Being a Mom of Three : How My First 10 Days Have Been
[Our 7-day-old Brie. Lucky to have caught her smiling away! =)]
Now that I have a newborn baby PLUS two older kids to care for everyday, three common questions I usually get from people are :
>> How are you coping so far?
>> Are the big sister (7yo) and big brother (4.5yo) loving towards the baby?
>> Do the elder kids help out?
…
And … here are my replies =)
>> How are you coping so far?
First of all, I’m SO very thankful that Baby Brie was born on the exact day as when Wilson’s parents arrived in Singapore. Call it, perfect timing! (I personally believe that it’s God’s grace and His perfect timing for us. I’m constantly amazed at how God works wonderfully in our life!)
My Father-in-law was here for 3 days, but my Mom-in-law stayed for 10 days, ie. She’s leaving for Jakarta TOMORROW.
[My Mom-in-law has been a HUGE help in cooking food for us all everyday, doing the grocery and ironing our clothes. Can’t thank her enough!]
So, to answer the question, I’d say … yep, I’ve been coping okay =) I’ve been eating a lot too! (read: constantly feeling hungry as I’m exclusively breastfeeding baby Brie)
Am thankful for my overall good health too!
BUT.
I must say, REALITY will officially start tomorrow.
No MIL, no extra help from families.
Just us.
So, err … I’ll keep you updated on how things go =)
[Come and join me on Facebook. I share and post updates there everyday =)]
…
>> Are the big sister (7yo) and big brother (4.5yo) loving towards the baby?
YES, they are.
They have been VERY loving towards the baby.
They want to carry the baby, they’d ‘sayang-sayang’ the baby. They’d hum or sing. Vai showers Brie with kisses on the cheek. They’d want to push the pram.
It’s really sweet.
[Off to find a spot to sunbathe Brie, while the kids entertain themselves at the playground, with their scooter or bike]
…
>> Do the elder kids help out?
Now this is a tougher question to answer.
Because as much as they love their little baby sister, they ARE kids.
Kids with wants and demands.
And when their demands or requests are not met, I need to be ready to face these potential scenarios everyday :
– Tantrums
– Complaints
– Minutes of whining
– Rude talkbacks
– Unhappy faces and attitudes
Well, I find that THIS is the tougher part of having a newborn and 2 elder kids.
To me, it’s not so much about caring for the newborn and 2 elder kids. It’s about handling the attitudes and demands of the two elder ones that’s more challenging.
And, everyday, I’m learning to still stay calm while coping and addressing challenging episodes as patiently and wisely as I can possibly can.
It’s hard work!
[Good thing such episodes come and go, and sweet moments do outweigh challenging ones!]
…
So. That’s how my first 10 days of being a Mom of three is like.
More or less =)
Will share more with you soon. Stay tuned.
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Oops half way through the previous post I hit the post button by mistake. When ppl talk about how the took care of their health during confinement I feel very guilty to have overlooked about my health. At that time raising my little one was my top priority than anything else.
Btw
I guess u were discussing about confinement do’s and dont’s and I thought I can say my point of view here. After I delivered my dd my first child my mom was here in SG less than a mth only.luckily mine was a normal delivery.. I was on my own just like you and Hubby out for work and travels too. In this kind of situation how can we stay still on bed, don’t touch water, eat only confinement food, walk slowly, etc etc. I think though it’s good to follow some of the rules it becomes practically impossible to stick to all those rules when we are alone with no helper or elderly ppl around. I don’t know if all that is a myth or not. In my case I was on my toes from the day one. It was very challenging and went thru difficult moments too but has learnt to over come over the yrs
I am a mother of 3 – 9 yrs, 8yrs and 1 yr. Though they said it shd be easier with 2 older kids to help out, but I think it does not make things any less easier. Need to remind myself not to expect too much from #1 and #2, and yet I cannot help snapping at them when they test my patience. And I have to keep reminding myself to be considerate of #1 and #2 feeling but I think at times I neglect them. How I wish I can declare a special day for each of time every week, so that I can dedicate myself to them solely for that day. But with no helper, and a husband who is traveling frequently, time is a luxury. The best part of the day, is nighttime when the chores are done..and we will settle down at the living room and start to chat and talk or snack over TV times. Hopefully, the kids will grow up and understand this is what Family is all about..good and bad, end of the day, we will still find time for one another.
Hi Priscilla,
Thanks for sharing … really appreciate your encouragement and the realistic insights into the life of a mom of three!
After I read your message, I turned and looked at my hubby and said, ‘I somehow much prefer to read such notes that tell me how challenging things can realistically get and how we can overcome it … than just receiving notes telling me how I can do it.’ I guess, the latter ‘simplifies’ the reality a little ?
God is always good, in challenging times, in good times, in every minutes of our day. My first 3-6 mths with a NB and 2 older kids were the toughest. We went through quite a number of family tragedy in the 1st 6 mths after Lara was born, some I have never revealed on blog, and it’s God’s grace and faith alone that saw us through. Statistics have shown having a new baby is one of the key stress factors in any families, and I believe it is. Just take every day as it come, a good day will remember, a not so good day will pass, start again the next day, kids will grow and as a mum you will grow with the changes too, becoming more adaptable, more matured and sometimes laugh at the bad days you have. I have certainly grown + aged, haha, but I like having my kids! And my NB not so long ago is turning 2 this weekend, how time flies! Enjoy the time with Brie and her 2 very gorgeous siblings : )