I never intended for my children to be born so closely together; it just kind of unfolded that way. After my first child arrived, I was amazed at the frequency with which people asked when I would have another. I would smile and say, “Once he starts school,” which was my initial plan, all while feeling a mix of annoyance and disbelief at the question. It’s a strange feeling to be navigating diaper changes and already facing inquiries about expanding your family.
Eventually, I did become quite the baby-making machine. Having three kids in three years can lead others to wonder if I’ve lost my mind—especially those who were so eager for me to have another child in the first place. When I was pregnant, I would joke that my husband and I were just “really into each other.” But once all the kids arrived, I often thought, “Yes! We might actually be a little crazy!”
This whirlwind experience has shown me that there’s beauty intertwined with chaos when you have kids with minimal age differences. Here’s a glimpse into the ups and downs of this journey:
- Pregnancy Feels Endless
Your first pregnancy clothes are still trendy by the time baby number two rolls around. Strangers no longer offer congratulations; they simply stare at your growing belly and ask, “Again? Are you still pregnant?” To others, it seems like one long, continuous pregnancy. - Your Doctor Becomes a Close Friend
By the time I walked into my first prenatal visit for baby number three, my doctor joked, “You’ve hit your limit with us!” Thankfully, she remembered my preferences from previous pregnancies, like avoiding the scale during the last trimester. - Your Body Knows the Drill
Your body quickly adapts when you get pregnant again. By seven weeks into my third pregnancy, people were already guessing my due date. I was back in maternity jeans almost immediately; it was a lot less thrilling the third time around when someone remarked about my bump or asked if I was having twins. - Naptime is a Gift
On most days, I could get all my kids to nap simultaneously. After lunch, it was a beautiful five-hour stretch of peace. I became a pro at this routine, but putting three kids under three to bed solo is no small feat. - Shared Beliefs in Magic
They all believe in Santa, the Tooth Fairy, and the Easter Bunny together. With such a small age gap, there’s no fear of an older sibling spilling the beans. Just don’t forget to move the elf each night or face the consequences. - Double Diapers
When my youngest was born, my oldest was still in nighttime diapers. The silver lining? You can potty train two at once. The downside is managing three kids in diapers simultaneously. - Sibling Stages
They often go through similar phases together, which can be a confidence booster or a source of anxiety—especially when you’re still recovering from a previous battle with a toddler who insists they can wipe themselves. - No More Nap Conflicts
By the time they’re old enough for activities that might disrupt nap time, they’re all awake and alert. It’s a relief not to wake a sleeping baby for events, though it does mean they’re up all day. - Excuses for Social Events
“Sorry, I have three little ones to manage!” Saying this feels powerful. I often find myself grateful that I can dodge an invitation without crafting a detailed excuse. - Mastering Multitasking
Moms are the ultimate multitaskers. I often found myself feeding one child while entertaining another and retrieving a pacifier for the youngest. Urgency becomes second nature to keep everything from piling up. - Staying Home Becomes Tempting
The thought of buckling in three kids, navigating parking lots, and handling public spaces can feel overwhelming. Sometimes, staying home to do laundry (which I dislike) sounds far more appealing. - Perfection is Out the Window
With three or four kids close in age, striving for perfection becomes unrealistic. You learn to prioritize survival over following every parenting guideline. - Sympathy Crying
When one child cries, they all join in, often leading to a cacophony that drives you to seek earplugs and wine. Sibling rivalry kicks in early, and they seem to compete on who can cry the loudest. - Outgrowing Stuff Together
They all outgrow the children’s menu and clothing sizes at the same time, leading to a rapid increase in expenses. Now I’m the one crying! - Buying Duplicate Toys
They tend to like the same toys simultaneously, which sometimes leads to sanity-saving purchases of duplicates. Just don’t forget to label everything—trust me, it will prevent chaos.
Regardless of how you space out your children, there will always be highs and lows. Having three kids in close succession has left me feeling like a sleep-deprived superhero in need of quiet time—perhaps a corner where I can indulge in frosting. But if I had the chance to do it again, I absolutely would, and in the same whirlwind manner. Watching them share so many experiences is priceless, and I often catch myself marveling at how if I can handle this, I can tackle anything!
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