June 2017 Moms
JennMof3
member
Moms of toddlers
JennMof3
member
How've you been doing balancing a toddler(s) and your pregnancy/new baby(ies) this past week?
What was the best part of your week with your toddler?
Rants/Raves/Questions:
Anything you want to add/share?:
What was the best part of your week with your toddler?
Rants/Raves/Questions:
Anything you want to add/share?:
Re: Moms of toddlers
My toddler has been acting out constantly since having our daughter. It's like a switch flipped and he just isn't sure of his place. My husband has been spending all of his time with him. Next week he returns to work so I'm a little worried. My DS basically ignores everything I say. It's like he sees me with baby and thinks I'll do nothing to correct his behavior. It's been a difficult balance that I'm hoping will get easier as the weeks go by.
What was the best part of your week with your toddler?
A couple times he has climbing into bed with me to snuggle which has been sweet and what we used to do. He is always very concerned when she cries so he's got the protective big brother part down already :-)
Rants/Raves/Questions:
Has anyone been able to successfully do newborn photos with a toddler too? I didn't take my DS to my official photo shoot but I'm thinking about having a family member try to take some for us. Anyone have some tips or tricks that worked well for them to get some cute pictures.
Anything you want to add/share?:
I still have an inside baby for two more days, so things have been going pretty well at home with my 3 year old. He seems excited to be a big brother but I'm scared for the regression and jealousy that may take place when we bring our baby boy home. I'm interested to see how other new moms are handling it. This week, since I'm a teacher home for the summer, I have just been trying to do special one on one activities with him everyday. I'm struggling a little bit with the idea that he will have to share all of the attention and he will no longer be the only child.
What was the best part of your week with your toddler?
I love our nap time cuddles everyday. I'm looking forward to tomorrow because my husband is also taking the day off to just have a whole day enjoying being a family of three for the last time. Baby will be here Friday!
Rants/Raves/Questions:
My son has been doing really well following directions and controlling his tantrums the last few weeks. I'm seriously hoping that continues once baby is here but I doubt it. He is such a momma's boy and the next two weeks at least he will need to depend on daddy much more - which he doesn't tend to like lol he definitely prefers mommy time.
Anything you want to add/share?:
Sorry no advice. But I can definitely commiserate with you. Following for any good advice you may get!
I took my own newborn photos that I'm proud of but I didn't even try to get my toddler in them. I've just been taking candids of the girls together around the house. I am thinking of a professional shoot at the end of summer around DD's second birthday. I thought by then she might be a little more cooperative and the baby would be a little less fragile. @JennMof3
@mamaelle27 That's a good idea to waiting until baby is a little older. I did get photos with the baby and my older girls so that something :-). I'm planning on doing pictures in October of the whole family. That's been kind of our tradition is to do fall photos and then use that for our Christmas card.
dh was pretty over it by the end too. The last hour I was on my own cause he couldn't deal anymore. Dd was being really wiggly.
Waiting a bit is a good idea. I think my favorite pics of dd were between 4-7 months. I do monthly pics for their first year. But I love that stage. You can interact with them more for the picture, put things in their hands, and they are more awake and smiley.
I want to do a family shoot around the same time since I have so many pictures, but I'm never in them.
This is week 6 for us and I feel like it's gotten a lot better. My toddler (22 months) is doing better with waiting for me while I'm helping the baby and learning what she can do to help. I left the house alone with both of them but only to go to my aunt's house where there was a ton of help. I haven't gone out in public with them both yet.
What was the best part of your week with your toddler?
She's been coming into our bed in the morning and giving me huge kisses and cuddles. Melts my heart to get that special one on one time and have her be all mushy.
Rants/Raves/Questions:
Most mornings we've gotten both girls to sleep until 6:30 instead of 4:45/5 that they'd been doing previous weeks, that made a huge difference and I hope it continues.
Any suggestions for keeping toddlers off baby equipment? DD, when she's feeling particularly mischievous, tries to climb into the baby swing (luckily not when the baby's in it). I know she's doing it for attention but I can't figure out how to nip it in the bud.
we're doing ok, leaving the house is still daunting and difficult, but we can go in a pinch, I finally bought a carrier so I can wear DS2, I feel like that will make it easier but I haven't tried yet. DS1 has adjusted to the new routine and having less and less meltdowns, he's back to his normal self, and adores his brother. There is hope! It took 5 weeks, but there is hope.
What was the best part of your week with your toddler?
He has been sick and sooky this week so everything has been the end of the world, honestly the best part of my week was the 3hrs he was at preschool before they rang me to come pick him up. #motheroftheyear
Rants/Raves/Questions:
I just wish he could shake this flu, thankfully his brother hasn't picked it up, and I only had it for 2 days. H on the other hand I am pretty sure may drop dead sometime today.
Anything you want to add/share?:
as for toddler photos, bribery is your best bet, toys, chocolate, anything. You need both kids happy which is the hardest part. You will have about a 10minute opportunity from experience, and even then, that may be pushing it. A professional will know the tricks to get both to cooperate and it will be quicker. If you're doing them yourself be prepared to spend hours trying to get the perfect photo.
DS - January 2014
TTCAL | April 2016
CP | June 2016
CP | July 2016
I'm hoping my DS adjusts to the new baby soon. My lack of sleep situation is wearing on my patience too so I'm trying to keep that in perspective.
@doodleoodlebedtime is a process at our home, with 26 month old and 11 week old kids. We've heard it all before: routine is key (though it can be very difficult). I find that telling the toddler what to expect next is key and let her guide the experience so I can mind the baby. "Okay, [name] we have 5 more minutes of play, then we'll clean up (we always sing a clean up song as a cue), brush teeth, brush hair, go potty, put on PJs, read a book, then sleep." Then proceed to do each thing, reminding them as you go: "after we're done going potty, we're going to put on PJs, read a book, then sleep," etc. Consistency is important, even if the time fluctuates (let's be real). Include new baby as much as possible and really let the toddler exert that independence they crave ("I do! All by myself!"). When all else fails, put the baby in a rock n play next to you while you facilitate the bedtime routine. Lastly, end with sibling love, hugs and kisses, and "little brother/sister loves you."
Hope this helps.
On the flip side I've seen how he has turned to his Dad for comfort and guidance which has been good to see. He also gets to enjoy the summer with his older Sisters. So I'm trying to focus on the more positive and remember this time is short and he likely won't remember much of it.
https://pinterest.com/pin/168603579783357074/?source_app=android
I made some of these today and they were a hit with my 23 month old.