People are always asking for advice from Moms with older multiples. Here's a piece of advice that I think saved my sanity when the girls were little.
Take your children out by yourself. Often.

I know many MoMs who wait until their kids are 2 or 3 before they start taking their kids anywhere and by that point it's a disaster. Get into the habit of taking your kiddos out by yourself at least 2-3 times a week. Take them to the dr. by yourself. Take them to the grocery by yourself (even if it's just to get a gallon of milk). Take them through the drive-thru at McDonald's. Just something.

When my trio were 2 and my oldest was 5 I took them to Turks and Caicos. BY MYSELF. Negotiated the Atlanta airport BY MYSELF. If I hadn't taken them everywhere myself I could have never accomplished this. You will save your sanity if you can take your kids to playdates, the zoo, even the mini-mart. Sometimes that quick drive through McDonald's for 10 minutes is a sanity saver.

I'm often amazed when I talk to MoMs who say they couldn't possibly take their kids anywhere by themselves. Including a MoM whose kids are 5 and she has NEVER taken them anywhere by herself! Yes you kids will cry. Yes people will stare. Get over it and do it anyway. Having 3 of the same age is NOT an excuse to never do anything ever.

There's my two cents.

Kristina
divorced MOM
Megan 7/26/00 Blessed Adoption
Abigail, Brigid, Caroline 6/28/03 IVF

www.tripletsplus1.blogspot.com

you inspire me....

Janet
G - 12/07 35 weeks
GGG-04/10 30 weeks

I have to agree. My trio is almost 2 1/2 and I go everywhere with them, by myself. I started when they first got home from the hospital. I was very careful where I did take them because of RSV season but I did take them. It helps them know how to behave and it lets you know that it can be done.

i need a little "thumbs up" icon here.

Pam
Identical BBB triplets born 12/4/07 at 33w2d
http://www.pyjammy.com
New Orleans triplets: http://www.nolatripletsandmore.com/

"like"

I totally agree and will add one. Take your kids out to eat. Some people wait forever because they are nervous about it and then wonder why their kids don't know how to behave at restaurants. They aren't going to learn if you don't take them. We went to a restaurant for the for the first time just before they turned one and never stopped. Just do family friendly places and tip well because there is likely to be a big mess on the floor. Fast food places are good for learning how to behave in public too. I would say in the 4.5 years that we have been taking the kids out to eat, there have only been a few times that they have been badly behaved and every kid is going to do that once in a while.

I carried plastic placemats that stuck to the tables and other kid friendly eating supplies in my diaper bag for a couple of years.

Lori

http://yesidohavemyhandsfull.blogspot.com/

I think that's great advice. I would like to add that I didn't do this all the time. But I feel like I did it enough to build some confidence. I refer to my 3 as my own little nature vs. nurture experiment because although all 3 are given the same things and treatment they are very different. One of mine is a bit more tantrum-y in public. You just have to plan and pack for everything that might happen.

So I guess my advice is to do what works for you. Don't worry what supertriplet mom down the street is doing, do what works for you. For us, dinner at 2 yrs old in a restaurant was so stressful for us and them, why would we pay to do that!? We tried breakfast instead and the kids love it. So what's good for one isn't always gonna work for you.

The gym childcare is always a win-win situation, but at 18 mo my 3 would cry (well, one would especially) but I kept going (occasionally) and then they all ended up being good.

Lisa
GGB born 12/26/08 @ 34 weeks
4 lb 14 oz
4 lb 12 oz
4 lb 5 oz

Yes, do what works for you. I didn't get out much myself with the kids until they were 2 or so. I did travel with them alone (in the midst of moving) and took them to the doctor alone, drove around, and took walks with them alone. My kids only went to restaurants a few times until we discovered my son's life-threatening food allergies at 18 mos. No more restaurants. I also have a child with super severe sensory issues who, as a toddler, only screamed her buns off when out and about. I did what I could do.

Those same kids are extraordinarily well behaved 6-year-olds today, and have always been well-behaved at home and in public. Not getting them out and about by myself before the age of 2 really just didn't affect how they behaved in public.

Now, I do agree with your advice and believe that if you can, you should get out, if only for a walk or drive! It will help your confidence and sanity, which goes a long way.

Nik
GBG triplets born 4/2/05
30w5d
www.thebestthingscomein3.blogspot.com

Great point! I'd go crazy if I always stayed in with mine and like the original poster, have gone out with them since they were infants. Of course I always have a few other 'add ons' along! The most challenging was when the triplets and twins were all under age five, but even then we hit the road, neighborhood, beach, summer festivals, etc. with them ALL in tow. Once you get used to being a spectacle, it just rolls right off...now I actually enjoy it! One of my favorite memories is of pulling all five of them in the same choo choo wagon...triplets in their own cars and the twins together in a fourth car. That made the local newspaper once!

We also take them out to eat but I admit to bringing my DH along for that one! He's my partner in all senses of the word and together we have this thing licked most days!

I still get the 'I don't know how you do it' comment, but it's second nature at this point. You just do what works for you and you can surprise yourself by trying. God gave you multiples for a reason; you obviously made the grade when it comes to handling them.

Ellyn and the lucky 13!





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