Is three a crowd?

Mama Turg - 30 Apr 17

I have two hands and two children, therefore my hands are pretty full, but I can’t deny the burning in my ovaries and the wonder of number 3. But how would that work? Would I have to juggle them? Could I carry the newborn strapped to me with the elder two in each hand? Handcuff them to the pram? Would the eldest two ride a tandem?

I guess what the big issue here is will I be outnumbered? I will never forget seeing James Corden being interviewed and him saying “Having one is like you have bought a nice pet, having two is like you’ve bought a zoo!”

This is so true! first time round you just don’t appreciate the quiet, the sole attention on the baby and sure it’s a shock to the system, but your day is your own, revolving around feeding and changing but pretty much you run your day with your new sidekick in tow. You moan about the sleep deprivation and overthink every sniffle, record every milestone and you don’t have Doc Mcstuffin on series link. You have so much freedom, I wish I had appreciated this more. Fast forward three years and our days of swanning around baby groups, occasional ikea trips and coffee meets begin dwindle and the now we are utterly ruled by the school run.

Each morning watching the clock…dressed, teeth, beds made, breakfast, coats, shoes on and then the theme tune to “Justin’s House” begins – oh bugger thats our claxton – move it guys, out the door!! Some days I think I’m nailing this. I do a quick scan of the house, bonus points when pots are washed and away. This is it guys, we are winning at life and I even have your trip money and you only got the letter yesterday, sod it lets feel really good and bring the bikes. That’s it we are on time, my kids are bike riding to school, water bottles are filled and i’m wearing mascara – I would like to add.

Now I’ve had a few years practise at this (this is not always real life, we often have a meltdown and cereal spillage, not to mention hair brush time); my eldest is in year one now and by youngest in morning Nursery but when I think back to the early school run days. It really gives me shivers; mid pack up new baby wants a feed, then has poo, don’t forget that reading record, oh and it’s pe today. I remember I would reach the school gates, sweating already at 8.45am, I’d remembered everything, made the beds, everyone was dressed and we had arrived…YES!! Where is my gold medal? I often felt an urge for a victory dance. Why didn’t other Mums high 5 me as we passed on the path, that’s right guys she’s got two french plaits in too. God I feel amazing.

I must add that my husband works away so 50% of the time I am parenting alone and it is hard work. People say I’m crazy to consider another baby at this point in my life, both my children will be full time at school by September and I know for sure that Robert the Robot (Justin’s weird assistant) would be in full flow whilst we still hadn’t reached for our coats, pony tails would replace plaits and pots would remain in the sink. Bike riding would be a distant memory and I would spend so much time finding those annoying clips to make sure the carseat would be able to go onto its wheels, for the 2 minute journey from the car to the school entrance, where for sure I would end up sweating. (Note to all mums, never where chiffon when you are in mum mode).

I’m pretty lucky at the moment, my children are of an age where they are starting to become independent. I’ve always said that it never gets easier. Being a parent you are only faced with different challenges. Night feeds with a newborn are replaced with negotiations with a toddler. It’s all challenging and it’s all hard work. People think I’m crazy to even consider having another one. But I know when I had my youngest that when I had him in my arms and that euphoric feeling of giving birth, I knew then I wasn’t done. But will we ever think this is the last one? The little love bubble of the first week at home, the newborn smell, the curled bundle over your shoulder. Obviously there is the flip side to this – let’s be realistic, lack of sleep, the guessing game (wind/hunger/teeth/generally being annoying), the postnatal bod battle…yes I know all of these things.

Question is do you stick to with what you’ve got? It’s working – most of the time. Or do I pop another into the mix (if you read my last post you will know that this would probably be a little redhead). I am from a family with two sisters, who are my life, my best friends and I am so grateful that my Mum gave me this gift. I am not searching to recreate this with my little family and of course dynamics in each family are different. But what’s one more monkey in the zoo…right?

Mama Turg

Mum of two, qualified teacher with a love of homes and interiors, 5'7, who enjoys light hearted reading; seeking platform to start blogging. Make mine a glass of Malbec.

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