3 under 3 and working...

Dec31stBride

Hello Ladies,

We will add 2 more to our family by June, and I will go back to work (probably sometime in August). I have a "field-based" position, which means I work from home, but travel a bit (usually an overnight 3-4x a month, and longer 3-night trips quarterly). DH works a regular office job and can be home by 5 if he leaves for work at 6:15 (40-mile commute - beats traffic).

Anyone else have 3 LO's? what are your mornings and evenings like (aside from chaotic)? DH is definitely concerned about what's gonna happen when I start traveling again (we do have family support close by).

Right now we have about 3 hrs of family time in the evening, and I usually have a somewhat leisurely am routine with DS - about 1 hr for him to get dressed, eat breakfast, and watch some tv. Things will certainly be insane with 2 newborns, but I am curious for any shared experiences... 

Mrs.JDD

What will you do for daycare?  IMO, having someone come to your house and watch the children might be your best option.  That way, your mornings won't be quite so bad because you won't have to get anyone dressed and out of the house.  It might also help yh, since the person who comes to your house might be able to be around more when you are traveling, whereas daycare hours are set, kwim?

Roco&Leche

We will have 3 under 3 or close to that this fall.  My DD turns 2 in march. my DS turns one in march and I am due August/September.  Difference is that I dont really travel and if I do, my mom is nearby and more than happy to help with anything she can.

My first question is also what is your day care situation? A nanny may be the best option. I can only imagine its close to the same costs as day care if not cheaper and may offer more flexibility in hours.   

Another option is to have a nanny for when you travel only to help DH. 

Good luck! It can be done. at least I hope so.

Dec31stBride

Thanks for the replies. DS is in an awesome daycare about 1 mile from the house. Their hours can't be beat - 6:30 am - 6:00 pm. DS is usually there 9-5, but goes earlier when I am out of town.

We considered a nanny, but I will not take DS out of daycare - he's been there since he was 8 wks and he is flourishing. I just think it would be bad for him to be stuck at home with a nanny and 2 infants. We figure my mom can help out when I'm gone (she lives right down the street). Our housekeeper, who now comes 2x per month, also does childcare and said she could help out when I'm away too.

I guess I am just curious about mornings and evenings in a "large" family (large to me - most people I know have only 2 kids or mom's not working).

jlw2505

Honestly your daycare sounds great and you have what sounds like a great support system.  I would not change any of that as I think adding the twins will be enough change for your son.  The best advice I ever got (my girls are 21 months apart and DH and I both work FT) is to get everything and I mean everything ready the night before.  Have everyone's school/work bags packed including all meals (have them in the fridge ready to go into a bag the next day or even in the bag already).  Have bottles made if using bottles for the babies, have breakfast ready for your son unless he eats at daycare than its not an issue.  Pick out all clothes, including socks, undies, diapers and have them layed out and ready to be put on.  Keep the morning routing simple and the same so everyone knows what to do and when.  I would have your sitter or mom on hand to help your DH out at first when you travel and then as the babies get older and your DH gets used the routine, let him make the call on how much help he needs.  Being prepared is key.  We also have dinners premade as much as possible so all we need to do is heat or cook but all veggies are cut in advance and stuff like that.  Makes for a little longer at night but makes life so much easier in the am.

BizEB

I'm in a very similar situation.  I have a 17 month old and am pregnant with twins, due this summer. 

I work part-time and will definitely continue to do that after the twins get here.  We currently have in-home nanny care for my son on the days I work.

My tentative plan is to have a full-time nanny work with just the twins and I'll pay her to come early so she can watch them while I get ready for work and she will stay and help me put all three kids to bed (my hubby's schedule is very unpredictable).  She'll also be there on my days off to provide an extra set of hands.  My son's nanny is part-time and she'll remain so- I feel like I can manage all three kids on my days off if I have just one extra set of hands.  It's a ton of care but people don't really do daycare where I live and we don't have family nearby and I really want to work so it is what it is. 

If I lived in a house and had the space, I'd get a live-in nanny.  That's something we're considering longer term.