Oh baby! What am I getting myself into?
July 20, 2010 by Shannon
Everyone tells me my life is about to change dramatically. That two children don’t just double your workload – they triple or quadruple it. I wonder if I’m prepared.
I’ll be hauling a diaper bag again. I’ll be hauling a baby carseat again. I’ll be doing all this while trying to corral a busy three-year old. I know it’s possible – I see parents do it all the time – I just don’t think I’ve mentally prepared myself for what’s ahead. I’m only just thinking about these things a few days before my due date! Of course, I’ve had other things on my plate lately…
So what do I need to know, friends? What am I woefully ignorant of? If you’ve got advice, warnings, or just a plain ‘ol reality check for me, I’d like to hear it.
(Just don’t try to freak me out too much, okay?)
Comments (8)
I don’t have a clue about how to deal with more than one kiddo either. But it must get easier over time.
According to my mother-in-law, who had 10 kids, “After four it’s just another one.”
I didn’t pay close enough attention in college economics, but maybe she meant that economies of scale apply to families?
I guess I could also try to apply the “law of diminishing returns” but my husband, child number 10, would probably take exception.
I was told, when I was pregnant with my second, that having two kids doesn’t double the workload - the workload increases exponentially!
One tip I was given that I still keep in mind is that whenever you have to be somewhere at a specific time to allow 10 minutes per kid to get out the door. So if you have to be somewhere at 9 and it takes 30 minutes to be there, start heading out and loading up the car at 8:10.
The first few months are the hardest. Once the younger child gets mobile and the kids can interact and play more it gets a lot easier. Good luck and enjoy!
oh, i’m totally with you. i’m due in september and freaking out how to juggle two kids. I’m totally a sleep nazi so it should be interesting scheduling a 3 1/2 year old and a newborn. I’ll be thinking of you. Please feel free to share your tips…I’ll be waiting:)
I won’t bother giving you any advice because I’m only just now starting to feel like I can handle 2 kids & my youngest is 16mos!
The one thing I’d say is to give yourself a break. Seriously. With the 1st kid, life stops for awhile when he’s born. With the 2nd, you’re lucky if you get a couple days’ rest in the hospital before diving right back into the playdates, laundry, etc. I heard one mom say she was up & out w/ her newborn & 3yo days after birth until one day she came to her senses and stayed home in sweatpants.
Good advice, Tami and Abby – thank you!
Nicole and Becky, I’ll be sure to share if I have any big revelations about how to manage two…
Okay everybody, keep the tips coming – I’m sure there’s more I should know!
The most important thing I had to learn going from one kid to two kids was the word NO! Sometimes being everywhere with all your friends and playdates etc. just can’t happen. The first couple of months we stayed home ALOT! It was just easier. But as my daughter got older and could sit in a high chair or be happy sitting in her stroller it was much better. I will not say the transition is easy by any means but you do get through it and before you know it you youngest is 1 and your oldest is 4 and the struggles of the past year are a memory! My two are the same years apart as yours will be. My son was the BIGGEST helper when she was a newborn and very protective! That also helped. Let your son help you as much as he can. That seemed to tame the jealousy issue in our house. My son would get the diaper or the powder or the paci etc. Congrats on your new addition!!!
I have nothing to add on the kid front, but what I can add is that when you do need a break, I’m totally available for a chat!! Call anytime to talk, vent, laugh, talk about the good ol’days of our wild aventures of Fox 12 and then hitting the happy hour scene afterwards…whatever you want! I know you’ll do just fine! Just remember to give your self a break and not put so much pressure on yourself….I seem to remember gett that advice from you at my bridal shower….ah…how things come back around….
xoxo! Miss you!
Meg
Do your grocery shopping at night. Don’t take them with you, it’s too hard. Go easy on yourself, don’t over-schedule your life. See if Kellan can have play dates with Grandma and Grandpa or a friend once in a while. Once you have two, when you get to have only one for a little while it seems like such a break. Enjoy them, they are only this little for a fleeting moment. You’re going to do great.