https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 06 May 2026 05:18:54 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-3-how-do-you-do-it#post-2925571 Mon, 22 Nov 2021 16:41:55 +0000 Shantuck 2925571@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was also surprised by the pregnancy of my third and felt hugely guilty of all of the things it would take away from my older two (who were 7 and 3 at the time my youngest was born). I actually spent a lot of my pregnancy pretty bummed and apprehensive about it all. My older two adore our little guy (now 20 months) and we have made efforts to go places on occasion with just the big kids to do big kid things. Next month, we have a sitter booked to watch the little guy while DH, the kids, and I go snow tubing and to dinner. I really do think that sometimes things are just meant to be. Like maybe your family needs this baby and just doesn't know it yet. Feel what you feel. I still have my moments where I feel guilty that one of three at any given moment isn't getting all that they need from me but all you can do is your best and remind yourself that it's enough. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-3-how-do-you-do-it#post-2925556 Sat, 20 Nov 2021 05:40:17 +0000 My Only Sunshine 2925556@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I actually just randomly checked in here after not posting for a long time. I have 3 kiddos and we always thought we would have 2. We basically decided on a whim to try for a third even though we had given away ALL of our baby stuff. He’s almost 4 now and I’m so glad we had him. I read somewhere that 3 kids makes you a “small big family” and that feels true to me. Our attention as parents is spread out but they have each other. I think being called in to help sometimes has made my older two more caring and helpful in general.</p> <p>And do not feel guilty taking maternity leave! The only way we as a society keep moms in all levels of the workplace long term is to normalize maternity leave. It benefits you and all the women you work with when you take your leave with appreciation but without guilt.</p> <p>Congratulations! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-3-how-do-you-do-it#post-2925544 Thu, 18 Nov 2021 20:02:59 +0000 Cait1 2925544@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nwm: @ElbieKay: @LadyDi: @periwinklebee: @bhbee: @Alexandra603: @ALV91711: @LemonJack: @Nutella: thank you all for the words of encouragement :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-3-how-do-you-do-it#post-2925543 Thu, 18 Nov 2021 19:58:57 +0000 Nutella 2925543@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cait1: wow, what a miracle alright! Our third baby was planned but took a while to arrive and i still had moments in the pregnancy of apprehension/what have we done! But after he arrived he has balanced out our family (now three boys) but also added SO much more love. His brothers adore him so much. We all often wonder out loud how amazing it is he is here. So definitely take time to acknowledge your feelings but know that your boys will have their own take on the situation. And it’ll likely be a great one :heart: good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-3-how-do-you-do-it#post-2925542 Thu, 18 Nov 2021 18:36:46 +0000 LemonJack 2925542@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have three and it’s definitely been crazy at times, but I wouldn’t trade it. You’ll get in your groove with three. Don’t feel bad about having all the feelings. Our third was planned, but I still had moments of panic wondering if I was crazy and worrying about how it would affect my older two. For what it’s worth, their adore their brother, and he adores them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-3-how-do-you-do-it#post-2925534 Thu, 18 Nov 2021 00:58:35 +0000 ALV91711 2925534@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’m 20 weeks with our very much a surprise 3rd. Not going to lie that I cried a lot when I found out. Three a curveball in our plans for the next couple years and I’ll be 40 a couple weeks after my due date. I’m starting to warm up to the idea but have yet to get really excited. My boys are both excited and like to hug and kiss the baby. They will be 9 and 3.5 when this guy is born. </p> <p>I think it is totally ok to feel however you may feel. It is a big change. Sending some hugs and love. </p> <p>It is kind of crazy how many other surprise #3’s there are. But comforting in a way as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-3-how-do-you-do-it#post-2925533 Thu, 18 Nov 2021 00:20:04 +0000 Alexandra603 2925533@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We waffled on having a 3rd for years, finally did have our third last year and my husband and I say "oh my gosh, I'm so glad we had him!" about every day! I love watching my older kids love on him (my oldest was 6.5 when he was born). It's going to be ok! Better then ok :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-3-how-do-you-do-it#post-2925530 Wed, 17 Nov 2021 17:06:06 +0000 bhbee 2925530@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>3 can definitely be crazy at times and I 100% agree take the time to adjust! I had a super emotionally difficult miscarriage before our third and we had given up on getting pregnant again when it happened. We tried so hard for her and I still felt really weird about it. </p> <p>Second, my oldest is 6.5 years older than my third and it is such a sweet age gap. I agree with above that the love between siblings is the best part, just so sweet - and I bet your 6yo will be a big help, too - and probably love being a helper to your middle child to free up