im good either way. This will be our last



ETA: meant to respond to Ryno

If your marriage is rocky then as you know kids add more stress. Regardless of the number of kids I could not have stayed married. My ex's personal problems could not have been eliminated by less children.

It's not difficult. I have 6 kids.

Just learn that you don't have to spoil your children to give tge a good and happy life. Hand-me-downs are not going to cause trauma. Also, your kids don't need 20 toys each on Christmas.

Be sure to take time out of your day to really talk to each of your children. Listen to them, and give them advice or just tell them you understand.

During the day, also make sure you take each of your kids aside and hug them tightly and tell them you love them. Look them in the eyes. It seems silly, but it means the world to them, and lets them know that you may get mad at them at times, but still love them.

That brings me to another point. If punishing a child, whether from spanking or giving them a talking to: always remind them you love them. A young child especially needs to know the punishment is seperate from the love you have for them.

My wife and I take our kids on vacations, roadtrips, day-trips, etc. However, we also take our kids out on father/sons days, mother/sons, mother/daughters, and father/daughter days. It's a good time to teach lessons, and also let them know that you don't prefer anyone over the other.

One tip is to never bring your kids to the grocery store, but if you do, make it clear that they don't get to choose what groceries you buy.

Be a loving parent. And a loving parent teaches boundaries, and doesn't give a child a choice in everything. Tough love is still love.

P.S. don't give your children iPads or phones. It makes them dependent on them, and less able to think for themselves or entertain themselves.

Edit for pressing wrong number.

Wtf is a proxy patent.. We take care of the babies.. The older kids now have chores.. That's what I meant.. They do stuff around the house to help alleviate the stress off of my wife.. Kids are 9,8,6,3 and 1..Even the 3 year old "helps" around the house..

I have three and it wasn't that bad. We have a three bedroom house so the two boys share a room and the girl gets the other one. Isn't a problem now but when they are teenagers it may be a different story. Having multiple kids helps out in that they keep each other occupied. The biggest downside going from 2 to 3 is finding someone willing to watch all three. Mine are 6, 4 and 2. Probably want a vasectomy after number three as i can't imagine anyone having 4+

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Just learn that you don't have to spoil your children to give tge a good and happy life. Hand-me-downs are not going to cause trauma. Also, your kids don't need 20 toys each on Christmas.

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This is the hardest thing to make my family understand since most of them only have one child. The family always wants to go overboard with birthdays and christmas and if they had their way i would need a warehouse just for the toys. Kids are really happy with whatever they have and spending tons of $$$ on toys and clothes doesn't make them any happier.

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Ryno is a rich

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I wish. I wouldn't be worried about another kid if I was a "rich"

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I want advice from anyone who has successfully made the jump from 2 kids to 3 kids. by successful I mean I don't want to hear from divorced people please. thanks.

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I went from 2 to 4. And, in April, I'm going from 4 to 5.

I've been outnumbered for a while. However, my oldest is 14 (stepson). #2 is a 5 year old girl, and the twins are going to be 3 in May.

You don't need a Minivan from 2 to 3. A small SUV will work fine. I love our Minivan. Lots of space. If your wife (and you) are fine with the Minivan, I think you'll like it.

As for being outnumbered, that's not a big deal. You'll learn real quick how to handle it. If your 1st or 2nd needs something, it can wait for you to deal with 3rd. Just remember, kids whine, babies cry. Its not a cause for panic (obviously, an emergency is a different story). But, I guarantee, your worries will go away after a month or so. You'll get the hang of it just in time.