When I first learned I was expecting twins, I barely made it out of the parking garage before I encountered the phrase that would echo through my life for the next couple of years: “Wow,” said the ultrasound technician, her probe moving over my belly, “Three under 3. You’re going to be busy.” Indeed, I would be—there was no denying that.
Breaking the news to family was an adventure in itself. From every corner of the family tree, we heard variations of the same disbelief: “But you live in a two-bedroom house! Two bedrooms for five people? You don’t even have a garage!” I’m still unsure what they thought we’d do—store one of the kids in the garage, perhaps? Their concerns were valid, though, especially when they peered into my compact hatchback and asked, “How will you fit three car seats and a double stroller in there?” A great question!
After delivering the twins, I didn’t escape the maternity ward without the lactation consultant looming over me, as if tallying my meal plan. “That’s eight feedings a day times two,” she instructed, leaning toward me as if sharing a secret with my left breast. “So, that’s 16… if you’re lucky.” Spoiler alert: we weren’t lucky. I averaged about 20 feedings daily during those first few months, courtesy of my voracious little ones.
Our first Costco trip for a mountain of diapers was eye-opening. The cashier looked at my oldest, who has cerebral palsy and will be in diapers for the foreseeable future, then glanced at the twins strapped to my chest. “Three in diapers, huh? That’ll add up,” she said, and after seeing the final total flash on the screen, we both knew she was right.
As maternity leave wrapped up, human resources kindly pointed out the math for me: placing my three children in the daycare at work, even with a generous 50% discount, meant my paycheck would morph into a bill. We were in the negative, making it more economical for me to quit. The adjustment to living on a single income with five people was a real challenge. While it did help us save money, it took a toll on my mental well-being. As I approached with my crew, I would receive sympathetic pats on the arm and quick hugs, often accompanied by the same refrain: “There are only 24 hours in a day. You can’t do everything.” But I often wondered: if I don’t, who will?
On the first day of preschool for the twins, I took their older brother along. Their new teacher, upon learning his age, gasped dramatically, “Oh dear, three college tuitions at once? My goodness!” I rushed home to search for college savings plans and health savings programs, finding myself overwhelmed with what lay ahead.
As the days turned into months and the challenges evolved, one truth remained constant. It’s a saying I believe all mothers encounter in one form or another, often penned artistically on Hallmark cards: “The days are long, but the years are short.” Currently entrenched in the endless cycle of potty training and wiping noses, I can’t confirm the wisdom of this saying. Yet, I suspect one day I’ll look back and marvel at how quickly it all flew by.
I was never a math whiz, but I could hold my own. So none of the obvious statements I faced during those early days of motherhood surprised me. Mostly, I took them as small gestures of acknowledgment for the hard work we were putting in. However, the next time I encounter a mother with three under three, I’ll likely just hand her a Starbucks gift card and keep my musings to myself.
For more insights on navigating the world of parenthood, you can check out our post on the Impregnator at Home Insemination Kit, where you’ll find valuable information. For a deeper understanding of personalizing your home insemination journey, Intracervical Insemination offers expert advice. If you’re expecting, the March of Dimes is an excellent resource for pregnancy guidance.
In summary, while managing three children under three can feel overwhelming, it’s a unique journey filled with love and challenges. Embrace the chaos, because before you know it, those long days will turn into fleeting years.