I barely made it to my car after learning I was expecting twins when I heard the phrase that would define the next couple of years: “Wow,” the ultrasound technician exclaimed while examining my belly, “Three under three. You’re in for a wild ride.” Yes, indeed! I replied, diligently wiping off the excess lubricant from my backside. My hands would undoubtedly be full.
When we shared the news with family, the reactions were quite similar across the board: “But your home is just two bedrooms! Five people in a two-bedroom house? And no garage?” I’m not sure what they thought we’d do with the garage space, but their point was valid. They then peered into my compact car, asking, “How will you fit three car seats and a double stroller in there?” A fair question, indeed.
Post-delivery, I didn’t escape the maternity ward without a lactation consultant counting my feedings like a restaurant bill. “That’ll be eight feedings a day times two,” she said, leaning in close as if my left breast needed special attention. “That’s 16… if you’re lucky.” Luck wasn’t on our side; I averaged about 20 feedings in those initial months. My insatiable babies were always hungry!
On our first trip to Costco for our weekly truckload of diapers, the cashier glanced at my oldest, who has special needs, and at the twins in their carriers. “Three in diapers, huh? That’s going to cost you,” she said, and we both looked at the total on the screen—she was spot on.
When my maternity leave ended, HR did the math for me: even with a generous discount, putting all three kids in daycare would turn my paycheck into a bill. We had officially entered the negative zone. The fun math of supporting five on a single income was a challenge. While it saved us some cash, it played havoc with my mental state. When friends saw me coming, they’d offer pats on the back and quick hugs, often exclaiming over the noise of one or more children crying: “There are only 24 hours in a day. You can’t do it all.” But if I don’t, I wanted to ask, then who will?
On the twins’ first day of preschool, I brought along their older brother. When the teacher learned his age, she gasped dramatically, her hands flying to her cheeks. “Oh dear! Three college tuitions at once? Goodness!” I went home and found myself searching for college funds and health savings plans.
As time passed, the most common advice remained unchanged. This is something all mothers hear, often expressed in cursive on a Hallmark card: “The days are long, but the years are short.” While I’m still deep in the trenches of potty training and dealing with runny noses, I can’t confirm this saying just yet, but I suspect there’s truth in it. Someday, I’ll likely look back and reminisce about how quickly it all flew by.
I’ve always been decent at math—not a genius, but I could hold my ground. So, the constant reminders from others were not surprising—they were merely acknowledgments of how tough it was during those early days of motherhood. However, the next time I see a mom with three kids under three, I think I’ll just hand her a Starbucks gift card and keep my thoughts to myself.
For more insights on parenting and home insemination, check out this post about the home intracervical insemination syringe kit combo, which is a great resource for those considering starting a family. Also, the March of Dimes offers excellent information on pregnancy that can be helpful during this exciting time.
Summary:
Navigating the challenges of raising three children under three is a whirlwind of emotions, logistics, and financial considerations. From the incredulous reactions of family to the daily grind of feedings and diaper changes, the experience can feel overwhelming. Yet, amidst the chaos, there’s a sense of camaraderie among mothers facing similar struggles. Connecting with resources like home insemination kits and March of Dimes can provide support and guidance for those embarking on this parenting journey.
Keyphrase: reality of three under three
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