Those who have three toddlers

volgirl123 · February 2012

I am starting to feel like I can't do ANYTHING that parents of one or even two toddlers can do. At least when I have two I can hold them both (for a brief period of time) Now that I have three spirited, mobile & indepentant thinkers I am having problems taking them anywhere on my own. We skipped two birthday parties this weekend because I was by myself and my 18 month olds don't really listen well enough to trust if they are in a new (not babyproffed) enviroment. I can't take DD to the bathroom, or even go my self with all three there. I have taken them all to storytime a few times but it is seriously getting embarassing.

Am I alone? Are there any great tips or books that are out there for how to do this until they all listen. And when will they all learn to listen?

I have home with all three since Wednesday & am feeling like I need an intervention!

ougrad1 · February 2012

Emerson is in preschool everyday from 8:30 to 11:30 and the babies are in MDO three days a week at the same time. Then, the babies nap from 1-4 everyday.

I have them all in school next year everyday for three hours.

I just recently (Christmastime) got brave enough to take them all to the grocery.

As far as the birthday parties....I get babysitter for the babies and take Emerson because they're usually during the week and during nap time.

Emerson is a very good girl so, she is never an issue and as long as I have the babies in a double shopping cart OR in the stroller, I'm better off than being at home.

No way in hell would I have been home since Wednesday...I would go BSC.

It's hard!

hollyoid7 · February 2012

the twins and baby are 1 year and 10 days apart. In the beginning I skipped A LOT of stuff if I had to go alone. Now it is easiler. But If I go somewhere, they either all have to be in the buggy or 2 in a stroller and one holding the stroller.It does get easier just takes a while. I have those moments A LOT about how much easier it is with just 1 or 2 toddlers.

lami22005 · February 2012

I have been there and feel your pain. I don't want to discourage you, but I have to say for me-doing a public place and it being manageable and doable without any help was not possible until the twins were close to turning 4 and my younger dd turning 3. (they're 13 months apart). The problem is when you have even one that is an "independent thinker" it just isn't safe.

We'd do friends/family houses a lot when they were younger, and when I wanted to do something fun, I'd leave one of them home or with my mom if I couldn't manage (zoo/Disneyland, etc.) Yes, I felt guilty, but they had no clue at that age.

My husband works nights so I'd have to rely on "help" from my friends, but that doesn't always work out either because they have their own children to look after. All I can say is time passes by so quickly, and I never imagined I'd be at the point where I could do the movies with my 3 or get them all into Disneyland by myself (to meet "help" though). Just enjoy them and try to do as much as you can!

UsedToBeGoldie · February 2012

it's not easy, that is for sure!

We have only done a couple story times- and kept the twins in the stroller the whole time. Book stores like that are DANGEROUS with 3 who can run in different directions and hide behind bookshelves - so no way would i bring them on my own and not in a stroller.

we go to the mall play area a lot - it only has one entrance/exit- so i sit near that and they can run around and play and i can't loose track of them.

there are a few other play places near me i can bring all 3 to alone - but otherwise, the twins need to be in their stroller and DS1 can walk (or ride on the rider board on the back).

grocery store is fine if i get one of the carts with the 'truck" in front for 2 of them + seat up top, etc.

it's all about keeping the twins strapped into something

jennie13 · February 2012

if they are all going to be on the loose (mine are 3.5/18mo twins) I only go places where I'll have friends to help out. If I go to a friend's house or a playspace, my older one is independent enough that I can just focus on the twins. Otherwise, I go places with the valco stroller that holds all 3, or just let my older one walk with the babies in the double umbrella. Most b-day parties are on the weekend, so I just take my older one and leave the babies with their dad.

volgirl123 · February 2012

I'm glad I'm not alone in this. I also feel like the twins need to be strapped into something. I do have them all in MDO two days a week, and my husband helps me on the weekends typically. It's just been really hard the past week because DH was sick & couldn't help.

I take them all on short errands & always have them in the choo-choo wagon, which they love and are pretty well behaved if it is a short trip & I keep it moving. I just feel sort of sad that they can't go to the park on a nice day or to their friends birthday parties because their mom can't handle it. My DD is a really good girl too, but she isn't drama free & she has toddler meltdowns too. I am glad to know I'm not alone......

I did take them to the story time at a book store today for the last 15 minutes & just let them sit in the choo-choo. I just pulled to side side so that they all could see (plus there was a step so I couldn't get up on the platform). The story lady wasn't super nice about making sure she showed my kids the book. There was only one other kid there in his mothers lap. I actually had to request that she show my children the book. People kill me!

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