My trips are almost 5, 2 girls and a boy, and they are starting to get tired of being around eachother all the time. Anyone have this issue and what is the best way to give them each alone time? My daughter said to the other this morning, "I just want alone time, leave me alone." They share a room, they are in the same class at school, they are always together. Any suggestions?

Mom to bgg triplets born 4/9/05; Owen, Arden, & Morgan

That reminds me of our house a few months ago. Kristin started saying, "Mom, can you get Alison away from me???"

I would say if you can separate them in school (meaning enough classrooms), it sounds like you're at a good transition point. I can tell you that our girls LOVE LOVE LOVE having their own teachers, art projects, experiences... they like having something to tell each other about after school.

Otherwise, I'd give two kids something to do in their room and pull one out to "hang" with mommy and daddy and play or watch a movie. Sometimes just getting them out of the house helps. We throw our kids out in the snow when they get intolerable. And other times we'll pull one aside and let her help cook or do a fun project.

Tonight's "fun" project? Kristin is going to help me make popcorn. Sounds silly, but to them, they think it's the most awesome thing EVER and something special just for them. It takes a whole 3 minutes, but Kristin has been talking about it all afternoon, LOL.

Loren
GGG Jan.2005 @ 28wks

Sweetened Taters - http://sweetenedtaters.blogspot.com

my boys don't seem to be getting tired of each other just yet. however, there are moments when one or more of them seem to end up doing his own thing. during the day i just let them loose with the toys. sometimes they'll play together, and sometimes each kid will play by himself with his own toy. other times one will get a book and read, or another will try to sneak onto the computer, or one will go upstairs to their playroom, or one will check to see what i'm doing, or one will decide to doodle on the erase board and so forth (i only have triplets, but multiple scenarios!).

recently i've been able to take more time to read to them individually. i also try to introduce crafts or activities to all 3, but don't force anyone into doing them, which sometimes allows for alone time for the one that remains. you could also try individual outings, though i know that it's easier said than done.

hth,
el
www.thetriomom.blogspot.com

I'm sure siblings get sick of each other a lot; triplets or not.

You just described our girls' dynamic, but thankfully it's not very often.

There are days when they play together so well and then there are days when they wish they were our only child.

I have one child in particular who needs some extra love so I try to scoop her up and take her to the grocery store or run an errand. Nothing too fun, but having that alone time with me helps her to be sweeter.

Lisa

We have this going on here too. We have GGG and they were all in one room until this winter. I had one dd who was really wanting the independence and space more than the other 2, so we let her move into the 3rd bedroom. Its not a perfect situation, she has to share space with the eliptical and a few odds and ends that have no other space, but she seems happy with it. We let her decorate it and got everyone new bedding and tried to make it a fun exciting change for her. Surprisingly the other 2 have been totally fine with the change so far. This dd also has asked to be in her own classroom next year. So the other 2 will share and she will be alone (there are only 2 sections per grade at this school). We will see how that goes and may alternate who is alone every year if it becomes a problem. We have also been really working harder to do more things with them 1 on 1, that seems to have helped too.

Katie

"

My girls are three and we are already going through that! Can you do individual days out with them? We do this with my girls. I will take one out for a fun day with me every few months. We also do special days and overnights with different family members.

Example:
Issy went hiking with her daddy, Makenna went with her Aunt Sandra to the children's museum, and Issy and I went to the movies.

Or

Issy will spend the night with Nana, Alyssa with Aunt Sandra, and Makenna with me.

It is so great, because they get a break from each other and I get to spend some individual time with them.

Kimberly,
Mom to Isabelle, Alyssa, and Makenna
www.guinntrips.com

Mine are 3, and we definately have that problem from time to time even though they are in seperate classes at preschool. Honestly, I think your DD handled the situation perfectly. She knew she wanted some time herself and said as much. IMO, I actually think that's healthy.

I've taught my boys to say 'I need some space right now' and preschol teaches them to say 'please walk away' when they don't want to be bothered. If one of mine is asking for his brothers to leave him alone, and the other 2 are bugging him, I might suggest he come in the kitchen with me or go in his room with the toys he wants to play with, and ask the A and B to give C some space. If the A and B keep trying to bug C after that, they get in trouble.

IMO, I would much rather my boys have the desire for some 'me time' than not want to try to function without each other.

Jenny
single mom to spontaneous BBB 34w 2d

http://lilypie.com>

Sorry I really can't relate. My triplets have a hard time separating from each other. If one of them has to stay home sick and the others go to daycare they want each other. If we take even one of them to the doctor or anywhere for that matter, they all want to go. I wish I could separate them for outtings, errands, or even sleep overs at grandparents' houses.

I realize this was posted way back in February but it has finally happened in our house too. 2 of hte 3 can usually play well together but when the 3rd one gets involved all hell breaks loose. She has to be in charge, have what the others have (even if she doesn't ever play with it), etc. They are very loving towards each other too and it shows when in preschool. From what the teachers tell me they play very well together at school.

What we have done to get more individual time with them is number a calendar 1,2,3,1,2,3, etc all the way through the month. Each child was then assigned a number and on that day they get to pick special things to do or on weekends get to go to Lowes, Home Depot, Starbucks with Mommy or Daddy. THey also get to pick what they want to make for breakfast and lunch. It really seems to have helped and my bossy girl can understand this system very well!!

Suzan

g/g/b August 21, 2005
my miracle 24 weekers!!!!