your hands a bit. </p> <p>One thing I really found with 3 is my husband had to step up more. I could no longer do everything myself all the time. But that said, until our baby was 18m he worked past bedtime every weeknight and basically saw the kids on weekends and we survived. I left more dishes in the sink and laundry in a heap and he pitched in more, which overall was good for us. And he has a special bond with our third. </p> <p>So, gentle congratulations and take your time with it and look forward to the extra love when you are ready. :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-3-how-do-you-do-it#post-2925529 Wed, 17 Nov 2021 16:33:01 +0000 periwinklebee 2925529@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm due any day with our third. We were on the fence and a bit shocked it actually happened. I'm still honestly not sure it was the "right" decision, I do feel the guilt and also worry that I'm not going to be able to cope/am just not a good enough mom to handle three. I think it's totally normal to have and continue to have these worries, and fine to feel whatever you feel. I'm not much for advice since I haven't actually had to parent all three on the outside yet, but please be kind to yourself and don't feel bad about your boys, the gift of a sibling is so special.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-3-how-do-you-do-it#post-2925526 Wed, 17 Nov 2021 15:32:46 +0000 LadyDi 2925526@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My third was unplanned and is very close in age to my second, so it took me a long time to process and be excited. It's totally ok to have those feelings, you don't "need" to be immediately excited even though you've previously struggled with infertility. And I do feel stretched thin most days and my temper is too short and sometimes it is hard...but I do feel like our third child really balanced out my kids and our family. I love, love, love seeing the bond that the three of them have. I know that it might not be lifelong but right now it makes it very worth it. Don't feel sad for your boys because they will probably be SO excited! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-3-how-do-you-do-it#post-2925521 Wed, 17 Nov 2021 13:08:09 +0000 ElbieKay 2925521@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We also have an unplanned third child, but it's because our second sticky pregnancy turned out to be twins.</p> <p>First of all: Please give yourself space to adjust to this news. It's a surprise and a shock. You don't have to be instantly happy just because it's a baby. One of my twin mom friends told me that she cried in the shower every night for a month when she found out she was having twins. She is an amazing mom and adores her kids.</p> <p>Second of all: Please wait a few weeks. I personally batted 500 with fertility: I had three miscarriages, and I have three healthy children. With my second miscarriage, my pregnancy was a little earlier than I'd expected, and I had to process some ambivalence. Then, just as I'd started to get excited, I miscarried. It was a crummy roller coaster.</p> <p>Third: My son ADORES his younger siblings, and that is one of the best parts of having so many kids. It doesn't make up for having his parents spread thin, but it adds another benefit that you may not be considering right now.</p> <p>Finally: CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR PREGNANCY! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-3-how-do-you-do-it#post-2925520 Wed, 17 Nov 2021 12:05:30 +0000 nwm 2925520@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My number 3 was a surprise that came very shortly after I received a promotion at work, also (and very shortly after I returned from my second mat leave), so I really sympathize with what you are feeling. What got me through it was thinking how much richer our lives would be two years, five years, twenty years into the future. Logistics are a lot harder and our family is definitely a frazzled mess more than I'd care to admit, but we all love our littlest guy to pieces (and he's turning 2 today)!! His big siblings especially love him so much, so all the worry I had about sharing attention has melted away. </p> <p>Also, work was way more understanding than I feared. At the end of the day, a mat leave is a very short blip in a long career. It's all going to be ok :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moms-of-3-how-do-you-do-it#post-2925519 Wed, 17 Nov 2021 10:58:21 +0000 Cait1 2925519@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband and I are super infertile - our oldest son (currently 6) is adopted and our youngest was conceived via donor embryos/IVF (1.5). We’ve been married almost 9 years and never gotten pregnant naturally. I was late this month and took a pregnancy test on a whim. Shocked to discover I must be 5-6 weeks pregnant. :shocked: </p> <p>I am terrified and had never really considered having a third. I have no desire to be pregnant or have a newborn. :crying: My husband works a weird schedule and I solo parent roughly half of the week. I just got a huge promotion and feel so guilty taking yet another maternity leave. Financially, we *can* swing it, but it’ll mean cutting back in ways we did not plan to. I’m sad for my boys and feel guilty that our money, time, and attention will be spread even more thin. I’m also worried about how this will impact my oldest’s feelings around his adoption - if he will feel like the odd one out because I didn’t give birth to him. </p> <p>I know many of you are moms of three (or more). Any advice? Is it going to be ok? I’m so upset and feel bad that this miracle happened and I’m not at all happy about it. </p>