Everyone assured me that adjusting to life with three kids would be a breeze compared to the leap from one to two. “You won’t even notice the third,” they claimed. Well, they were mistaken. Perhaps it’s the age gaps, the personalities of my children, or maybe our family is just the outlier among well-adjusted families of five. Whatever the reason, the arrival of our third child turned our world upside down.
New Challenges with a Third Child
For us, adding a third kid brought a slew of new challenges that required major adjustments:
Dining Out
Dining out became a rarity, only happening when absolutely necessary. My partner and I used to be food enthusiasts, frequently enjoying meals out even after our first two children were born. I took pride in this, believing it was important for both our kids and us. However, with the third child, it felt unmanageable. Suddenly, we had more kids than adults, and keeping them content during a meal to avoid disturbing fellow diners was overwhelming, if not terrifying. Now, takeout is our go-to, often consumed in the car while the kids munch on homemade lunches, or in front of the TV after the little ones are tucked in for the night.
Caffeine Dependency
Coffee became my lifeline. I had always enjoyed a good cup, treating myself to occasional lattes on tough days. But with a third baby who had a more erratic sleep schedule than his siblings, I found myself relying on coffee daily, sometimes multiple times. My standards dropped significantly; I was no longer picky about where my caffeine came from. Instant coffee at home became just fine—I needed that caffeine fix to keep up with my three little energy bundles from dawn until dusk.
Home-Cooked Meals
The days of preparing a new, home-cooked meal every day vanished. Now, we manage two or three home-cooked meals a week. Let’s be honest: who has the time or energy for more? Most days, we rely on leftovers or the occasional frozen meal from our favorite stores, and on particularly exhausting nights, we throw together whatever we can find—crackers with pepperoni and a pouch of applesauce becomes dinner.
Screen Time
Our screen time limits have gradually expanded to the maximum recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Before our second child arrived, we had strict no-TV rules for our first. That changed when our second came along, and with the third, I found myself longing for distractions for the older kids while I tended to the baby. Now, we have a limit of four shows a day, and when sickness hits, all bets are off—12 hours of TV is not unheard of during the Great Stomach Flu of 2023.
Fear of Germs
Speaking of germs, my fear of them has skyrocketed. You’d think I’d get used to the constant presence of illness in our home, but after battling the flu, multiple fevers, and other ailments, I’m now perpetually on high alert. I’ve spent a fortune on vitamins and remedies, and it still doesn’t seem enough. At this point, I’m ready to surrender to the germs; the thought of what might come next is just too overwhelming.
Letting Go of Control
I’ve stopped choosing my children’s outfits. In fact, I’ve relinquished many responsibilities that they can handle themselves. Did you know a 3-year-old can dress themselves? And that it doesn’t really matter if your kindergartner wants to wear a floral dress with mismatched leggings? I didn’t realize this until our third child arrived, prompting me to let go of trivial matters. This has significantly lightened my load, both physically and emotionally.
Conclusion
This list barely scratches the surface of how our lives have transformed since our third child, the adorable and determined little one, joined us. Everything has changed, and we’re still adjusting in ways we never anticipated. Life is harder and days feel longer, yet they’re also fleeting. We’ve had to adapt in unexpected ways, and while those who told us it would be easy were wrong, they did get one thing right: our lives are richer, our hearts fuller. The love, laughter, and joy we experience are worth every challenge. Who knows, we might even start whispering about the idea of having another!
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Summary
Welcoming a third child can dramatically shift family dynamics, as experienced by one mother. From dining out becoming near-impossible to coffee addiction, reduced home cooking, and expanded screen time, the adjustments are numerous. The fear of germs escalates, and parenting responsibilities evolve as children grow. Despite the challenges, the rewards of laughter and love make it all worthwhile, leaving the door open for potential future expansions of the family.