I need a pep talk

la79al

I'm not having 2 under 2 but I have just agreed to watch an infant, in addition to my 2 girls.  I've given up any hopes of actually getting anything done around my house while she is here but what else should I be worried about?  We have to take DD1 to preschool 2 mornings a week and I am hoping to try storytime twice a week (DD2 has hers while DD1 is at preschool though) so I am a little anxious about shuffling 3 kids, 2 non-mobile and 1 in the throes of terrible 3s.  I figure having lunch planned/prepped for my girls ahead of time would be super helpful and having dinner at least started would be good.  My 2 girls are not on schedules of any kind and while DD2 usually takes 2 naps, the times vary.  The other little girl is an only baby also not on a schedule.  DD2 naps on the second floor and I am trying to figure out how to keep DD1 from doing anything to the baby while I am putting DD2 down.  Also, I am assuming the other baby is used to quiet while she naps and that doesn't happen in this house very often.  So tell me what I should be worried about and any hints or tips you can give me to help me survive this.  DH has been doing great with helping with the house and girls but he is starting to have a crazy schedule with varying days off and varying shifts so I'm kind of working him out of the equation. 

sweetpea2003

Honestly, I think your first step is to get on a schedule with your girls.  Kids THRIVE on schedules and it really does help keep things orderly, predictable, and workable.  If my kids didn't have the schedule they did I would never leave my house because one would always be tired or cranky or sleeping.  Because I know when they will be sleeping and eating I can glance at a schedule of events and know what I can and cannot attend, what works for us, etc.  It makes things easier and less disappointing.

How old is the infant?  My son was on a solid 2 nap per day schedule fairly early on.  My toddler does one nap in the afternoon.  Our schedule is:

7AM - wake up

7:15- DS first bottle

7:30 - breakfast for both

9:00 - DS down for nap

10:00 - DS up from nap

10:30 - snack for DD

11:00 - DS second bottle

12:00 - lunch for both

12:30 - DD and DS down for nap

2:30 - up from nap

3:00 - DS third bottle, DD snack

6:00 - dinner

6:30 - upstairs for bath, books, jammies

7:00 - bed

All of the time between events is good for playing or outings.  We do most of our longer outings after the afternoon nap (so basically between 3 and 6pm).  We can also squeeze in library story time or a quick play date between when DS gets up from his nap and when we eat lunch.

I don't mess with the schedule unless it is a very special event or occasion.  We are all much much happier with our routine.  The kids are not tired or hungry and we have enough opportunity to schedule playdates and outings or errands and grocery shopping.

sweetpea2003

Another thought...

I am assuming you are getting paid to watch this baby? 

My girlfriend watched my DD when I went back to work.  She got licensed as a daycare to do it legally.  I'm not saying that you need to do that necessarily, but that if you are watching a baby for profit, you should really think of yourself as a daycare.

If you plan on taking their baby in your car you need to get a release for permission to drive their baby around.  My girlfriend took her son to preschool a few times per week and I was totally fine with her driving my DD.  But I put it in writing.  It protects you from some liability. 

Also, make sure you get medication releases and things of that nature so that if the baby is teething you can give Tylenol, has diaper rash you can use cream, etc.  It all seems totally simple and mundane, but if something were to happen (an adverse reaction) you want to make sure you have written permission.

She always had meals and activities planned out for the week before.  I know she spent Sunday writing up her plans (she had two sons and watched my DD... One of her sons was 3 and her other son was the same age as my DD).  She had a stroller that could get them all to the park (I think a double with a running board for her older son). 

Another things is that she kept a detailed log for me about what my DD did that day.  All bottles, meals, and diapers were written in the log.  If she had to use medicine she also noted it, the dose, and the time.  I would write her a note every morning with how much Kate ate, when, and how the night/morning had been.  Communication was key.

And despite the fact that she was a good friend of mine, the daycare aspect was VERY professional.  We set up an automatic payment so that she was paid on time every time no questions asked.  She never flaked on us because she thought we were "friends"...  I never had to miss a day of work because she had to do something.  It was amazingly perfect and wonderful.  After I resigned from my job I still took Kate over there for a playdate a few times per week.  Her sons and my duaghter were buddies and missed each other.

This can be a veyr positive situation but it needs a lot of planning.  Don't just "grab the baby and go" - it will make things really hard!!