I'm Back!!

Hello everyone, there has been a bit of a break in my posts and this is not just because I have gone silent on you. My husband and I recently welcomed our third child to the mix and I have been settling into what it is like to be a mother of three. Instead of going into the normal spout of information, this week is a bit more personal. Here are some of my reflections as I have adjusted to life with three little ones who need you and love you and are utterly dependent on you for every aspect of life.

What a baby's cry really tells you

Firstly, I will start with a bit of a mythbuster. I was told before I had kids, that as a mother you know what your child's cry means. This has not been true for me. I do not know what my child's cry means and I haven't for any of my children. I can usually make a very educated guess and I am usually right but that is not because the sound of their cry is informative but rather I have been with them all day and I can guess what they need. For example, it's been awhile since their last feed, or they have been on the floor too long and need a cuddle, or I can smell the poop. I often find if I have spent the day away from them, I am right back to having absolutely no clue what they want or need.

I absolutely love being a Mum. I get surprised how I love each kid in such a different way. None of them can be replaced. To help me become the best mother I can be, I have discovered two things that have really helped me keep my priorities straight.

Bonding in the little moments

Firstly, take time for the little bonding moments. With three kids needing help, I usually spend the day jumping from one kid to the next until I suddenly find it is the end of the day. I don't want my kids to remember their mother as someone who was always busy, stressed and never had time for them. So everyday, I keep an eye out for those special moments that it is important to drop everything and slow the pace down. Even if it is only for 10 minutes. It might be my eldest son wanting to build a train track or show me how he can write his name. Or my middle child needs a cuddle and wants to be next to mum. Or taking time with my little ones bath so I can memorise every inch of her precious little body. Being silly for that five minutes because a funny song has come on and the kids want to dance. Being excited about splashing down the puddles and not thinking about the pile of already dirty laundry at home.

It sounds simple but this is where the real memories come from and the reality is there is always going to be more washing to put on, more food to cook, more toys to put away. It is a busy time of life but busy doesn't have to define our life.

Systems that keep me sane

The second thing I have found to be absolutely golden during this time. This is what keeps me sane. Systems. Every thing has a system: whether it is laundry, kitchen, cooking, shopping, schedule. Ideally, the system is set-up so if I can't do it and someone else needs to step in, it is clear what needs to be done. I am not going to lie, we are still developing systems in some parts of life. However, this has been what I have focused on the most this time around and it has made life so much easier. Every thing is running so much smoother despite having three kids around. When number two arrived and I realised that all of my systems were utterly reliant on me and it was absolute chaos.

The best advice on parenting multiples

Many people ask what it is like juggling multiple kids. The reality is that life is busy, and you are always a little sleep deprived, but it is so rewarding. One piece of advice I was given which I have held on to during this time is always pay attention to the eldest child. Your baby won't remember this time, but your eldest will, so it is important that they don't feel ignored. I have found this has been the best advice I received. Children bring out the best part of you and it is lovely watching how siblings change and affect each other for the better. I watch how my eldest two interact and it is so beautiful to see the bond that is forming between them. I know I will look back on this stage of my life and miss it.