Let me just say this upfront: if one more person calls me Supermom, I might spontaneously combust into a puff of laundry lint and coffee fumes. Being a mom of 3 doesn’t. Let’s just be honest: being a mom of 3 is equal parts joy, exhaustion, and wondering how the heck you lost your coffee for the third time this morning (it’s in the microwave again, by the way).
There’s this myth that once you have three kids, you become some sort of maternal goddess who floats through the day with a smile, grace, and a perfectly timed routine. In reality? I’m just trying not to cry while brushing my teeth with a toddler on my hip and a preschooler asking existential questions at 6:45 a.m.
And no, I’m not Supermom. I’m just outnumbered. Outnumbered by sticky hands, laundry piles, snack requests, and the relentless questions from my five-year-old that leave me Googling “do goldfish sleep” before 8 a.m.
So, let’s break the perfection myth wide open and talk about what being a mom of 3 really looks like—messy, hilarious, overwhelming, and absolutely full of heart.
Let Go of the “Perfect Mom” Pressure
I used to think being a good mom meant having everything figured out. You know—structured routines, perfectly packed lunches, zero screen time, Montessori-level play setups. But let me tell you, being a mom of 3 cured me of that delusion real quick.
Perfection is not only unattainable—it’s unnecessary. My kids don’t need a flawless mother. They need me. Messy bun, yoga pants, overwhelmed brain and all. They need the version of me who shows up, even when she’s tired, overstimulated, and running on whatever was left in yesterday’s cold coffee.
Trying to meet unrealistic expectations doesn’t make us better parents. It just makes us more burned out. I’ve learned to embrace “good enough” with open arms and a side of chocolate.
The Power of Asking for Help
I’ll be the first to admit I used to have a hard time asking for help. I thought needing assistance meant I was failing. But when you’re being a mom of 3, that mindset burns out faster than a scented candle during bedtime routine.
Whether it’s my partner taking the baby while I wrangle the big kids, using a grocery delivery app, or calling in Grandma for backup—it’s not just okay to ask for help, it’s necessary.
And if you need permission to outsource the stuff that makes you scream into your pillow at night, this is it.
🛒 Hack for your sanity: Instacart has saved my sanity more times than I can count. Three-kid grocery trips are chaos—this is the solution.
Embrace “Good Enough” Parenting
One of the most important things I’ve embraced as a mom of three is the idea of “good enough” parenting. Some days the baby naps in a carrier while I referee a game of who-had-it-first. Some days the toddler watches Bluey while I rock the newborn and fold laundry with my feet. Some days, everything is frozen food and meltdowns.
And yet—my kids are safe. They are loved. They laugh. They grow.
That’s enough.
You don’t need Pinterest-worthy meals or picture-perfect routines. You need moments of connection, the ability to apologize when you mess up, and a heck of a lot of grace—for them and for yourself.
🧠 This ADHD-friendly planner has been my anchor. It lets me brain-dump everything from meal plans to medicine schedules to “don’t forget picture day.” Even my three-year-old ADHD daughter is learning to follow her visual calendar.
A Peek Into My Daily Chaos
Being a mom of 3 means learning to roll with unpredictability like it’s your second job. Here’s a real-life rundown of what a not-so-average average day might look like in our home:
Morning:
The baby wakes first, naturally. Then the five-year-old decides now’s the time to ask deep life questions like “What happens if the sun goes out?” Meanwhile, my three-year-old daughter is sprinting through the hallway in a tutu yelling “I’m a dragon!”
By 8:30, we’ve had two outfit changes (me and one kid), three breakfasts, and at least one emotional breakdown over the wrong cup color.
Midday:
I attempt an outing. We go to the library. The baby poops the second we arrive, my three-year-old refuses to leave the car without her Mr. Blanket, and my five-year-old wants to read every single book in the library.
We stay 45 minutes. Honestly? That’s a win.
Afternoon:
Nap time (if you believe in miracles). I use that window to fold laundry, prep dinner, and hide in the bathroom scrolling IG or YouTube for “mom motivation” videos while eating a granola bar I said was “off-limits.”
Evening:
Dinner, baths, books. Somewhere in there, someone spills water, someone cries, and someone climbs into my lap to ask for “just one more hug.”
And honestly? That last one—that’s the part I live for.
My Survival Kit: Productivity and Peace in the Chaos
Let me be clear: I am not organized by nature. But being a mom of 3 forces you to get systems in place, or else drown in toys and missed appointments.
Some things that help me keep my head above water:
- Visual charts and schedules for my ADHD daughter
- Clear storage bins and labels for toy chaos
- Timers for transitions—nothing ends a meltdown like a visual countdown
- Whiteboards in the kitchen to keep track of meals and chore rotations
- Noise-canceling earplugs for when overstimulation peaks
You don’t need a pristine home. You need tools that work for your family and let you function.
Finding the Funny in the Frenzy
If I didn’t laugh, I’d cry. (And sometimes I do both at the same time.)
There’s something deeply therapeutic about leaning into the absurdity of motherhood. I’ve washed the same load of laundry three times because I forgot to dry it. I’ve eaten dinner standing up while holding a baby and answering “but why?” a dozen times. I’ve rocked a baby while peeing. No one prepares you for that level of multitasking.
But being a mom of 3 has also filled my life with belly laughs, spontaneous dance parties, and the kind of love that knocks you over like a tidal wave.
If you’re knee-deep in laundry and low on patience, remember this: You’re not alone. You’re just outnumbered. And that’s okay.
Posts to Keep You Going:
👉 What My Kids Teach Me About Being Myself – The surprising lessons your little humans are giving you every day.
👉 The Invisible Load: What You Don’t See But I Always Carry – A look at the hidden emotional labor of motherhood and why it matters.
Final Thoughts: Being a Mom of 3 Means Letting Go—and Leaning In
You’re not a failure because today was messy. Or loud. Or imperfect. You’re a mom. You’re showing up. And in a world that demands so much of us, that is nothing short of remarkable.
Being a mom of 3 doesn’t require superpowers—it just requires love, resilience, and a whole lot of snacks.
So here’s to you, mama. You’re not Supermom. But you are super loved.
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