It's definitely easier to parent the third time around. You know what to expect the third time, you've pretty much seen it all before. It is more challenging in that there are three little people who need you, but I definitely feel like I've got a handle on things.
Like for instance, Danielle has started throwing some tantrums. Not a lot... yet. But they are happening. As the seasoned parent I am, I know to ignore them and I easily can. Not like with the first child, when it was harder to igore her. Unfortunately for me, having the large age gap that we did may prove to offer it's own challenges. Danielle threw a fit the other day and both big kids were trying to calm her down. I kept telling them to ignore her and leave her alone, but it was not something they wanted to do. I told Doug we'll have to sit them down and explain the importance of ignoring her when she's acting like that or the big kids will undo all that we're doing right.
Another example is Danielle talking. She is talking a lot more, but obviously doesn't say everything right initially. An example is that a week or so ago, she started saying "princess" but she said it "pee ah". Gracie latched right onto the Pee Ah pronunciation and was saying it that way too and I had to remind her that she should say it right so Danielle learns to say it right. Now just a week later, Danielle says something that sounds very much like "princess" and not at all like "pee ah". Danielle calls Doug's parents "Ma" and "Pa", but we all keep referring to them as Grandma and Grandpa, and we know she'll be saying it right soon enough.
Things are constantly busy and I never feel like I have enough time, but things are also really good. I think we're all happy that our last baby is growing up and we're looking forward to putting the baby stage behind us.
