I never thought I would be the broody mum type.
You know the one who can’t look at a newborn (or pregnant belly for that matter) without having to talk her ovaries down, like in some kind of hostage stand-off.
Turns out; I totally am.
I LOVE babies. I LOVE being a mum. I LOVED being pregnant, giving birth, the sleepless nights, the nappies, the playdates, the baby aisle at Tesco (God, I LOVE the baby aisle!), the baby swimming lessons, the breastfeeding, you name it; I loved it. And, because of that, want to do it again and again and again…
And so currently, I am working on convincing my other half that we NEED to make another baby.
He, who himself is the youngest of seven(!), thinks that two is so wonderful – and not only that; we have one of each already; like; what more could we want?
The thing is, though, I strongly believe in division of areas of responsibility in the home. Dealing with anything to do with our two cars? NCT’s, oil changes, blah-blah-blah; his job. Planning birthday parties and making sure we always have a stash of cute birthday cards on hand? Totally my job. Figuring out anything to do with tax credits? His. Booking summer holidays? Mine. You see where I am going with this, don’t you? Getting the loose tile in the bathroom fixed? His job. Deciding on the number of children we should have? Mine.
So, the thing is, sure life will be a little busier with three kids than two, but here is why I don’t think he should fret so much about it at all (and why I think a No. 3 is a total no-brainer!):
1. We got this
We have successfully (despite Baby #1 being a TOTAL surprise at the time) managed to get though six years of parenthood so far. The kids are still alive. We are still alive. We are still together, even, which is no small victory either, considering many can’t even manage that. Also, I will argue, our lives now are FAR better than they were before kids – and that speaks volumes considering we both had a fabulous old time between great jobs and good friends and plenty of worldwide travels.
Also; how boring would the future look without kids?!
2. We are way more relaxed now
With baby #1 you spend a lot of time fretting over things like sleep schedules and nappy rash and meningitis. This eases off a little with baby #2, which makes me think that come baby #3, we will be like total pro’s and nothing will ever dent our parental confidence.
3. We already have have ALL the gear
Having Baby #2 was practically like we were SAVING money after buying ALL the baby stuff for baby #1. With baby #3, you are almost making money you are getting so much use out of everything, no?
4. By the time we have three kids, we know that “this too shall pass”
This tired aul’ cliché has been uttered to me countless times over my mothering years, usually by wistful older women who follow it quickly with, “Enjoy it! It goes by fast.”
When I was in the trenches with baby #1, I simply could not believe that the sleepless nights/teething/sore boobs/inability to get of the house would ever end. Even with baby #2, I kind of figured my survival the first go-around must have been a fluke, and it didn’t even matter because managing a newborn with a toddler was a whole different ballgame.
But now? Now I know how fast times goes by and how everything passes and how they are only babies for such a short time, and I will soak it all up. I know now that one day I will sleep again and hold a real conversation and wear clothes that are not stained with leaked breast milk.
In fact, I think baby #3 will be the thing to tip me over the edge and into wistful old lady territory, speaking words of encouragement to every harried mum at Tesco store who’s desperately trying to shush a screaming baby.
Seriously babies, stop growing so fast!
5. Any little achievement will make me feel like Mother of the Year
I already, as a full-time working mum with two kids, feel like when I accomplish anything (seriously; anything!), I should be up for a Mother of the Year award. Everyone brushed their teeth? Mother of the Year. Homework done and dinner cooked? Mother of the Year. Successfully made it in and out of Tesco in under one hour? Mother. Of. The. Year.
Throw another baby into that mix, and I swear my confidence will be through the roof. (Or; you know, fall apart completely when I realize three kids is like 50% more than two and a WHOLE other ball game… but you know, I’m an optimist, it will be GRAND!)
Any mamas of three who can verify that it is TRIPLE the fun with three? Let us know in the comments (so I can show them to my other half and convince him, once and for all!)
(Feature image via Barefootblonde.com)
