Mom's of 2 or more...some questions:

wheelsonthebus

I thought the new  baby would be the tough part of having more than one child. I was so wrong. My three year old has been giving me such a hard time. He is testing EVERY limit. He goes out of his way to give me a hard time. Has this happened to anyone else? Do you find it difficult to keep your patience with your toddler. I feel terrible because I know he is just being a kid, but it is so hard.

I'm thinking that if we plan some fun activities such as playgroup or a trip to the park, that would be good for all of us. How soon will you/did you take your new LO out?

penelope212

I completely understand, my four year old is driving me up the wall. I honestly just sat him down and asked him what was wrong. He gave me a strsightforward answer, and we talked about it. Jealousy could prbably be the main factors here, just try spending more time with him. Hope that helps!

kris_kelsey

absolutely my older child is more challenging.  He was getting to be much better behaved before DD was born and now he is definitely testing his limits.  I find I lose my patience much more with him because I feel like I have less time to deal with his shenanigans.  I feel bad even saying this, but I don't enjoy time with him now as much as I did before DD was born.  Now I find him more troublesome, annoying, and altogether frustrating.  I make efforts to do things with just him so that I can feel a better connection with him and then I have more patience because I am not trying to focus on DD also.  Getting out of the house certainly helps and I brought DD out as soon as I felt physically comfortable leaving the house with both kids...which was 5 days postpartum. 

You are a normal mom, and you all will adjust with time.  You are comparing everything to your previous "normal" and you all will start a new "normal."

becketts

Yes! DD1 is driving me crazy! It does help to leave the house. I usually wear DD2 in the moby wrap so I have my hands free for DD1. 

mrsjengle

DD1 isn't horrible, but it's certainly harder to take my time with her when she's whinny or needy. She's pretty good with her baby sister, but she has swatted at her a few times which gets me really pissed even though I know she's not doing it on purpose. She's still in DC but this is her last week, since I'm a teacher an will be home for the summer. I'm terrified of how life will be when I have both of them all day. I have no clue how to keep DD1's nap/meal schedule while working around a NB. 

gwennec

Yes, DD1 is a lot more exhausting and hard to keep up with since I haven't really been sleeping. DH has been getting up with DD1, thankfully, but I still have her for most of the day. Thankfully I have some help in the morning while I am on leave. I had both girls on Friday for the first time alone all day. Between that and normal weekend activities which always includes getting out of the house for a few hours in the morning, I am exhausted! I forgot about the easy going pace of having a newborn.

Irisheyes1247

I find we all do better if we can manage to get out of the house in the morning, to go a walk or play or anything. It just helps everyone. It took me a while to feel comfortable with this and it is hard because baby2 is much more unpredictable so coordinating times when we were all dressed, fed and content enough to go out can be a struggle. Also, I was just less patient with my older daughter. She was 16 months when the new baby came along, I knew she couldn't understand that mommy needed some help and cooperation but it was still what I wanted. It was a big change for all of us. It's getting easier every day. And now I look back and think, "why was it so difficult with just one?" having just one kid with us now is like a vacation. Funny how things change.  

Hefinallydidit

Right there with you!  DD hasn't been terrible but hasn't been easy and her normal self either!  I go back to work next week and I am sad to leave them but I need a break from her- breaks my heart to say that but its so true!!  One thing that drives me nuts is when DS is napping I ask her to please be quieter and she does the complete opposite!  She hasn't been listening as well as usual and I know that its all for attention.  We have tried to explain to her it won't be like this for ever and that soon DS will be more active. 

catycombs

I opened this thread just as DD1 covered herself in butter. She is spending lots of time in time out. I'm trying my best to keep my cool. But, toddlers can seriously test your patience! We get out of the house as much as we can. My DD1 can be sugar sweet, but she can wear me down. I just have to remember how much her life just changed and that she needs lots of attention too. It's exhausting, however it certainly is rewarding!