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Two Under 2
zeitsev
member
Advice for single moms with 2u2?
zeitsev
member
in Two Under 2
Hi Ladies,
Beyond spending time on thebump for my own journey on ttc, I have found these boards to be a great place to get thoughts and advice to use for work. I am a social worker for pregnant and parenting teens in foster care. Every week I run a support group for our parenting teens and we have a handful who will be/already have 2u2 and asked for us to focus on that experience this week. I have read through a couple of posts on this board and it seems like you all have great advice to share. What would you like a single mom of 2u2 to know? How to prepare? Books to read? Etc.? Generally, we work with our teens on creating consistency in the daily routine and trying to have bath time/feeding time be enjoyable and bonding times.
BFP #1 on 10/2/11 - Bambishka's EDD 6/5/12, Blighted Ovum, D&C on 11/9/11
BFP #2 on 2/10/12 - Little Nugget's EDD 10/23/12, Natural Miscarriage on 2/29/12
BFP #3 on 6/7/12 - BB's EDD 2/19/13, arrived 2/18/13!
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BFP #2 on 2/10/12 - Little Nugget's EDD 10/23/12, Natural Miscarriage on 2/29/12
BFP #3 on 6/7/12 - BB's EDD 2/19/13, arrived 2/18/13!
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This discussion has been closed.
Re: Advice for single moms with 2u2?
Im not a single mom but go it alone without my husband a lot.
For ME BFing has been the easiest way to bond with my newborn and easiest way to not have to deal with a ton more of dishes to do each day. I also have made time for my newborn when my son was in bed, so if he was in bed by 730 then Id bathe DD at 8 and have some sweet alone time. We only bathed her every 2-3 days since when was little. As she got older she was put in the toddler seat of her tub and the tub was stuck in the big bath next to DS. They bonded and interacted well that way.
As for going out, I always made sure to have a baby carrier with me in case DD was screaming, I knew she was happier with me holding her. So even in the bottom of the stroller I kept a carrier.
I also made sure I had a place to contain the older LO while the younger was was nursing or eat in public. That way I didnt have to chase a toddler. I put him in a stroller or highchair and he was safe. Nursing in the front seat of the car while parked and DS was in his carseat was the easiest.
Remembering that the days are long but the years are short is important, before you know it they are almost preschoolers and more independant.
BFP #2 on 2/10/12 - Little Nugget's EDD 10/23/12, Natural Miscarriage on 2/29/12
BFP #3 on 6/7/12 - BB's EDD 2/19/13, arrived 2/18/13!
I would say try to keep them both on the same schedule and eating meals at the same time and bath time at the same time; not only to save time but less effort etc for you. You can make time for #1 when #2 is napping. Figure out who is willing to watch 2 kids while u run errands or even will watch one while you bring one for errands. Bring two with you for errands is not easy to be productive to getting your errands done and taking care of them.
My savior has been the double stroller; can't live without it.
They can prepare by getting the older child on a schedule and help them learn independent play. Depending on where they live, it is really great to have a "baby safe" place to put your older one when you need to change a diaper or put the younger one down for a nap. It's important to know that there will be good days and bad (it's ok to cry when they cry, just take a moment to gather yourself rather than trying to do things while flustered). Make a few goals for yourself each day (i.e. getting out of the house, doing the laundry) so you don't lose track of time and what is going on around you, it's easy to get involved with two LO's and forget that the dishes are piling up, and there is no clean underwear!
I agree with PP that nursing is great for bonding. I also found it to be a great time to read to the older one as the younger one nursed.
Strive to keep on your schedule, but know that it won't always happen, be flexible and figure out how to get back on schedule rather than giving up on the whole day.
I think I could go on for days, but I'll stop here! I hope that helps!