Life with a Spirited Third Child

home insemination Kit

I’ve been meaning to share this for a while now. Honestly, I’ve been wanting to write anything at all, but time is fleeting. My 19-month-old is on a mission, and I have mere moments before he embarks on any of the following adventures:

• Fishing out leftover food from the trash for a snack.
• Trying to remove outlet covers (with questionable success).
• Opening the oven.
• Messing with the stove.
• Discovering a steak knife at the bottom of the dishwasher, which could lead to a potential Barbie hostage situation.
• Resisting sleep like a champion.
• Ripping childproof locks off cabinets with sheer determination.
• Hiding my car keys in the most creative spots.

Maybe it’s just the sleep deprivation talking, but I recall hearing all those clichés about third children when I was pregnant with mine: “They just go with the flow. They have to.” “They’re so mellow!”

Really? I call BS. Sure, generalizations are just that, but these are probably the same folks who assured me I’d forget the agony of childbirth or that a single piece of chocolate could satisfy my cravings.

Let me tell you, my cabinets are locked down, my outlets are covered, and every door is shut when not in use—things I definitely didn’t do with my first two kids. I may have even rolled my eyes at those who did (sorry, not sorry).

I genuinely admire my little one’s relentless spirit and his determination to leave his mark on our family, which seems to involve four main strategies:

1. Stay awake at all costs.
2. Create a path of delightful chaos.
3. Relocate any important items to secret toddler hideouts.
4. Maintain a strong connection with his favorite colander.

Yes, you read that right. While other kids might cling to security blankets or stuffed animals, my son has an unwavering attachment to a pasta strainer. Forget the kid-sized cookware; he’s all about the real deal. And don’t even think about taking it from him unless you want to unleash a storm of toddler fury.

When he isn’t mounting a kitchenware coup, he’s busy hoarding all sorts of things—DVDs, princess toys, or even random spices. Just the other day, I discovered my paprika, sunglasses, and my older son’s overdue library book inside an old gift box. Talk about a treasure hunt!

And let me tell you, the amount of time I spend searching for the TV remote? Unmeasurable. At least my little one has helped us cut back on screen time!

So, that whole “mellow third child” stereotype? Not even close. He’s eager to be part of the action, to join in on the noise and games of his older siblings. He’s non-stop, wants to be held, and refuses to miss a moment.

Yet, once in a blue moon, he does pause—just long enough for me to locate my keys and rinse out the colander.

For more engaging insights, check out this post on our blog about home insemination. And if you’re curious about the best tools for self insemination, visit Cryobaby, a trusted resource. Plus, for all things pregnancy, March of Dimes offers fantastic week-by-week guidance.

In summary, don’t believe the hype about third children being mellow. They’re often the wild cards, bringing energy and chaos to the family dynamic while keeping us on our toes!