STM+ Weekly Check In (10/27)

jsl82 · October 2017

How far along are you?

How old are your other kids?

Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now?

Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM:

GTKY: Tell us about a time in your career when you were super proud of something you did.

mytinc · October 2017

How far along are you?
8 weeks tomorrow

How old are your other kids?
4.5, 3

Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now?

Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM:

GTKY: Tell us about a time in your career when you were super proud of something you did.
Right after college I had a brief stint as a door to door sales person selling coupon books. Obviously I realized it wasn't a good fit and it was stupid for me to be doing with a college degree, so I quit after 2 weeks. But one particular sale stood out. The person didn't open the front door, she was talking to me through her second story window. I gave my pitch anyway and actually made the sale. That made me stupidly happy and proud of myself.

I'm actually still in a sales/marketing role with my current company, but none of that door-to-door bullshit.

jsl82 · October 2017

How far along are you?
8w3d
How old are your other kids?
10 Months Today!

Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now?
DD has been having nightmares. At least we assume it's nightmares. She has been super clingy when she wakes up and needs DH to basically stand over her crib until she falls back to sleep, and she has been fighting falling asleep at night too. It's been hard on me with the morning sickness- I find she wants to nurse longer and it is making me super sick, than she cries and screams. It breaks my heart and makes me scared that I will never be able to sleep again once there are 2 of them. Will the new baby wake DD up in the night? Will one of them wake up with a bad dream immediately after I get the other one asleep again?

Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM:
DH has really been stepping up with the nightmares. He loves feeling needed- since I am still nursing she's been so heavily dependent on me since birth. Makes me feel a little better about our transition to a family of 4.

GTKY: Tell us about a time in your career when you were super proud of something you did.
Nothing in particular has made me feel proud per say- but I have been called out for great organization, great general knowledge, ect at different times in my career. It's nice to be recognized.

PatientlyWaiting10 · October 2017

@mytinc Wow! Through a second story window; that's impressive!!
@jsl82 Are you spiritual at all? Can you say some prayers over/with her at bedtime? I've also heard to read Psalms 91 out loud with them too. I'm sorry you're dealing with that. I'm sure you are just exhausted! I cannot imagine nursing and being pregnant. I was so exhausted just from nursing alone!

How far along are you? 8+3

How old are your other kids? 7, 16 months

Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now? DS has started to swat when he gets mad or when we tell him no/take something that he shouldn't have away from him. Yesterday he swatted at DH and got a time out and then he hit me in the face while we were waiting for supper. He got his hand flicked. He knows it's naughty but I'm just not sure how to discipline at this age. And I feel like he listens to DH better than me. How do you all discipline when they're just on the edge of understanding and testing their limits?

Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM: DD (7) has been so wonderful at helping out in the mornings if I'm not feeling well. She's also excited about having another baby brother or sister (she's hoping sister). The last few nights we've also laid DS down awake, the first couple nights he cried for a few minutes but last night he laid down without fussing and went to sleep! I love rocking and snuggling with him but some nights it would be 45 minutes that DH or I would be in there with him and then I felt bad for DD when she was just out watching TV by herself or something.

GTKY: Tell us about a time in your career when you were super proud of something you did.
I worked for a staffing service in my previous position and I always LOVED being able to help the people who had a minor criminal record get back on their feet. I had one guy who was living in a halfway house come in looking for work. He was so dedicated and walked/rode bike 10 miles to the job I found him. He ended up getting hired on by the company and called to thank me almost in teats for giving him a chance when no one else did. That was almost 10 years ago probably and I can still picture him and remember his name. I have no idea what ever happened to him, but I hope he stayed sober and continued to improve himself!

basemodel · October 2017

How far along are you?
7 weeks 5 days

How old are your other kids?
2.5!

Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now?
Potty training going on it's 9873457th month.

Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM:
Christmas mornings will be so wonderful

GTKY: Tell us about a time in your career when you were super proud of something you did.
This is the interview question I always freeze on. My palms are sweating already. Nope, not doing it.

Austenista · October 2017

How far along are you?
6w1d

How old are your other kids?
DS will be 11mos tomorrow

Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now?
Just wondering how our routines and relationships are going to change. Worrying about him when I have to be at doctors appointments or if I have to monitored at L&D like last time. Being away from him when we have to go deliver this one. Those sorts of things.

Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM:
Excited for him to have a playmate for sure. I was watching him putter around and play yesterday and was thinking how sweet it will be for him to have another to play with.

GTKY: Tell us about a time in your career when you were super proud of something you did.
SAHM here. My family is absolutely my greatest blessing.

marcus7676 · October 2017

@PatientlyWaiting10 We bought 123 Magic at the recommendation of moms in my other BMB. We haven't read it yet, but have tried instituting short time outs. My DS gets angry and acts out - hitting, biting, pinching, so the time out removes him from the situation. We've gotten to the point that if he's doing something out of anger, he might put himself in time out.

@basemodel we are starting potty training after thanksgiving. I'm dreading it. Anything that has (or hasn't) worked for you?!

How far along are you? 9 weeks.

How old are your other kids? 25 months.

Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now? I'm so exhausted all the time that I have no idea how I'm going to handle my toddler at the same time as a newborn during the height of sleep deprivation.

Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM: Every night by DS says "night night baby." The other night he patted my belly during bedtime and said, "I love him, baby" - - he doesn't even say I love you to me, so I died.

GTKY: Tell us about a time in your career when you were super proud of something you did. Nothing in particular jumps out at me at the moment. (Is that sad?) I'm in a bitter place right now with my job, so that could be the reason I can't think of anything.

catlady1215 · October 2017

How far along are you?
9weeks 1 day

How old are your other kids?
DS is 5

Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now?
I'm really feeling guilty about not playing with him much the past few weeks. I'm really half assing it. and constantly saying I don't feel good. just by the evening I'm done.

Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM:
I'm just praying all is still well cause I can't wait to tell him. and we asked that they mail us the gender after the genetic blood work cause we want him to read the card that says 'boy' or 'girl'

GTKY: Tell us about a time in your career when you were super proud of something you did.
probably when I got my credentials. I put it off for a good 12ish years?! lol. cause I was scared. and passed on my first try.

jsl82 · October 2017

@PatientlyWaiting10 we aren't spiritual and I feel like she is too little to get any comfort out praying. At 10 months old, she is still baby babbling. She says mama and dada, but doesn't yet associated the words to DH and I.

Routine is her jam so we are just being super consistent with her so she feels safe. She has had the same bedtime routine since we was about 2 months old. Just hoping that whatever freaked her out enough to haunt her dreams leaves her alone soon. Luckily DH has been a champ with comforting her in the middle of the night.

@basemodel sorry for the sweaty palms. I stole the question from May so blame those ladies. haha.

@marcus7676 I haven't had to potty train DD yet, but my neighbors across the street from us just started with their DD. The 2 year old started the process before my neighbor even thought about it (she had just bought diapers). She said her biggest issue so far has been daycare. Because all of the other kids in her class are in diapers the teachers haven't been taking her to the bathroom and she's had a few accidents as a result. I'm not sure if you have a daycare or a nanny situation, but you will want to make sure that your childcare providers are on board when you start. My neighbor is trying to get her DD moved up a class to make sure she is surrounded by other kids that also have to take bathroom breaks throughout the day. Good luck!

oneblessedmess · October 2017

How far along are you? 6 weeks today.

How old are your other kids? DD is 2.

Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now? We are also on the potty training train and it's going well-ish. We started the first week of October and she got "pee goes in the potty" down pretty quickly. Poop is another story. Right now she's been waiting until we put a nighttime pull up on and pooping in that. So I know she knows not to poop in her underwear but I'm not sure how to get her to the point of going in the toilet. Ah well, my goal is to be done by the time the baby comes so we have some time to figure it out.

Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM: Just looking forward to seeing DD with a sibling!

GTKY: Tell us about a time in your career when you were super proud of something you did. I'm a SAHM now but I am proud I made it through my last job without slapping someone. All my coworkers were female and sadly many of them were so CATTY.

PatientlyWaiting10 · October 2017

@jsl82 Does she currently have a sound machine or anything playing? If not, maybe you could try that? Just something to drown out any other kind of noises that could possibly startle her. Our DD has always thrived on routine, so that's good to stick with that!!

