4 under 4.5 years?

[Michelle71]

TBH - if we still decide to head for four, we will have the same spacing. I couldn't imagine getting out of the groove we are in to wait a bit. While I'm mad, I think I'll stay mad and sleep deprived

[Freya]

TBH Melly from someone who has 3 under 3...............Id say wait.

Give me two years and hopefully I can convince DH we need one more; we would have caught up on sleep by then

[*Beema*]

Mel I am know I only have one, but I would have to agree with the getting the sleepless nights and nappies out of the way, I think when we get around to it again I am going to be in for a huge shock

My brother have four under 4 and while it was crazy there for a while, it got easier as each child would reach school age, the SIL was in for a shock when they were all at school! I think they would have gone on for more, but her OB advised against it as her body needed to "recover" all of hers were very close

Sorry to hijack but OMG!!! Starbright I didn't know - huge congratulations babe!!!

OMG!!!! Starbright!!! Wooo Hoooo!!!

[AwesomeFoursome]

I also agree with the getting the sleepless nights and nappies out of the way .

[AmandaJ]

Mel I had 4 under 5.5 and some days it was stressful and other days it is so great, really it's only you that can really answer weather or not you can cope with 4 under 4.5. If you decide to do it then there will be pelenty of support here for you .

[Pretty Butterfly]

Ok, I had 3 in 3.5 yrs, big break, now 4 in 3.8 years, roughly........

To be honest, the big break was the hardest... I STILL hate it....

It is SO hard to go back to "babies" after having big kids...... I love how my littlies are all little, together, and they will toddle off to preschool and school all a year after each other too!! Which also means I get my life back so many years earlier than if they were all spaced out...

They play so well together mostly, where as they annoy the older kids a bit.... if Za was a little older, and Kane and Harmony a little younger, I'm certain they would fight more...

They are more independant, having each other, and dont need me every second of the day... and when bub does get here, they will still be young, but have each other to entertain when I'm busy, rather than be relying on me because all the siblings are older and at school...

I found 3 much easier than 2, as they entertained each other when I was busy. When I only had 2, I had to feed bubba, and was soley resposible for #1... 3 was easier.... I am hoping so is 4 !!!!

[Arimeh]

Jodie - yeah thats what I have found too. DS and DD1 play together most of the time and entertain each other - so I can do what I need to with DD2.. I have found it a lot easier than when I just had DS as a 19 month old and DD1 as a newborn.

The ages (if we DO decide to go for #4 - nothing is set in stone at the moment) would be:
DS - 4.5
DD1 - 3 (or almost)
DD2 - at least 19 months.

So I don't think its too unmanageable? DS would be going off to school in the next year (I think? They go to kindy or something at 5 don't they?) so I would basically have what I have at the moment.

[Tanya]

I think with any change in parenting you just cope, your parenting changes with your circumstances. I went to visit a friend in hospital the other day and the woman in the room with her had just had her 4th and she now has 4 under 3.5... I also recall my aunt telling me about a women who had 6 under 5... women addapt to what they are delt

xx

[Liviam]

Go for it!!! You'll adjust and before you know it you wont even remember what it was like with only 3.

[mbear]

i had 4, 5yrs and under...ATM have 4, 6 and under.

Its FRIGGEN HARD WORK....ive just had a bit of a meltdownt he past few days actually...DH works 2 jobs, he has a deadline to meet and hes been working ALL DAY/ALL NIGHt.....im so exhausted. But not here to whinge about me...................i would wait too.....seriously......

I find it interesting that people comment on kids off to school is somewhat of a good thang...i find school a PITA. I would rather have all 4 at home. My youngest started kindergarten in 2009...and working out sleeps, doing housework, reading with her, doing school activities with her...my golly. Hard, hard, hard. GOne are the days where i used to say 'we will jsut have a day at home today'....i dunno.....yes, you would have loads of support here...but we cant fold ya washing for you can we ??? I would wait...maybe until #3 is 2 ???nearing 2 ????

[Arimeh]

...but we cant fold ya washing for you can we ???

Wait - you FOLD your washing? LOL... seriously some days it stays in the washing basket after coming off the line and I reuse it over the next couple of days.. LOL

Anyway its all hypothetical at the moment - gotta fix my bod up a bit first

[rhyb]

I have 4 under 2, and Ill probably be eating my words in a couple months but Im finding this alot easier than I thought it would be. Ive been blessed with 4 terrific sleepers that have all managed self settling though. Aiden helps feed the babies and helps with nappy changes and 'reads' them books so hes always entertained and DS is quite an independent little guy so he doesnt need me to sit with him 24/7 which makes things easier. While the babies are sleeping in the afternoon we do stuff together, like playing outside or if its raining we sit on the couch and read books or watch a movie or play blocks. I manage to give all the kids one on one mummy time even if its having a baby in the sling while I hang out laundry or going for a walk to pick DS up from daycare.
I think if DS was much older it would of been harder for me to go back to the newborn stage.

[StrawberryMumma]

Do what you want chicky!! It will be full on, but I think things would be pretty full on for you now! Why not throw another one in the mix

[halltribe]

Ha ha girls what a good giggle...

Me I had 3 under 21/2years (no twins) and then 4 under 4. I also had an older speccial needs boy as well. My 4 under 4 are now 6,7,8,9 and looking back it was a blur!!!! I have to rely on my friends to share their memories of what it was like because i was in the midst of it all and hardly had time to breathe!!!

I have gone on to have more and the have been a llittle better spaced but my close 4 are all ready good friends. I wouldn't change a thing.

[Ginger]

double post

[Ginger]

double post

[Ginger]

what about taking them all out for the day on your own? how would you manage that? or would it mean that you'd be staying home a lot more?
honestly, i would be really anxious if i had to go to a shopping centre, or the beach, or the swimming pool or even a birthday party on my own (while dh was at work) with 4 kids under 4.5 years.

[Arimeh]

Ginger.... well I don't go out on my own now with the 3 of them... so there would be no difference, I'd still be a hermit.. LOL