How do you fit it all in? Trying to settle into being a mother of 3.

[~me~]

Plan ahead Mine are 7, 4, and 1..so I manage pretty smoothly.
The hardest year I found was when DS1 was in kinder and DS2 was asleep at pick up time..I either had to risk (kinder only around the corner) a quick run in for Kinder pick up or wake him. Most of the time I would wake him.
Now I have DS1 at School, DS2 at Kinder and DD tagging along no matter what time. She just fits in with whatever, eats and sleeps on the run. I found I am alot more relaxed about routine during the day with DD.
As for myself, I am in bed at 8:30pm most nights, read for 30mins and lights out! In fact that is probably 6 out 7 nights. I may stay up until 9:30pm on a Saturday
You are doing a great job, somehow it just all works. Yep, you have THOSE days where everything and anything can go wrong, they are few and far inbetween and are usually a good laugh with DH at the end of the day.

[*Ali*]

This could be me too- although I am really really lucky that DD2 is a take along baby, she is settled and happy most of the time.
My capsule has been my best friend, being able to settle her to sleep in her capsule if I need to pick dd1 up from school. I have tried to get ito the habit of getting dinner prepared in the middle of the day, so at the feral hour it can just be chucked on- or I use the slow cooker.
I agree about letting stuff go, sometimes you just have to say no- especially as being out of the house all over the place can be so unsettling, for bubs. I guess at the end of the day you just have to take each day as it comes, and micro manage- if that means everybody spends the whole day in the pj's and eats toast for breakfast lunch and dinner then so be it!

[minimatron]

mmm.... Capsule is my saviour, I try to double the amount of a meal I cook and freeze as I go. So I have a few meals in the freezer for those horrible days! I try not to worry if they are in their pjs for the day.... I get dh to pick up food on the way home if need be. If the house work isnt done, I just have to soldier on a much as I hate to see it dirty! Its busy but its fun!

[Just Me]

I was going to start this post with the EXACT words as minimatron

The capsule is my life saver. If I have to go out, my baby gets put to sleep in it and the in and out of the car doesn't affect them at all that way. I think it is about the only thing that has gotten me through and meant that my babies have had something that slightly resembles a routine.

I am at a point now though, where I stick to going out in the mornings only for outings and activities (like playgroup and mother's group). Not always possible with other commitments, but I have said no to commitments that don't fit into our routine. DD1 has just started kindy so on kindy days I work all our naps and meals around her drop off and pick up times. So far so good

[*EJ*]

Thanks ladies, you've given me a few ideas that i will most definately try. I know it's early days but some days just feel so out of control and i get so stressed then i'm a grumpy mum and i feel bad.

My goodness it's a challenge but i love it