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Image courtesy of Megan Smyth
- Megan Smyth, a 35-year-old mother, has been the sole caregiver for her triplet boys for the past 18 months.
- Instilling basic chores in them from an early age has significantly benefited her mental well-being.
- She notes their competitive nature and how they enjoy trying to outshine one another.
This narrative is derived from a discussion with Megan Smyth, mother to three-year-old triplets. It has been edited for brevity and clarity.
Eighteen months ago, I found myself as the only parent to three identical toddler boys—a reality I never anticipated. Their father plays no role in their upbringing.
I have full custody of my sons, who are now three years old. I work four days each week, which barely covers our living expenses—mortgage payments, bills, clothing, and groceries. As you can imagine, finances are tight and managing three lively boys alone is quite draining; much of my time is spent mediating their playful wrestling matches.
One aspect that fills me with pride—and relief—is their growing independence at this age. Since it’s just me handling everything, I’ve made it a priority to teach them self-sufficiency skills early on.
They know where to put dirty clothes and how to set the table
The boys have learned essential routines; they hang up their coats and place shoes on the rack as soon as we return home from daycare. They understand that dirty clothes belong in the laundry basket or washing machine. At dinner time, they each take responsibility for setting their own places at the table by gathering one knife, fork, spoon, plate, and cup each.
Most evenings involve them helping tidy up toys after playtime. They also assist in feeding our pet fish and help clean up after our six dogs—while I handle any messes directly! Each night they carry their toys and juice cups upstairs when it’s bedtime.
Their competitive spirit shines through; when one completes a task successfully—like setting the table—I offer praise that encourages the others to follow suit quickly!
I even managed potty training without too much hassle! They adapted remarkably well once I ensured they were ready for it. By encouraging them with plenty of fluids like juice every 20-30 minutes while offering rewards such as treats or stickers upon success—they embraced being “big boys.” We also utilized books and songs about potty training during this process!
Their independence means they don’t require constant supervision anymore; they’re capable of engaging in imaginative play together without needing me right there beside them all day long—which alleviates some guilt regarding our financial constraints since having best friends around makes things easier!
The high cost of raising triplets
This may seem obvious but multiplying costs associated with activities like theme park visits or sports lessons by three makes many experiences financially unfeasible within our budget constraints.
I calculated that during just their first year alone expenses reached approximately $23,500 due largely because we needed triple everything: car seats (three), cribs (three), high chairs (three), plus specialized gear like a triple stroller—all adding up quickly! Formula alone cost nearly $1,570—not including moving into a larger home either! Thankfully my parents provided significant support along with assistance from my ex-in-laws too!
I often find myself pondering whether things are improving or worsening since they’ve started eating more than before—they could easily devour two sandwiches each at lunchtime multiplied across all three kids! We go through two loaves of bread weekly now; there have even been times I’ve had to borrow money from my mom just so we can afford groceries! Despite scrimping hard on food choices—we still spend around $105 weekly while avoiding luxury items—it feels more about survival than anything else these days!
Squeezing by financially means most clothing purchases come secondhand online while selling off anything they’ve outgrown afterward—I rarely indulge myself except maybe Friday nights when Mom takes care of watching over them briefly allowing me some personal time away!
No amount preparation can truly equip someone for parenting triplets solo nor provide adequate support systems available elsewhere—I’ve joined Facebook groups specifically designed for mothers raising multiples where sharing tips & tricks alongside relatable experiences proves invaluable among fellow moms navigating similar challenges daily together!
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