Can i really look after three one year olds???

[Bounce123]

Hello All, i could really really do with some advice. I am nearly registered and i have had two people approach me to look after thier Son's who will be turning 1 shortly. My Son is the same age, therefore i will be looking after three one year old boys. Do you think this is doable or am i setting myself up for failure? I know that in the long term having three children the same age would be ideal for planning activites and outing etc but i'm worried that the first six months will prove too much.

I could really do with some advice. Has anyone else looked after a number of children at this age????

Thank you so much in advance xx

[littletreasures]

I've done it and its really hard work. Trying to get them all fed at the same time, nappy changes etc.

You will also need a triple buggy which are hard to push.

I was lucky as I had teacher's children, so I knew I would have a break after 6 weeks. I did it for 9 months and was pleased when 2 of them left. One moved away and the other was my niece and I discussed with my brother that I didn't feel like her Auntie anymore, so they moved her to a childminder near where they lived as she would be going anyway to go to preschool.

Also, your son to suddenly have to share you with 2 others who are just as demanding as him.

Good luck with what you decide

[snufflepuff]

I've done it. It's hard work but not impossible. Getting out and about was the only issue for me really- I used a double buggy with a buggy board- a seat type so the LO could sit on it rather than having to stand- but then one of mine was old enough to use a buggy board, if all three are only just turning one you will need a triple.
Otherwise it was okay- they all got on well, had similar interests, and even similar routines so they often all slept at the same time giving me a little break!!!

[Lear]

I haven't done it so can't give you any advice from my experience but as someone mentioned, the main factor for me would be getting out and about. Are they both full time? If not you might have to purchase both a double and a triple buggy.

[It's a small world]

I will soon be having 2 1yr olds 2 days a week. My concern is getting my own ds into nursery in the afternoon as I will under no circumstances leave them outside with a nursery nurse whilst I take my own son in. I know one parent wont mind but the other I think will. So I will have to put them in a buggy walk to nursery take them out help ds get ready put them back in buggy back home. After school take both out again. luckily one leaves me at school so only one with me to collect ds at hometime.

Ive been doing this job 2 years and its the first time I will have 2 young babies at the same time (and only for one day at that) and Im dreading it. What Im trying to say is that even though its tempting and nice that theyre all the same age and grow up together etc it is alot of work especially whilst you will be trying to establish yourself as a new minder and getting used to all the paperwork.

Im not saying you wont cope just that I think it will be very hard on you like mentioned previously nappies, feeding going out etc. Whatever you decide make sure its the right one and not just because it will fill spaces you need to think how it will effect your own family . What if one of the babies or both are clingy etc...maybe think of different scenarios and see how you think you would deal with them and see if that helps.. hth ..:thumbsup:

[miffy]

Three one year olds sounds like very hard work :panic:

Miffy xx

[onceinabluemoon]

I have and can honestly say it's very hard work. As a new minder you may be better off learning the ropes so to speak before you take on too much but it's your choice.

They rarely sleep at the same time, they rarely need changing at the same time and they rarely want to eat at the same time. You Do Not Stop! :laughing:

When you go to the park you can guarantee that they will run off in different directions - which one do you chase? :idea:

You'll need a good triple, price wise you're looking at around 300 to 500 quid second hand. :panic: I recommend the ABC Everest as it converts from a double to a triple and it relatively easy to push (compare with other triples)

Where will they all sleep? Not a problem if they all have separate nap times but if they all want to go down together it can be hard.

On the plus side they will all be at roughly the same developmental stage which means that activities are easier to plan and it's easier to keep them safe at home in some ways (no lego bricks etc floating around from older ones) but harder in others (need eyes in the back of your head, lol!)

It's not impossible and if you have loads of energy go for it, BUT if you're the sort of person who likes to sit down for lunch and have a cuppa mid morning and mid afternoon maybe think about it carefully. xx

[Mouse]

I often have 3 one year olds, though admittedly, they're not all just 1 (ie. a 10mth old, a 12mth old & a 19mth old).

But I don't do it full time. That would be hard work! It takes a lot of organising, but I'm so used to looking after babies that everything is set up for that age group.

You have to think about how you will feed them all at the same time, where they will all sleep, how you could comfort them all at once, how you will get out & about and how you would evacuate them all in an emergency.

[Tam's Tribe]

Hi

I had two x 1 yrs olds for 3 days a week (they are now 2 yrs old) and it was hard work . . . well it was hard for about 6 months and then it became easier . . . I found routine helped and so did teaching them to feed themselves, etc. And one of those days I had (with a variation) 2 x 1 yrs olds and 2 x 2 year olds . . . you certainly earn your money :laughing:

But it could be done if you have the right equipment such as a triple buggy and it wont be forever!!!

Good luck if you decide to do it . . . oh and as for routine, I planned a nap time where all four were sleeping at the same time so I could recharge :thumbsup:

[Penny1959]

I have had 3 one year olds and it was not too bad - just needed to be organised

However now they are 18month olds (and joined by a 15m old on Monday and a almost 2 yr old on Tues and Wednesday ) thet are hard work as all going off in different directions and all thinking they are the most important person in the world and so hitting, pushing, biting and SCREAMING to try and have whatever they want - the minute they want it.

I know it is all very appropriate for their stage of development - but I sure hope the grow out of it soon as it is exhusting

Penny :)

[Chimps Childminding]

I think it would depend on how often you will have all 3? I certainly wouldn't want to do every day :eek: I have 2 x 8 month olds just starting. At present I have one of them on a Tuesday and one Wednesday and Thursday, but from september when the second mum goes back to work I will have both of them on a Thursday. The one I currently have 2 days is really hard work, screams everytime I put him down, leave the room etc. (ok he has only been here 2 weeks so hoping it improves :rolleyes: ) I am not sure I will be able to cope with 2 never mind 3 especially if you have one like mine!!

