Can I Care for 3 Infants?

[texaslady22]

I currently have a 3yo little boy and I'm expecting another boy in February!! We think children are a gift from God and we're thrilled that He has chosen to bless us!

We recently learned that my sister is pregnant and due three months after I am....with TWINS!! She already has a severely handicap 11 year old and she's a single mother, so she's going to need all the help she can get!

We're praying about moving closer so that we could watch her children, too. My mom would be there to help and my husband only works 3-4 days/week so he would be home some, too. It would be 4 children under 4 in the house--our 3 year old and 3 infants (my niece would be in school most of the day).

Could we do it? Any advice?? How crazy would this be? ADVICE!!!

UPDATE - A Sonogram revealed THREE sacs, but none of them have heartbeats yet. The doctor says it's too soon, but that triplet pregnancies are dangerous. Now we're talking 4 infants, and we're praying that God finishes what He started and fills every sac with a baby and a heartbeat before next Tuesday's sonogram. Please join us in prayer!!

[Sthrnmissgal]

Well, I have no advice. I just wanted to say that if you pray about it and you feel like it is something that you can handle then go for it. By no means do I think it will be easy, but God Bless you for even considering it! I think you are a great person for this and wish you the best of luck in whatever you choose.

[twinmommyboyz]

I will pray for you...because with god anything is possible. Best of Luck, we think 3 under 3 is alot of fun. The only real hard part is when everyone is sick. But it looks like you'll have a lot of help. You can't imagine how much a person can handle, for some reason he always provides.

We wish you the best of luck.

[bonniebabies]

One of my concerns would be how to handle their feedings. If you are nursing yours then maybe you could do the football hold and have an arm/hand free to bottle feed a twin? Maybe check moms of multiples websites to see how they handle daily tasks? Also would wonder how you could take them outdoors for your 3 yr old to play. Maybe you could use your sisters double stroller, wear your baby in a carrier and let your 3 yr old walk.

[cori n wes mom]

A ratio normally is 3-4 babies per adult...so it can be done...but i would take into account too that twins are often preemies...and you never quite know the situation you may have.

I think if your getting help every day (as in another warm body to hold and feed babies) at least part of the day you'll survive.

[loveebella]

If this is something you and your husband are on the same page about then by all means do it. No matter what obstacle comes your way you will figure it out. Right now it is all about Will I be able to handle it? What if ? How about this? But if you guys decide you want to move over there to help out everything will work out. Your thoughts wont be on what if, because you know that all the things you think can go wrong probably will...LOL but you thoughts will turn to how am I going to handle this when it happens. I think you guys will have a blast! Remember where there is a will there is a way:)
I am in no way saying this will be easy, I actually commend you for even thinking about doing this.I have 2 boys under 5 and when people ask me to baby sit for them on a regular basis, I have to say no.I cannot handle kids and there is no way I would be able to handle 3 infants at one time. So bust out your cargo boots and hard hat and let the games begin!

[NJOYURLIFE]

I think it is definately doable and a great idea. Four adults should be able to handle this number of children. My concern would be everyone's parenting styles and how everyone gets along currently plus how each person usually reacts when stressed out. Because, no question about it, there will be stressfull times. I'd also be concerned on how the regular household tasks will be handled like cleaning and grocery shopping and cooking and laundry.

I used to envy one of my childrens classmates family. There were 3 households involved. The classmate's house, the classmates grandmothers house and the classmate's mom's very good friend who also happened to be a single mom. They lived within 5-6 houses of each other and would take turns with various chores. Like cooking, for example, each separate household would only have to cook once every 3 days, but when they did they had to make enough for all 3 households. The grandmother was sort of the catch all with things that involved the kids. She would go where she was needed. Of course, who really knows what goes on behind closed doors, but they all seemed really close and it really seems to work for them.

Whatever you decide, good luck!

[texaslady22]

Thank you all for the support!!

I think I'd put my three year old in preschool (like he is now) at least 2 or 3 days a week, and my husband could drop him off and pick him up. He'd need some social interaction outside the house and I might not be able to swing it for awhile!!

My hubby works nights, so he'd be HOME everyday. He'd be sleeping 50% of the days and off the other 50% of the days, so he'd be an enormous help. He is fabulous with children and often volunteers in the nursery at our church so he knows what he's doing

My mom is willing to help, too, and she could come whenever needed. She's a huge help with laundry and cleaning and she's already said she'll do whatever she can do to support us.

The house we're thinking of buying has 6,000 square feet and is absolutely gigantic. There would be plenty of room for a large nursery and all the baby stuff we could want. What devices could we buy to make this easier? I don't want to get carried away, but we would have room for a playroom. Do you have any recommendations of "stuff" that would entertain babies?

My hubby already said we could do motion-sensor lights so I wouldn't have to fumble with the switch (save on electricity), and a closed-circuit television system so I could see sleeping babies in another room.

God has really been working on our hearts and we want to do what we can. We'd have to leave our city and friends and church. Hubby would have a slightly longer commute. We'd have to go through the stress of moving while I'm pregnant. But the blessing of following God's path are bigger than all of this....and I'd love for these three cousins three months apart to get to spend time together!

[crystal12605]

I watched my twin nieces while pregnant with my first and my other sil was preg too. We delivered 3 weeks apart and I watched hers as well. 4 kids all under a year. The older twins were 9 months. Then I had two more in the next two years. 6 kids about 3 and younger. I didn't have any help as I was the one "helping." Its crazy but fun too. You sound as if you have lots of support (which i didn't.. Parents dumped there kids in the morning and ran they would not come back until 11 or 12 at night) It CAN BE DONE! Just enjoy it and take lots of pictures.

Advice: Don't go shopping alone, You wont ever actually do any shopping. people just don't leave you alone when you have more than one bundle of joy. Best of luck not that you will need it!

[mamawhit322]

Have at least one swing and at least one bouncy chair. That way if any one adult is "stuck" watching all of the babies at one time, then one can be in the swing, one in the chair and one being fed, burped, diapered, bathed, etc.

Start stockpiling diapers. NOW! Next week at Walgreens Huggies are on sale 2/$18 with a $4 RR... there are also $2 printable coupons. Making them 2/$10 (after the RR) go use the RR on wipes... you can never ever have enough diapers or wipes. If either of you will be using formula, I say stock pile that too. Even if it can't be used, you can probably craigslist it for more than what you paid (if you get it at a good sale price with check and coupon). $5 Enfamil coupons just came out. Combine those with checks for really good prices on formula.

Good luck! It sounds like you're going to be blessed!