Court11152325 · October 2017

How far along are you? 8+3

How old are your other kids? 22 months

Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now?
I'm pretty nervous about having 2 kids at once. How do you do it??

Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM: I'm excited for dd to have a sibling

GTKY: Tell us about a time in your career when you were super proud of something you did. I just had an article accepted for publication. It's a really great feeling!

tepr14 · October 2017

@mytinc that's impressive! Wow!

@PatientlyWaiting10 I agree with @marcus7676 on removing them from the situation along with repetition, consistency, and patience on your end. It's hard and exhausting but so awesome when you see the growth as they begin to understand!

How far along are you?
7 weeks today
How old are your other kids?
1.5 will be 2 in January
Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now?
Im really starting to overthink and stress about VBAC. I don't want that to overrule this pregnancy and prevent me from actually enjoying it.
Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM:
Excited for DS to have a sibling and to just have another little one. As cheesy as it is I love hearing my sons feet running down the hallway and Im excited for more feet to be added to that sound.
GTKY: Tell us about a time in your career when you were super proud of something you did.
The first time I ever did parent-teacher confrences. Parents can be SO intimidating especially when I first started at 20 which put me being younger than most of them. I was co-teaching with someone who had been there for years and a number of them just wrote me off and didnt take what I said seriously and go speak with the other teacher instead. Finally by Spring confrences I felt like I actually gained some respect and they listened and asked for my advice, perspective, etc. It was a great feeling. It still is today, I have always just wanted what is best for each child. Im willing to work and meet with parents in the middle to reach that goal and to have them see me as a partner and trust me with their child is awesome.

jsl82 · October 2017

@PatientlyWaiting10 she has her sleep sheep, but I was thinking about getting her one that doesn't turn off after 25 or 45 minutes. I'm thinking once the lo arrives the crying all night might wake her.

asun123 · October 2017

How far along are you? 7 Weeks 5 Days

How old are your other kids? 5 years old and 2 years old. Boys

Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now? Staying positive (:

Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM: I am definitely ready for a third child. So excited for my family to me complete.

GTKY: Tell us about a time in your career when you were super proud of something you did. I feel like I'm proud of myself every day for getting up and going to work.

llamamama14 · October 2017

@tepr14 It's natural to really want a VBAC. I felt that way when I was pregnant with #2. I tried to hold loosely to it but it's what I wanted.

How far along are you? 5 + 6

How old are your other kids? DS 2 (3 next month) and DD 14 mos.

Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now? My almost 3 year old has been more intense and willful recently. I'm having to restrategize how I respond and discipline. I'm slowly learning what works with him. Anyone have any advice on strong willed 3 year olds?

Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM: Today I feel a bit nervous about a third kid while the first 2 are still so young. My feelings change every day.

GTKY: Tell us about a time in your career when you were super proud of something you did.

meagster13 · October 2017

@Llamamama no advice but let me know if you figure it out- I'm months away from also having a strong willed 3 year old. Lol

How far along are you? 8+5

How old are your other kids? DS is 2.5

Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now? a little nervous about going to 2 kids. Feeling a little guilty for DS that he wont be the only one anymore. (I cant seem to word this properly but thats the gist)

Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM: we really do want DS to have a sibling and I really like the age difference.

GTKY: Tell us about a time in your career when you were super proud of something you did.

edited because spelling is hard

katykat03 · October 2017

How far along are you? 5 & 5

How old are your other kids? 3 in December

Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now? DD has had a rough week at school. I think she senses the changes coming and is reacting. Hopefully it will pass quickly.

Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM: DD is going to be a good sister. She is very caring when she wants to be.

GTKY: Tell us about a time in your career when you were super proud of something you did. One is quitting a job where I hated going to work everyday. I came home crying almost daily. Two is at my current job (I teach 4 year olds): the owner gives out Love It’s on art projects that she likes in the halls and I have the most. It makes me feel good!

kbrown2385 · October 2017

How far along are you? 8 weeks 2 days

How old are your other kids? 2.5 years

Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now?
Normal 2 year old stuff. Feeling good about where we are at right now.

Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM:
Ready for ds to be a big brother. I think he will be great at it. He’s already such a caring kid, I can’t wait to see him interact with the baby.

GTKY: Tell us about a time in your career when you were super proud of something you did.

