Life With 3 Under 3

Sometimes I have to remind myself that I’m finding this parenting thing difficult because it IS difficult.

Few people have twins. Even fewer have 3 under 3. This is not the norm.

Evey time I go out someone comments, “you’ve got your hands full!”

Yes, I do (thanks for letting me know – I hadn’t noticed!).

There’s a lot of total and utter chaos and me running around muttering/shouting how I’m “sick of this shit”, but overall I kind of love it.

(Which is easy to say when they’re all asleep. Ask me again tomorrow 😂)

It’s adorable,

wild,

and messy.

It’s my life.

#day17 #30daychallenge

Going Montessori

Those of you who know me know I will be homeschooling my children. So I’ve done a lot of research on education and different educational pedagogies.

My favourite is Montessori.

But it’s more than just an educational pedagogy. It’s a whole way of life. A whole different way of looking at child development, and subsequently a whole different way of treating the child.

Maria Montessori believed that children should be led, not taught. Directed, not instructed. That the child is a whole human being and should be treated as such.

“Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed.”

And, well, here are my 9-month-olds drinking from an open cup.

And my 2 year old is currently helping Daddy to cook. Competently. With real knives (his knives are safety knives).

It’s amazing what babies and children can do when given the opportunity.

We’re not 100% Montessori by any stretch of the imagination (for a start, those are not chairs that they can get in and out of by themselves) but I just love the underlying philosophy and implement as much of it as I can.

I used to think it sounded stressful, but honestly it’s way less stressful than saying “no” all the time and dealing with the resulting tantrum.

Plus, he can prepare his own snack.

Win-win.

#day12 #30daychallenge

Touched Out

Caide is so unbe-freaking-lievably high needs. He always has been. From the moment he was born he has wanted held. 2y 7m later and he is still always right next to me. He has graduated from “always under my feet” to “always right up my arsehole”.

And the constant demands.

“Mummy read it.”

“Mummy help me.”

“What you doing Mummy?”

“What’s this called Mummy?”

“Mummy…

Mummy…

Mummy…”

The instant I’m not paying attention to him he does something he knows he shouldn’t do. I have to be paying attention to him every. second. of. the. day.

Its so draining.

Linden is also going through a clingy phase. I have one or the other or both on me at all times and it’s making me want to crawl out of my own skin.

I am so touched out.

So here is me, hiding under a blanket.

#day8of30 #30daychallenge

9 months old!

I’ve had 9 months with these adorable creatures already.

It doesn’t seem all that long ago they were this size.

But it also feels like a lifetime ago. They’ve just fit into this family so perfectly it’s like they’ve always been here.

Such a different experience this time around than it was with Caide. Despite there being two of them it’s been much easier. Is that because I (kinda) knew what I was doing this time round? Is it because I’m on medication for my anxiety and didn’t develop PPD this time? Is it just because they are much easier babies? I’ve no idea, probably a combination of all three.

But I’ve actually been enjoying it.

I went into the 2nd baby thing expecting to simply “get through” the first year. When I found out it was twins I wasn’t sure I was going to even manage that. I’ve certainly not “enjoyed every second” because that’s bullshit, but overall yes.

I’ve enjoyed it.

That pic is terrible quality but I love it.

#day7of30 #30daychallenge