Someone once told me that going from 1 kid to 2 kids, is usually a pretty difficult transition, but that adding anymore kids after that is no biggie. I’m here to tell you that they were WRONG! So incredibly WRONG! Going from 1 kid to 2, was definitely different, but compared to this 3-kidded boat I’m in now- it was a cake walk!
- You’re going to need caffeine. Lots and lots of caffeine. You’re going to need hot coffee, iced coffee, 35 4-hour energy shots and 3 espressos to last until your kids’ bedtime.
- Accept help.
- Ask for help.
- Remind yourself that this is just a phase.
- It’ll get worse before it gets better.
- Then it’ll get worse again.
- Stock up on wine, toilet paper, baby wipes and Excedrin.
- Make as many freezer meals as possible.
- Don’t make any plans for at least 3 months.
- Schedule therapy.
- Get the biggest vehicle that will fit in your garage, preferably with sliding doors.
- Read up on postpartum depression. Be aware of it. Talk to your partner about it so he/she will be prepared, too.
- Find friends with 2+ kids. Only they will understand the madness that ensues with multiple children.
- Get a practical baby carrier. Not one of those 45 foot long pieces of fabric that take 20 minutes, 4 YouTube videos and an extra set of hands to put on. You need to be able to drop and buckle that baby in, in 1 minute flat.
- Be prepared for your older children to call your bluff. Then, don’t bluff again. Follow through. They will get into your head if you let them.
- Get rid of the diaper genie. When you’ve got 2 in diapers, you don’t have to change that thing every 5 minutes. Dirty diapers now go in the kitchen trash can.
- Purge the toys, especially the awful loud ones that will wake the baby up.
- Get as organized as possible. Everything needs a place, so that you can clean up faster. Efficiency is crucial at this stage.
- Find a mom’s group and/or schedule some mom’s night outs! You’re going to need them!
- Do what you gotta do! Don’t be ashamed to ask for help; get your groceries delivered; order everything off Amazon; rarely leave the house; get medicated; formula feed; swap out cleaning time, for vegging-on-the-couch-while-eating-ice-cream time. This is not a one-size-fits-all gig. Besides, your kids don’t care what Crunchy Cathy down the street thinks about your parenting style anyway 😉
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