A huge welcome to Natasha and Wayne Burrows who have recently joined our club, with their 2.5 year old triplets Benjamin, Joshua and David.
The triplets were born overseas at 33 weeks weighing 1.8kg, 1.6kg and 1.07kg, respectively.
Here’s 5 questions with triplet super-mum Natasha Burrows:
1. You’ve only recently moved to the area, how are you finding it here?
“Yes, we immigrated to New Zealand in May 2022.. and moved to Milldale in November. The boys were born in Saudi Arabia, and we lived in South Africa for 8 months before coming here, and New Zealand is by far the best equipped to have triplets. We absolutely love it here! There is so much to do with the boys outdoors and most places and people are so accommodating with us having three toddlers. Moving to NZ was the best decision we’ve made.”
2. Life with triplet toddlers, how would you describe this stage?
“Life is BUSY, the good kind of busy! It’s a lot easier now than the first year and a half – I know to many people that sounds crazy. But the amount of work and “neediness” of infants/pre-toddlers is much harder than the busyness of toddlers. We are often late or rushing, lol. We remain the centre of attention wherever we go and the boys absolutely love it!”
3. Do you have any tips or mantras that have helped you get through on those extra busy days?
“Teamwork and Routine. For us routine was our best friend, we stuck with routine from day 1. It helps when the boys know what to expect and what’s happening next it has also made some transitions easier, like moving from cribs to toddler beds. But on those days where time runs away and all 3 boys ‘flip-out’, it’s important to focus on one at a time. Teamwork has made this so much easier. We like to think that my husband and I really make a great team, when situations get out of hand with the boys, we try and focus on the solution only, it doesn’t matter who forgot to pack diapers or water bottles or wet wipes (often me), the details don’t matter. We would just get on with it, get the boys calm and happy. But on those rough days, we still live for nap time, lol. Nap time is where we also get a “time-out” to reset from the crazy morning we just survived.”
4. What’s the best thing about having triplets?
“Life is so much FUN! There’s never a dull moment with these three. They keep us on our toes all the time. It’s just amazing watching them grow and develop, such individual personalities, three completely different kids, yet they are always concerned about each other and asking where the other is, or what about their shoes or juice or toy.”
5. Is there anything else you’d like to share with our multiples club community?
“The hardest part of having triplets is not the amount of work, amount of money, or the fact that we did it alone. It’s knowing everything you’ve been through and dealt with to get those three tiny babies to where they are today, and then have people negatively comment on them or the fact that there’s three. The “rather you than me” comments, or “shame, poor you”. It’s hard not to snap back or on a hard day burst into tears, but I just remind myself, “if you only knew”. We love our boys and we love our life, We wouldn’t have it any other way. Yes, life is busy, hard work and very expensive. But God chose us to parent these three little miracles and we wouldn’t have it any other way!”
Authored in April 2023 by Natasha Bull