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The Reality of Three Under Three (Yes, My Hands Are Full)
As soon as I learned I was expecting twins, the ultrasound technician didn’t waste any time in letting me know my life was about to change dramatically. “Three under 3,” she exclaimed while examining my belly, “You’re really going to have your hands full!” Oh, absolutely, I thought as I attempted to wipe off the copious amounts of gel pooling on my backside.
When we shared the news with our family, we were met with variations of the same incredulous reaction: “But you live in a two-bedroom house! Two bedrooms for five people? And no garage?” I wasn’t sure who they thought we could fit in the garage, but they were right—space was going to be tight. Their next concern came when they noticed my little hatchback and asked, “How on earth are you going to fit three car seats plus a double stroller in there?” Great question.
Even before I left the maternity ward, a lactation consultant chimed in with her own calculations: “That’s eight feedings a day times two,” she said, as if she were tallying a restaurant bill. Leaning in closer, she added with a conspiratorial tone, “That’s 16… if you’re lucky.” Spoiler alert: we weren’t lucky—more like 20 feedings a day for my insatiable little ones.
During our initial trek to Costco for our weekly bulk diaper haul, the cashier looked at my eldest, who has cerebral palsy and will need diapers for the foreseeable future, and then at my twins strapped to my chest. “Three in diapers? That’s gonna cost you!” she remarked, and boy, was she right when we saw the total on the screen.
When maternity leave ended, I was met with a rude awakening regarding daycare costs. Human resources kindly informed me that even with a generous 50% discount, putting three kids in daycare would turn my paycheck into a bill. Yes, you read that correctly—we were in the red. Suddenly, surviving on one income became the new math, which was amusing yet stressful. While it saved us some cash, it didn’t do wonders for my mental health. Every time my crew approached, I’d get sympathetic pats and comments like “There are only 24 hours in the day; you can’t do it all.” But I wondered, if I didn’t, then who would?
On the twins’ first day of preschool, I brought along their older brother. When the teacher asked his age and I responded, her face contorted in horror. “Oh my, three college tuitions at once!” she exclaimed. I went home and immediately started googling college funds and health savings plans.
As time has passed, one common phrase has persisted through all the chaos: “The days are long, but the years are short.” Right now, amidst the endless cycle of potty training and wiping noses, I can’t confirm this sentiment, but I have a hunch it’s true. Someday, I’ll look back and reminisce about how fast it all flew by.
I’ve never been a math genius, but I could hold my own. So none of these “helpful” observations came as a shock. I mostly took them as small acknowledgments of the craziness we were navigating. But next time I encounter a mom of three under three, I think I’ll just hand her a Starbucks gift card and keep my thoughts to myself.
For more parenting insights, you might want to check out this resource on home insemination. And if you’re curious about artificial insemination, Make a Mom provides great kits and information. For further assistance on pregnancy and donor insemination, American Pregnancy is an excellent resource.
In summary, navigating life with three children under three is an adventure filled with challenges, unexpected costs, and plenty of moments that leave you questioning how to fit it all in. But in the midst of the chaos, there are also beautiful memories being made, and one day, I’ll cherish every second of it.