Why Three “3 and Under” Sucks and Why it’s Awesome

I am long past the 3 age 3 and under stage, but the induction ikidsnto that parenting season was nothing short of a feat of Olympic proportions. Juggling three kids in car seats, wrangling two toddlers while wearing a baby (or worse, carrying the baby in the infant seat, managing three very young children with distinct needs: potty training, diapering, and newborning (yes, it’s a word….that I just made up); all these things and the logistics of, well, everything had me on a learning curve I was not prepared for. Many days, I didn’t know if we would ever get our heads above water. It was not all bad though. By the time my youngest was born, I was a million times more relaxed about everything than I had been with my previous two.

Having three kids so close together sucks. And it’s awesome. Here’s why.

It sucks because 3 small kids + 2 hands + parking lots = the things nightmares are made of.

It sucks because it is nearly impossible to get out of the house on time, or even close to on time.

It sucks because they have built in sparring partners. It’s all fun and games until someone busts open their lip and needs stitches (true story).

It sucks because on any given day, one of them is having a “bad” day.

It sucks because babysitter fees somehow triple from the second to the third child.

BUT, having three ages three and under is kind of awesome, too.

It’s awesome because you never get out of the baby stage, so you just move right along. There is no “going back” to diapers because you never grew out of that stage.

It’s awesome because they have built in playmates.

It’s awesome because you don’t sweat the small stuff. Not even a little.

It’s awesome because everything becomes streamlined, and you realize you don’t need 75% of the crap you “had to have” for your first born. (I’m looking at you, wipe warmer)

It’s awesome because on any given day, one of them is having a great and super loving day.

It’s awesome because it is YOUR family, and that outweighs any of the hardships three kids may bring.

Myndee
Myndee is a 35ish year old New Orleans area native. She's an author, speaker and self-love advocate. As an introverted extrovert, Myndee loves being part of the generation where most of her friends live in her computer. She and her husband, Luis, live just outside the city with their three kids.

10 COMMENTS

  1. I am in the midst of 3 under 3 now – oldest will be 4 in March and it is definitely not easy, but it is AWESOME! I love my little family! It’s amazing how you can just get in a groove and go with it with the three of them…more relaxed, more love, more everything! A few additions to the lists:

    I hardship is definitely less QT with my husband, but the upside of that is the QT we do get is so valuable to us that it has so much more meaning and we appreciate it so much more!

    It’s awesome because everyday is a new milestone for someone AND it’s great watching the little big ones celebrate each others accomplishments. I have to feel that is going to pay-off big-time as they grow up 🙂

  2. Love it! My day will be arriving soon! My son turns 3 year olds on Sunday, 1 year old in March, and a newbie in September! Can’t wait for the fun to continue!!!

  3. I have to say…. the wipes warmer wasn’t so “optional” for a newborn in the Minnesota winter! 🙂 (But PLENTY of other things sure were!) Cheers to a busy and fulfilling mama life. Great post!

    • Hilarious, Rebecca! I can see wipe warmers being a true necessity up there! Here, not so much. I wanted to use it more, but once I had two in diapers, remembering to keep up with it just went out the window…along with my sanity. 😉

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