I was with a friend most of the day yesterday and at one point we started talking about all the fun places we would like to take our girls this summer. Then it hit me.. I will have TWO kids.
I got slightly anxious about going ANYWHERE on my own with them that DD will want to run. I know I can do it (I have no choice- haha!) but I just saw visions of DD running off (her new thing) and thinking its funny.. while I'm chasing her w/ a baby carrier or pushing the stroller after her.
Anybody have any tips, plans for when you take your LO's out ALONE (meaning without your DH/SO)
Re: Slight anxiety about having 2 kids...
We've been working on this with DD- if she wants to walk she HAS to hold on to the stroller. The *second* her hand comes of the stroller she gets put in it for the rest of the outing. We've been doing this 3 times a week for the last two months or so. She had gotten much better, but there have been occasions where I've had to put the brakes on the stroller and chase after her- but I know what sparks that (Build-a-Bear, the produce section, etc) so I can almost anticipate her running off. The only place she is absolutely not allowed to walk is in parking lots- just not a place I want to have to worry about two babies!
You won't be the first mother to chase a toddler through a busy store with a baby in tow- and I'm sure once you do it the first time it'll just become an old habit!
I know!!! I bought a Leash for DD just in case moments. She is a runner also.
I could just see her taking off when I'm Bfing the LO
Its definitely different than 1, but also definitely do-able. My first 2 are 17 months apart. Taking care of a toddler while breastfeeding,etc was challenging. DS #1 got used to having little sibling around and began to recognize that mommy needed his help and needed him to listen to me. Outings out are also more involved obviously.
Now they are 1 and 2 and we have the hang of it. Expecting #3 which will be 3 children ages 3 and under. Now, I am nervous about that!
Good luck. Nothing better than watching the love and companionship of siblings.
This. It freaks me out but DD has to either hold my hand or I let her help push the stroller and she will walk behind it. I get nervous because the second she is out of a stroller it is a total meltdown to get her back in there if I need to, but I have gotten over that and if she throws a fit then oh well..I'd rather have her in the stroller and safe if I need to do something rather than trying to chase after her or multitask too much and have something happen. She isn't allowed to walk in the parking lot either..so I get nervous about her cooperating to hold my hand while I carry the baby into the store or something, but people do it all the time so it will work out.
I am a bit anxious as well. My son is older - he will be 4 in May - but he still has his moments. Plus, it already takes what seems like FOREVER to get out of the house in the morning for work or on weekends to run errands or go to church. I can't imagine how hard it will be when the new LO arrives!
I am definitely going to play up the 'Mommy needs Big Brother's help' for as long as possible. Also, I am buying an Ergo so I can be hands-free to work with DS (all the moms at my DS' preschool who have 2+ kids wear the Ergo carrier) - I'm just hoping that it proves the weight in gold that current users claim it does.
As a PP said, millions of women have done this before us, so we will survive. The chaos that young children bring will only be temporary.