Pros and Cons of Having a Third Child

Having a single child in the family seems relatively easy; two, it makes for good company, but three- it might turn into your worst nightmare. Or it won’t. “Should I have a third child?” is what you may think. It’s a big decision that can bring both excitement and worry.

Bringing another baby into the family can be wonderful but comes with challenges. In this article, we’ll talk about what it’s like to have a third child. If you’re curious and want to know what it feels like, we have you covered. Let’s delve into the pros and cons as we explore some lifestyle changes you’ll experience after you welcome that third member. Here’s to having a third child at 35 and beyond.

What Life Changes Can You Anticipate Once You Have a Third Child?

Your whole world changes when you have a third baby. Okay, we don’t want to sound so dramatic, but yes – you’ll have more responsibilities. Have a third baby or not, here’s what you can expect with three or more kids in the house:

1. You Have More Household Chores

From doing the dishes to laundry, grocery shopping, and cleaning the house, your household chores rack up in the numbers department. Having a third child is like signing up for a Spartan Warrior Bootcamp, and hey – it’s not easy.

2. Your Kids Get More Attention

If you’re a young parent considering having a third child, here’s the newsflash – you may go outside the picture. If your other two children are young and your third one is five or below, you’ll have to give the younger one more attention. The other two may notice that and want a piece each, too.

3. Movie Nights Aren’t the Same

Have two kids fought out on which movie to watch? Your third child will be their tie-breaker and help decide what title gets played.

4. Your House Gets Noisy

You might have it easy if your younger kids are quiet or shy. But sometimes, having a third child may throw things out of the loop and be bustling with excitement. This means more noise, crying, screaming, and head-scratching. But it also means you get your equal shares of smiles, laughter, and those adorable faces that make hearts melt.

5. More Food, More Supplies

It’s obvious. Having three kids in the house equals more food and more supplies. This also means financially, you might get tight if you haven’t planned it out. Look at your finances and see if you can afford to have another child in the house. We’re not mean, just realistic. The economy you live in matters too – having a third child in India might be cheaper than having one in places like the US or the UK.

6. Asking for Help

Having three kids to take care of equals more responsibility. The most significant lifestyle change would be asking for help. Sometimes, parents need help juggling responsibilities and hesitate to ask for help when things go wrong. But you’ll find yourself not waiting and will ask for help from family and friends. It’s just life.

7. Added Responsibility

Having a third child does equal more responsibility or an increase in it. You’re caring for, sheltering, and feeding another human being. You’ll find yourself budgeting more aggressively and being mindful of the things you spend money on. For example, you might cut out cable and use the internet for shows instead of blowing money there. Or you may realise saying goodbye to that Netflix subscription you never use.

8. Time Crunches

Yes. Your life will be busy. If you’ve been getting a lot of free time on your hands, you won’t find that to be the case after your third. You’ll see your time slipping away and your clock ticking. But it’s not always the case when you have friends and relatives for the added support.

What Are the Pros of Having the Third Baby?

Here are a few pros of having a third baby:

1. There’s Energy in the House

If your home is waning or seeming too quiet with just two kids, having a third one may do the trick. Sometimes, this energy becomes infectious, and life goes from dull to fun. Moms can vouch for this one.

2. Your House Stays Guarded

When you teach your kids to trust each other and watch their backs, you’ll find that they care for each other and stay close. There’s a close bond that forms, and your house feels protected. You’ll notice the siblings supervising and watching the younger ones back.

3. More Pizza Nights

Because, hey – who doesn’t love pizza? We’re serious about this. And ordering one pie won’t cut it; you’ll need four to five pies because it’ll be a feast.

4. You Share Responsibility

Yes, it does get busy in the initial years, but once your kids start understanding and grow older, around seven to ten, they might ask for more responsibilities. We’ve seen four-year-olds folding clothes and seven-year-olds taking out the trash. So yes, your work gets cut out a bit, not just as a bonus side effect. This pro isn’t always the case for every household, though.

5. You Have More Fun

They say the more, the merrier: it’s right in this case. You’ll have a lot of fun when it comes to visiting amusement parks, eating out, and celebrating birthday parties in style. Plus, your kids never feel lonely, and you don’t have to hunt for play-dates since they’re like friends in the house. It’s an incredible lifestyle once you make it work.

