Nervous about having 2 LO's

Re: Nervous about having 2 LO's

• CaliforniaDream87 member

  August 2015 edited August 2015

  I don't have much advice as I'm having a hard time adjusting to 2 kids under 2. My toddler has been horrible lately. I'm just trying to stay consistent (reinforcing good behavior), taking help from my mom (who loves to help out and boy could I use it) and spending lots of time with my toddler (to ensure he feels he is also getting enough time). I find when I give him lots of one on one time his behavior improves.
  
  It's not easy but when I see my son try and kiss his baby sister it's all suddenly worth it. I'm sure it gets easier. Fingers crossed

      DS born 8-16-2013

  

  

  Report2 Reply
• Loading the player...
• toccoaparker member

  August 2015

  You really do just have to fall into the swing of it, when my second son was born DS1 was two months from his second birthday. It's a tough adjustment at first but having a newborn is an adjustment all on its own! My best advice is to just keep your first child involved with the change of baby coming into the picture. DS2 is now my "big boy helper" with his baby sister while DS1 goes to school; all the kids have their own "thing" that they get to do or help with. Don't worry mama, you've got this!

  Report1 Reply
• breezymeema7 member

  August 2015

  The first couple months are survival mode. You do what you gotta do. Eventually you'll figure out a new routine and life will settle. In the meantime, take all the help that is offered. Let your partner know how they can help you. Don't stress out about the house. You're going to lose your cool, you're going to screw up, forgive yourself, and ask for forgiveness. Pray, pray, and pray some more Always drink a cup of coffee first thing each and every morning. And know that you are giving your children the best gift ever, the gift of a sibling.

  Report5 Reply
• kettlekitten member

  August 2015

  I've just been to Kmart and stocked up on a shed load of crafty things to put in a busy box for DD (2.5). She likes drawing and stickering and puzzles so I'll throw a few assorted items in, and only get it out at feeding/pumping times so she has something novel to do to keep her out of my hair for an hour. I'll rotate things around if she doesn't like them or gets bored of them. No idea if this will work but it seems worth a try...
  
  I also second the one on one time with the older child, I'm making a really conscious effort to make the most of any time I have with DD and to really be present for her. So far I'm lucky in that she is not jealous of DS and is really interested in him. That could of course change any moment!

  Report1 Reply
• KateDerek member

  August 2015

  I agree about the survival mode and accepting help whenever you can. When I had my second baby I kept my first in daycare for two whole days a week because I was getting a fully paid maternity leave so why not. It was awesome to have that one on one time with my new baby. Then one day a week I would spend time with my parents who would help out, and then my mother in law would take my older one for some quality time on another day. I tried to keep it the same as I could for my older one since he is more into routine.
  
  This time around with my third baby, I pulled both my boys out of daycare for the month of August to save money on the summer care. I will admit it was a bit smart and a bit dumb. Luckily school will start after Labor Day and they will have more of a routine. With days upon days of nothing to do here at home at the end of the summer, I'm happy they can go outside and play with the neighbors, but the lack of routine is hard for them and especially me. Grandparents have taken them for overnights and fun stuff often these past couple weeks since their sister arrived but here at home it's a little chaotic with all of them. Only two more weeks! Then my older one will be in school every day and the younger one will be in for two full days and one morning. I think the more kids I have had, the more I have had to accept help from family. It takes a village sometimes!

  Report1 Reply
• saraheve23 member

  August 2015

  Definitely accept help! Give the eldest lots of attention and try to maintain routines. Good luck!

  Report1 Reply