Well into my pregnancy I thought it might be time to start thinking, at least a little, about what life was going to be like once my second baby arrived.  "Three Socks" was in the branch library list and it seemed to cover what I wanted to know.  I was pleased to find it wasn’t too long either – half a chance I might get it read in between potty training, trying to catch ½ hour sleep at lunchtime, doing the NCT accounts, work, cleaning etc etc.  The review from the parenting magazine is ‘Rebecca Abrams’ book is an essential.  Read it before you conceive’.    It would certainly solve any over-population issues if everyone did!  I don’t think I would ever have had the courage to try for another baby if I had read this first.   There are some bits in it that, from this side of my baby arriving, seem like good advice ... and I’ve hired a cleaner for the next 6 months on the strength of it.  Overall though I found the tone very negative and panic inducing.  The author seemed to imply that there was no way I would cope.  I was bound to end up depressed, my marriage in crisis, unable to get organised to get out of the house and with emotionally damaged children who were unlikely to get on. 

On the positive side there are topics in the book that it is useful to think through – how will the practicalities of life work for the first few months, what support can I plan in advance to make it easier, how can I help prepare my oldest child for her world turning up side down, once they get older how do you discipline two children at once.  There are quotes from parents about positive aspects of parenting more than one child but these are few and far between and their effect is outweighed by the sheer number of quotes focussing on negative aspects. 

 Maybe my view will change when I experience the reality of having two children, but I sincerely hope not or the next two years will be the most miserable I’ve ever been through.