Moms of toddlers

adamwife

Help me please - I'm having a hard time adjusting right now.  If you could share your daily routines I would really appreciate it.  I'm just wondering how most of you eat, shower, take a crap, etc., because I'm not finding the time to do any of it.

madhatter2003

Hang in there honey....it does get better. It's VERY VERY hard though, I totally understand what you are going through.

Right now we wake up when my DD gets up, around 7:30 or 8ish.  I put DS in the sling and cook her breakfast and grab a bowl of cereal while she eats. I nurse him in the sling a lot too.  After breakfast is playtime until lunch, then she gets her nap. I *try* to take a nap or at least lay down when she does just to rest.  The hardest thing is nursing, she wants attention so I'm trying to have books, puzzles, etc that I can do with her while nursing DS, but it's HARD.

My DH is cooking most dinners now, and I do her bath while he's cooking.  Once she is in bed we give DS his bath, and try to get my shower in after that.

FALLingForChris

I get up very early!  I'm back at work now, but I had 3 months at home.  We had to keep DS's spot in daycare so he was only part time for 2 weeks then full time after that most of the time.  It was nice to have some time alone with DD.

But the days when I did have him there, DH and I just got up really early.  I would get showered and ready for the day before DH left.  That shower was really important for me to feel good.

The rest was a balancing act.  But we kept DS schedule the same and he was happier for it.

MrsHadley

Don't forget you're in the worst of it right now.  In more of a survival mode then anything.  After about 2-3 weeks it gets better.  We are just now in a real routine.  But still showering is sporadic, eating is leftovers from the older one, and going to the bathroom is a group activity. It will get better, but it is mostly a wait and wait game.  Good luck, and congrats!

LilMissLadybug

DH cooked all the dinners the first month and still sometimes will make dinner if I've had a rough day. One thing he did recently that really helped was he spent an entire day cooking and freezing food so all I had to do was pop things in the oven. With DD I always made sure she had something to drink, play with, a movie on or whatever when I had to sit down to feed DS. I shower at night, mostly because I can take longer when DH is home, but also I'd like to get things done during DSs naps or get DD to nap with me when DS naps. I get both kids in the bath before bed. DD goes in first usually around 8p. When she gets out I get her in bed and read her a book. Then DS gets his bath and I nurse him to sleep, then I pump, clean up the kitchen and go to bed. I don't have a routine yet. I just do things as DS naps. My DD is a bit older than your DS so she can sometimes get things for herself, like a juice box or yogurt from the fridge. I think the first month was the hardest then it's gotten much better.

irishmolly04

Congrats on you baby boy!! I've been lucky enough that both boys sleep at the same time in the afternoon so I can get things done (like right now!) I usualy put Brody in the bouncy seat while I shower & let Caden take a few books into our room & read while I leave the door open so I can see both of them. I put the baby into the swing in the kitchen while I cook dinner & distract Caden with puts & pans or a dvd while I cook. I always eat with Caden & usually have the boppy on my lap while Brody bf's or else he's in the swing. It's tough going & I feel really crappy most days since I can't give Caden the attentiion he needs. He usually hangs out next to me on the couch while I BF but anytime the baby naps I try to read to him or give him extra cuddles. Hang in there...its getting better now that Brody's sleeping longer at night & starting to get into a routine.

JessiRaye

If I don't up early enough to shower and get ready for the day I have a crappy day!!! My oldest is 3.5 and is very active.....So keeping him entertained is HARD! It's been too cold to spend time outside since I have the newborn.

So for now.....My oldest is in part time preschool. On the days that he's home we get up early and I take a shower and let him watch TV. Then I feed him quickly and nurse the baby. when the baby takes a morning nap, I throw in some laundry and do anything really needs to get done in the house. Then we just play for a bit. If the baby is fussy...I dance around and bounce him while Nathan follows me around and dances too. HAHA

My husband either cooks dinner or holds the baby entertains the boys while I cook dinner. My H was home for 3 weeks so that helps...And I guess my oldest is going to be more 'help' than Gabriel since Gabriel is still pretty little.

I'm also accepting help from anyone that asks! Former co-workers have been bringing me food and my mom and dad have been a godsend!

Hang in there...It is definitely going to get easier! (FYI...Yesterday was a bad day for us. I didn't shower and started the day off in a crappy mood.)

GL!