[khlwomitchell]

[QUOTE=My concern is getting my own ds into nursery in the afternoon as I will under no circumstances leave them outside with a nursery nurse whilst I take my own son in. :[/QUOTE]

bit of an oversight that a nursery has no provision for buggys on premises?!
My local one is tiny but has a fence around then another playarea fence so can bring all the kids to the door where they are let out and in. sound hard!

On the plus side of three 1yrs totally cute!! toddling together and your son will have best friends ever, plus, afterlunch nap time will be bliss!
Down side, transporting in buggy, but then again i am looking for a new one so will have 9mth old, my son who is 18mth and potentially a little one so i'd be in the same boat. maybe for the first few weeks/mths do morning trips to groups with minimal walking?
good luck

[francinejayne]

my CM friend is in this situation 1 day a week (her DS is 13 months, 1st mindee is 13 months also and 2nd mindee is 11 months) She absolutely dreads Mondays and regrets taking them all on! She sometimes does not get out an about due to it being too difficult getting them all ready and in the same routine etc. One of them is a screamer which makes it worse, and tends to set the other 2 off!

She is seriously considering giving notice to one of the children.

I have had 2 12 month olds plus my son who was 24 months at the time - I wouldn't like to do that again! It can be VERY demanding!

I now have my DS who is 40 months old, mindee J is 2 months and mindee M is 14 months old - it is lovely! For me, enjoying my job is the most important thing.

[It's a small world]

bit of an oversight that a nursery has no provision for buggys on premises?!
My local one is tiny but has a fence around then another playarea fence so can bring all the kids to the door where they are let out and in. sound hard!

On the plus side of three 1yrs totally cute!! toddling together and your son will have best friends ever, plus, afterlunch nap time will be bliss!
Down side, transporting in buggy, but then again i am looking for a new one so will have 9mth old, my son who is 18mth and potentially a little one so i'd be in the same boat. maybe for the first few weeks/mths do morning trips to groups with minimal walking?
good luck

The nursery is attached to the school so in a fenced area , however i have to take ds into nursery and help him with his pumps n check he's ok etc then leave. Was chatting to a parent the other week who said they wouldn't be pleased if their cm left their child outside ... Hopefully one on them will be walking soon making it easier lol x

[Stormy]

I have done it and found it exhausting, my biggest challenge was getting out and about, the bulk of the pushchair really flared up my repetitive strain.
Mine didnt sleep well either, one was a screamer and when they woke up would scream and this was sometimes after only 30 mins, then all three would be awake and grumpy.
I would consider gaining a bit more experience first before you take it on and see how your own child copes sharing his mummy. :)

[marleymoo]

Hello All, i could really really do with some advice. I am nearly registered and i have had two people approach me to look after thier Son's who will be turning 1 shortly. My Son is the same age, therefore i will be looking after three one year old boys. Do you think this is doable or am i setting myself up for failure? I know that in the long term having three children the same age would be ideal for planning activites and outing etc but i'm worried that the first six months will prove too much.

I could really do with some advice. Has anyone else looked after a number of children at this age????

Thank you so much in advance xx

uh-oh, nightmare! you are an extremely brave woman!

[Carrie1983]

I am personally umming and ahhing about even having 3 under 5 to be honest. My own daughter is 16 months and will be 17 months when I start minding my new ft mindee next month. The new mindee is another girl and will be 20 months. I know how much of a handful (in a nice way!) my own daughter is, and I know what rascals the two of them are together. To add in an under one or even another toddler, to the mix, just boggles my brain.

My full timer comes with a brother who is starting school this year, so he will be part time, and I have the possibility of some other school children, but although the extra income would be good, I just don't know if another under 5 would be practical. Pushchairs, car seats, getting out and about. This from someone who is used to teaching a class full of little children! Haha!

[missymood]

Not for me:panic:

If you have bags of energy and room for them then go for it.

Only thing that stands out is getting them all out the door safely and trying to keep an eye on them all at toddler group as it's very hard work looking after 3 anyway let alone this little

[khlwomitchell]

I am personally umming and ahhing about even having 3 under 5 to be honest. My own daughter is 16 months and will be 17 months when I start minding my new ft mindee next month. The new mindee is another girl and will be 20 months. I know how much of a handful (in a nice way!) my own daughter is, and I know what rascals the two of them are together. To add in an under one or even another toddler, to the mix, just boggles my brain.

My full timer comes with a brother who is starting school this year, so he will be part time, and I have the possibility of some other school children, but although the extra income would be good, I just don't know if another under 5 would be practical. Pushchairs, car seats, getting out and about. This from someone who is used to teaching a class full of little children! Haha!

My eldest is five and my other two 1 and 3, thats before i add in my 8mth old minded baby! Glutton for punishment!!!

[Carrie1983]

My eldest is five and my other two 1 and 3, thats before i add in my 8mth old minded baby! Glutton for punishment!!!

Teehee! Another well-established minder in the area said I'd be fine to have 3 under 5 and they'd get on well together. I've had 3 6 and under when I was nannying, but the 6 year old was at school. A part of me thought she said that tome because she doesn't want me to eat into her after-schoolers, which is what she specialises in. LOL!

I will see how I feel when I'm set up I suppose. My little girl and the new one I have coming, are mischievious, but they're not naughty - just cheeky.

[*daisychain*]

I'm in a similar situation and wondering what to do , great help reading the posts, thanks.
I will be interested to see what decision you make.
Good luck