Emotional About #3

[MomInNJ]

Hi all -

I am a working mom (mid-30's) of 2 wonderful kids, a 5 year old boy and 2 year old girl. My husband and I discussed growing our family by one more and we were both in agreement. Well, I think I am pregnant with #3! Very early - I have not even taken a test, but my body definitely knows the symptoms by now.

My issue is that instead of being happy, I have been doing a lot of crying and wondering how we will handle another child. Will I be able to juggle? Will my 2 children adapt to another sibling? Will I be able to go back to work again (although we discussed this and I would be OK not going back...being a SAHM.) Can we survive on 1 income?, Should we have just settled with the 2 we have? I barely have time to clean house/shop now, how will I be able to do it all with one more? How much hard will it be to travel, go on vacation with 3 kids versus 2?...etc...

Are these types of thoughts normal? I did not react this way with my first 2. And the funny thing is, I was so postive about this all while we were trying to get pregnant with #3. But now that reality has hit, I am having major second thoughts.

Have any of you moms and/or dads experienced such emotions? I'd appreciate any feedback you may have!

Thanks in advance and I look forward to chatting with you all on all sorts of topics!

[ktejmommy]

You say you'd been trying for #3.. but do you think you got pregnant faster than you thought you would? Or faster than you were ready for? Sometimes just being ready to try - because trying can take a while - you're not necessarily ready for the "blow" of actually getting pregnant. If you are pregnant, your hormones are raging too... HUGE part of your emotions right now.
Baby #3 usually does require a little more thought and preperation than #1 or #2. "Base line" (for lack of a better term) anything is made for a family of 4. ie - 3 bdr homes, cars.. if you only have a car or truck, you're probably thinking about a van or suv to fit everyone comfortably... etc. Material items, I suppose could cause some stress.
If you're worried about adding another kid to the crazy mix of your home already - worry not! You're used to juggling 2.. adding another one isn't going to be too difficult. Get into a daily routine, if you aren't already, and you'll do fine. You wanted this baby and you'll love this baby.. and on the day this baby's born (if not hopefully before) You'll be very happy with your decision.

[lovin3]

I think that I can agree with the idea that actually having three is easier to do when the time comes than you think while pregnant. I'm 6 weeks away from having number 3 and I'm more anxious to see how life works out with this one than either of my first two. I'm younger (almost 25) with a 3yo and a 15mo. I'm fortunate enough to be home (I have a nanny/daycare gig) for the most part, but I'm anxiously awaiting the day I can be a SAHM. For us, we got pregnant the first time we stopped not trying. I was ready to be pregnant again, but now that things are getting closer, I'm very anxious to see how everything will work out. I certainly don't have any regrets, but I sometimes wonder if I was a little too selfish with wanting another for our circumstances and my desire to be a SAHM.

Try to keep positive and remember that everything will work out. Sure, there will be crazy days, but the love you will have for your child and the joy that they will bring you certainly outway everything else. You are definitely not alone. I don't think you can make a mistake wanting another child (with few exceptions), and I'm sure you'll come to accept this pregnancy soon enough and be able to enjoy it and your new addition when the time comes. Best of luck to you.