=caenis= · October 2017

How far along are you?
Don't know yet. Approximately 6-7 weeks. I need to make an appointment with the midwife ASAP, but haven't felt like it's a rush. We're trying to decide whether to use our previous midwives (awesome ladies but also very expensive) or go with a different practice.

How old are your other kids?

1.5 years (about 20 months)

Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now?

Little guy has been sick this week. He's been needing more snuggles, extra naptime and has been a big grouch. My partner and I are both tired and hoping for a normal schedule soon. Preferably one where we aren't up at 4:30AM with a screaming child.

Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM:

He's such a legit little man these days. Today we went tromping around in the woods and he hid in a bush. I mean, I could totally see him but he sat there, still as a mouse, and let me walk around "looking" for him, calling his name. Then giggled and screeched like crazy when I "found" him. That kind of thing is so much fun.

GTKY: Tell us about a time in your career when you were super proud of something you did.

I've given some presentations in front of pretty big crowds (100ish people). It isn't easy, but I'm glad I've had the opportunity to do it, and proud that I was asked.

Dashaina · October 2017

Well I'm technically 10wks based on my u/s the other day. Thought I was just going into 9. Anyway...
7&5 girls
I love how independent my girls are at this age. I'm really happy to be pg and not doing the 2+ under 3 thing. I think after all the first trimester symptoms even out I'm really going to enjoy having two little helpers who are actually very realistically helpful!

I am really proud of being a stay at home mom. It's a very demanding job and we're on 24/7,no holidays, vacations or calling out sick.

katelynrae86 · October 2017

How far along are you? 6 +1

How old are your other kids? 12.5 months

Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now? My biggest question (or decision, I guess) is in regards to nursing. Part of me hopes we can keep going and eventually tandem nurse while the other half hopes he self weans before then. DS still nurses 4-5 times a day. I'm happy with that for now, and am going to play it by ear. He's a big comfort nurser and still nurses to sleep for his naps (trust me, I've tried a million other things but it is what it is). How would I be able to do that while caring for a newborn too?

Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM: The more I think about D'S being a brother, the more excited I get. He's just gotten to the stage of being interested in his stuffed animals and he loves to pat them and give them kisses. As silly as it sounds, today I thought about him giving his sibling kisses and I teared up (dang hormones!)

GTKY: Tell us about a time in your career when you were super proud of something you did. Pre baby, I was a makeup artist and there was nothing more satisfying than making a woman (or man) feel beautiful or more comfortable in their own skin.

mytinc · October 2017

@MamaLlama14, I have friends that swear by the book "No Bad Kids". You may want to check it out.

Ash9614 · October 2017

How far along are you? 6 weeks, 5 days

How old are your other kids? 11.5 months

Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now? How am I going to handle being a mom of 2 BABIES?! I alternate being excited about what this means when I have a 6 and 7 year old who are one grade apart and can play on the same soccer team. Then I get really anxious thinking about having a 1 and 2 year old and the chaos that will bring.

Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM: See above.

GTKY: Tell us about a time in your career when you were super proud of something you did. Hmmm...this is hard. I have a pretty cool career in PR. Coolest moment- I used to do PR for Chili’s and they do a Create-A-Pepper campaign for childhood cancer every September. Starting in 2007-ish, we’d take a big group up to NYC to hold up signs and get the attention of Today/GMA/Early Show hosts. The last year I did it, we were at Today and Robin Roberts came over and totally had a moment with a childhood cancer survivor (he’d lost a leg during treatment but was the happiest, coolest 9-year-old you’ll ever meet). As a survivor herself, his story obviously resonated with Robin and she was so kind and put on a childhood cancer bracelet and took pics with him - it was amazing! I hadn’t thought about that in a while - made me tear up. Side note - Robin Roberts is drop-dead, slap-your-mama stunning in person. Tall, slim, athletic, great bone structure. Legit could’ve been a model. And her beautiful spirit made her even more gorgeous.

Ash9614 · October 2017

Dashaina said:
I am really proud of being a stay at home mom. It's a very demanding job and we're on 24/7,no holidays, vacations or calling out sick.

