[shoopdeboop]

How do you go back to babies???!!

I have ten year old twins and recently found out I am pregnant with no 3. Not a shock as we were trying, but I have so many mixed feelings over starting back at nappies and 24 hr supervision when I am at a stage with my children now that they virtually look after themselves.
How do you cope going back to the demands of a baby (hopefully just A baby this time..)?

I think it took me a long time to feel myself again, to feel sane and less like a zombie slave and now I am worried about feeling suffocated again when I have a good amount of space and time to myself these days.

[Ianthe]

I don't have huge gaps but I do have five kids. Don't underestimate the power of older siblings in entertaining the baby. I don't know but suspect it won't be as draining as you had twins last time too.

[belnryan]

I had an 11 year old and 9 year old when we had our planned number 3.

I loved the time i had with number 3 whilst the older two were at school. I found it easy, i did go onto have number 4 though as i didn't want my 3rd to grow up alone.

Everything just came back to me and whilst my first two were fantastic sleepers my 3rd was a nightmare but i enjoyed every minute and i was more relaxed because i knew how quickly they grow so appreciated everything much more and didn't worry about the little things as much.

I am finding it harder now with the age gap, spending quality time with them as a family and finding things to interest the teenagers aswell as the little ones.

I'm heading to bed but feel free to pm me if you have any questions or just want to chant.

[shoopdeboop]

Thanks for the replies.
I do feel like I will be much more capable of looking after a baby this time. And I know the older kids will love helping out and will adore the baby. I just have some little panic attacks about losing my sense of freedom I guess. Also, ensuring that as my older kids get older they remain close with their younger sibling/s, as I was part of a family with the same age gaps and don't feel that I grew up with my older brothers at all. I never wanted that for my own family so that disappoints me, but... it couldn't be avoided unfortunately.

[bella67]

my eldest was 10 and 8 when l had my third and l wasnt sure how l would go but it was quite easy as the older two would help me

[my serenity]

You will love it
trust me others old enough to look after themselves you and baby can sleep and they will be ok milk bread runs are easy and before you now it you can leave the house for an hour and the older ones make great babysitters!
i can go on for hours my 6 and 9 yr gap was wondeful! and my older ones so loving and protective of their little sister