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Timing the changes that will come with a new baby?

SusieBWSusieBW member
in Toddlers: 24 Months+
I've been thinking about all of the things that are going to change for DD in the next year or so, and I'm concerned about trying to space things out so she has time to adjust and it's not too overwhelming for her. 

In addition to a baby brother getting here right around her 3rd birthday in September, she's going to switch to a big kid bed sometime before then, our dining room is going to get converted into a nursery, and she is going to have to change schools (because her daycare doesn't take infants, so we need a place that does both).

Obviously, the change in her bed will come at least a few months before DS gets here, and I'm not too worried about that.  The dining room to nursery change will happen slowly over time, and I'm planning to let her help, but what about school?  I'm planning on about 3 months of maternity leave, so DS will start day care around the first of the year.  DD will probably be home with us for the first week when DS is born, but then I want her back to her routine, including back to school.  Shoudl I keep her at her current school, and the have them both start at the new place in January?  Or have DD start there this summer and already be settled in there before DS gets here?  If she is switching to a big bed and changing schools at the same time, do you think that's a lot?

Maybe I'm overthinking all of this, but I feel like she has no idea how much her world is about the change, and I would like to make it easy on her by not changing too much at once.  We haven't even told her I'm pregnant yet. I'd love to hear about how other people handled all of this change with their toddlers.  Thanks!
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Re: Timing the changes that will come with a new baby?

  • ncbellencbelle member
    I'd do the bed now honestly - that's likely to have a much bigger impact on her than changing the dining room to a nursery.  I'd also think making the daycare switch sooner rather than later would be better.  Basically you don't want her to associate any changes with baby if you think they may be tough for her - and you want them done well before baby arrives as that will be a HUGE transition in and of itself.


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  • SusieBWSusieBW member
    @ncbelle, that was exactly my thinking, about all of it.  DH said that he thinks it makes more sense to wait until January to have both kids start at the new school.  I think it'll all be easier for DD if we do it well before the new baby arrives.  I think that will also allow her to be the proud big sister when her little brother starts going there too.  Like, if she already has friends there, she can tell them about her brother and be able to "show him off" a little, right?

    We need to pick a couple of places and make appointments yet, so I don't know if wait lists will play a factor in the timing, and also money.  If the new school is going to be that much more expensive for just DD, that might make the decision for us.  But we'll see, I guess.  I just wanted to hear some other opinions about it.  Thanks for your advice!
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