6. Enhanced Social Skills

Another child means another unique personality, interests, and perspectives added to the family. Growing up with multiple siblings can enhance a child’s social skills, teaching them valuable lessons in sharing, cooperation, and conflict resolution from a young age.

7. Support System

As children grow older, having siblings provides a valuable support system. They share experiences, offer advice, and provide emotional support, fostering a sense of belonging.

What Are the Cons of Having the Third Baby?

Everything’s not glittery or sunshine and rainbows when it comes to having a third baby. Here are some of the downsides or cons of it:

1. Me Time? More Like We Time

If you get busy attending to a gassy baby or finding out that young ones need more pasta ASAP, you won’t reach the me-time you want. Self-care is essential since you wish to exercise, meditate and stay your best day by day. But sometimes, life gets in the way, and you won’t be able to make the time for that.

In some cases, You might even have to stop working and put in more hours for mom time. Being a stay-at-home mom (or dad) and looking after your kids isn’t something some parents prefer, but it’s a sacrifice that becomes necessary.

2. Your Sleep Schedules Goes Out of the Window

Yes, it does. If you have a third child screaming at 2 am asking for more food, guess who will do that? It’s parenting 101, but taken to another stage. Get ready to take more naps and say goodbye to long hours of snoozes.

3. It Gets More Stressful

According to a Mom Survey at Today, research says that having a third child is more stressful than two or four because of science. And if you like numbers, you’re welcome.

What sort of stress? Siblings fighting, maybe kids receiving complaints from school and the endless parent-teacher meetings. Also, you’ll have to pack their lunches and check if they return on time before curfew (depending on where you live).

4. Lack of Homely Space

This isn’t the case with every household, but if your apartment is cramped or has less room, having a third kid might be a bad idea. Kids love space and the freedom to move and do things however they want. Don’t give them that because you’re financially tight, and they won’t understand. Because kids will be kids, and that’s how it is.

5. Sharing Stuff

If you love to go out shopping with your kids, you’ll find that you can’t hold three hands. It feels sad, but one of your kids must compromise. The same goes for video games. Your kids may fight over who gets to play the video game, and you might witness some home wars in action. But don’t worry, it’s fun, especially if you like pillow fights.

6. Schedule Scramble

Managing multiple children’s schedules, activities, and needs can be logistically demanding, requiring careful coordination and organisation to ensure that each child’s needs are met.

7. Budget Battles

Expanding the family can significantly strain finances, as parents must contend with increased expenses related to childcare, education, and everyday necessities for an additional child.

FAQs

1. What should be the age gap for a third child?

The ideal age gap for a third child varies greatly depending on factors such as the parent’s age, health, financial situation, and personal goals. Some families prefer a smaller age gap to have children close in age, potentially easing the parenting workload. In contrast, others may opt for a more significant age gap to allow more time to focus on each child individually. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, and the decision should be based on what works best for the specific family dynamics and needs.

2. Is 3rd pregnancy harder?

The experience of a third pregnancy can vary greatly among individuals. While some may find it more challenging due to factors such as increased fatigue or balancing the needs of older children, others may find it easy. Factors such as maternal age, overall health, support system, and previous pregnancy experiences can all influence how difficult or manageable a third pregnancy may be for an individual.

3. How can parents maintain a healthy work-life balance with three or more children?

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance with three or more children requires careful planning, communication, and prioritisation. Parents must establish clear boundaries between work and family time, ensuring that both aspects of their lives receive the attention they deserve. Sharing parenting responsibilities with a partner can help distribute the workload and create opportunities for both parents to be involved in their children’s lives. Being adaptable and willing to adjust routines and plans as needed is key to maintaining balance within the family dynamic.

They say having a third child can change your life, and although we believe that’s true, we certainly don’t think of falling for the hype. Having a third child will give you more responsibility and joy in odd proportions. But it’s about what works for you and your partner.

If you have what it takes to take life on ahead, go for it. Otherwise, be happy with two kids and bring up the subject later when the time is ripe. That’s all we have to say, or our three favourite words: keep it realistic.

Also Read:

Terrible Reasons to Have a Baby
Staying Lovers While Raising Kids
Why the Arrival of Second Child is Amazing
Advantages and Disadvantages of Having One Child

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