Can I be a little nit-picky? This applies to all moms. You should be proud to stay at home - it s super- hard and a lot of people don’t understand what goes into managing a household with little to no adult interaction. That said? Being a working mom is super-hard, too. And while we may get vacations and holidays from our careers, mommy-hood is 24/7 for us, too. And many times it is accompanied with the guilt that our co-workers feel like we aren’t pulling our weight if we choose Mom duties over work duties.

Not trying to start a working vs SAHM debate, but did want to be sure to acknowledge that all of us are working 24/7/365 with no sick or vacation. It’s in the Mom job description.

EDIT: autocorrect got me

skitimes3 · October 2017

How far along are you? 6+3

How old are your other kids?
3.5 and 2
Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now?
My main concern is having 3 in daycare full time.

Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM:
DD, my oldest, did not do well, when DS came along. She was jealous and aggressive. Now that she's older, she's obviously much easier to reason with. I'm hoping she'll have a better experience this time. DS is very gentle and loves babies, so I don't think it will be an issue for him.

GTKY: Tell us about a time in your career when you were super proud of something you did.
I guess it would be when I got certified for my position. It wasn't necessary for the company I work for, but I did it for myself.

dinodna3 · October 2017

How far along are you?

8+6

How old are your other kids?
3 and 16m

Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now? I'm a little concerned about having 3 under 4. There are a lot of weeks I'm alone for a few days at a time because DH travels for work. I hope this LO likes to be worn because keeping up with two toddlers is a handful.

Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM:
DD asks about the "baby in my belly" everyday and it's so sweet.

GTKY: Tell us about a time in your career when you were super proud of something you did.
I worked at a very large, prominent resort before I had DD. I was part of a team that reworked, reprogrammed and organized a multi-million dollar wine inventory. I was the only non-director on the team and did the bulk of the work. It was so rewarding to brainstorm an idea and then implement it.

llamamama14 · October 2017

@dinodna3 my kids are similar ages (3 next month and 14m). DH travels fairly often too. Part of me thinks well at least I know how to handle 2 under 2 now. Part of me thinks I'll never sleep/get a hair cut/ not have at least one kid crying or climbing on me again.

lrichhx05 · October 2017

How far along are you? 6ish weeks

How old are your other kids? 2

Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now? I'm terrified of having 2. When DD was a newborn we would snuggle all day and nap and I know it will be so different this time with a toddler too. The logistics just scare me.

Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM: I've had such baby fever so the idea of having a newborn again does have me really excited. Also I can't wait to see DD as a big sister.

GTKY: Tell us about a time in your career when you were super proud of something you did.

yogamamabear · October 2017

How far along are you?
7 weeks tomorrow
How old are your other kids?
My son will be 6 in Dec
Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now?
Im already going through the mental process of adjusting to two children
Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM:
My son has wanted a sibling for a while and this would be the first biological child for my husband. This would also be our rainbow baby
GTKY: Tell us about a time in your career when you were super proud of something you did.
Being awarded last program year for being my supervisor's "go to" in a crunch/bind

lo0818 · October 2017

How far along are you?
5 weeks 4 days
How old are your other kids?
4 year old son who will be 5 in Feb
Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now? no major concerns. My son is becoming independent and is a big helper so looking forward to having a baby around.
Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM: I'm excited to give my son a sibling. I feel like this child will complete our family.
GTKY: Tell us about a time in your career when you were super proud of something you did.
I presented a poster at a national conference this week. Despite feeling exhausted it went very well! Looking forward to the next opportunity.

knitsandgiggles · October 2017

@basemodel - we are in potty training hell as well. Wes is going to college in pull-ups

How far along are you?
6 weeks, 0 days

How old are your other kids?
4 and 3

Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now?
Really hoping that our son will be potty trained by the time the baby comes along. Sometimes he gets it, other times, not so much.

Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM:
We gave in and purchased a mini-van a couple weeks ago. Best decision we have made in a while

GTKY: Tell us about a time in your career when you were super proud of something you did.
I enjoy small successes everyday at work when I work with the public who visit the library. Helping and easing the mind a person who admits, sometimes with a tinge of shame, that they don't know how to use a computer at all, but need a resume. So they leave the library with that resume, some confidence, and maybe even an appointment to come back to see me for a one-on-one walkthrough with computers.

dinodna3 · October 2017

@llamamama14 Yeah, I pretty much figure I'm never sleeping again. My 3yo wakes up more than the 16mo. I think the hardest part is going to be keeping these toddlers entertained during the hottest months of the year.

pinottoparenthood · October 2017

You guys.... I am at my wit's end with my 4.5 yo. He has always been super emotionally high strung and volatile. He is very introverted and needs his space. He gets very angry and upset when his boundaries aren't respected (even though it's often inadvertent on the part of the other person). He lashes out physically when he gets upset, but usually it's been just towards the immediate family (not that it's okay). This week though he has pushed one friend, hit another friend, kicked his little brother, thrown all the photos in his room and broken glass.... WTF do I even do? He is a sweet kid at heart, he just is not capable of handling his own extreme emotions in an appropriate way. It's making me so sad and frustrated. He is also really mean and physical with my 18 month old and I do worry about the new baby... Ugh :-( I know this isn't exactly answering the post questions but I felt like if anyone knows what I'm going through it would be a s+tm!

pinottoparenthood · October 2017

@jsl82 I've been amazed at what my older son can sleep through! Sometimes he gets woken up but usually he sleeps through the crying. We also keep a white noise.machine in his room . But yeah if one sleeps in until 6:30 in our house the other one is up at 5.... Sooo sleep is not like it used to be haha. Be consistent , you'll get there!

pinottoparenthood · October 2017

@PatientlyWaiting10 I wish I had been "stricter" with ds1 from an earlier age. I am def moreso with Harry (18 months old). I say no in a strong voice and redirect. If he is right with a toy or something I will take it away. Or if he's sitting with me I will put him down on the floor. Obvs I don't try to put him in time out or anything

pinottoparenthood · October 2017

@knitsandgiggles it was SO hard to PT my older son. I tried so many times and rally was determined to do it before he new baby came.. but it didn't happen. However, the final time that I tried, he was ready and it was actually easy! (5th time's a charm haha). So try not to stresa... I feel like they can sense that. ! He'll get it eventually! It sucks though, I can commiserate!

basemodel · October 2017

@marcus7676 RE: potty training, I'm absolutely clueless about how we should have gone about this. DS reached two with none of the classic signs of being ready for potty training (cornering, etc.) but we figured we needed to get the ball rolling anyway. He's always been so easy-going that he has never minded (and still doesn't) when his diaper is wet or dirty, or even leaking. What I think is working well right now is keeping him out of a diaper (just in pants or underwear and pants) while we're at home, and that really helped him understand the connection between the urge to go and getting soaked pants. Lately he's been running into the bathroom of his own volition (and to massive applause). I think patience and not flipping your shix over messes is probably what's doing it for my little one.

manda9485 · October 2017

How far along are you?
6 weeks, 6 days

How old are your other kids?
DS will be 3 in January

Current challenges/concerns about being a STM+ or questions about things your children are going through now?
Other than being really sleepy and trying to keep up with a toddler, I don't really have any concerns. DS just conquered #2 on the potty, so we are officially potty trained!! [yay for no diapers for 9 more months!]

Current joys/successes/or happy thoughts about being a STM:
I'm really excited to be a STM, we really think DS is at a good age and so far he seems really excited to be a big brother.

GTKY: Tell us about a time in your career when you were super proud of something you did.
I am a nurse educator at our specialty hospital, so sometimes I'm challenged by staff to provide new and engaging education, so anytime I can "WOW" them with something makes me feel pretty proud.

llamamama14 · October 2017

@pinottoparenthood Sorry. I relate to the frustration of parenting a kid who acts out. That sounds like a lot. No advice here but I hope you can figure out some strategies.

Re potty training: I've got 2 in diapers (DD 14 m and DS 3 y). Would it be crazy to try to PT both of them at the same time before #3 arrives? Maybe in April when they are 20 m and 3.5? Maybe I'll just plan to PT DS and see if DD wants to join in. Or maybe I'll have 3 kids in diapers...

mytinc · October 2017

@MamaLlama14, the method I used (3 day potty training method) suggested no younger than 22 months. I also think it would be overwhelming to do more than one at a time. No reason you can't work on the 3 year old now so you'd only have 2 in diapers.

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