Worried about coping...

Pink_butterfly_3

Hi there

I'm a long time lurker but this is my first post!

I'm currently 8 and a bit months pregnant, which is scary enough as it is, lol!! I also have a 13 month old dd and i'm really worried about how we're gonna cope!!

Will i ever sleep again??

I've been under alot of stress recently (we got married last month and we've just bought out first house!), also i've had a dental abscess this week - oh dear god the pain!!!! This lovely combination has made me a bit down so any reassurance would be greatly appreciated!!!!

Thanks xxxxxxxxx

viktory

Congratuations! :j

You'll be fine. It may be tough for a wee while but the new baby and your DD will more than make up for it.

Remember to grab sleep where and when you can and accept all the help that is offered.

Good luck!!

Bossyboots

Agree with viktory.

A week before I had my second baby I suddenly had this awful panic and couldn't imagine how I was going to cope. I had the same thoughts about sleeping. How on earth was I ever going to get any sleep. I was in a real state.

As it turned out, my second baby only needed one night time feed and that was only for about four weeks after which she slept through the night so all my panicking was unnecessary. My first born didn't sleep throught the night until he was nearly 2!!!!

You do cope when the time comes. Just take each day bit by bit and you will be fine.

twink

you will be fine my dd managed okay and her ds1 was eight in june and ds2 is seven in september, just dont worry too much about housework, tho keep kitchen and bathroom clean and accept any help your offered

Pink_butterfly_3

Thanks very much people xxxxxxxxxxxxx

twink - i've never really worried much about housework, lol!! The house looks like a bomb has exploded in it most of the time.

lovetoshop_2

just cope each day, you will get there. Good luck.

twink

way to go pink_butterfly, people are more important, as long as everyone is happy and healthy, i think we can be too clean nowadays

hobo28

Yep, you'll be fine. Of course it will be tough at first but things will get better.

My partner's two daughter's are about a similar age gap and its wonderful to see how close they are. Mine have a 5 year gap between them and at this age, it makes a huge difference.

Anniek1969

Don't worry about it, you will cope. Just take each day as it comes and you'll be fine. My oldest 2 are 2 years apart and I also looked after my niece who's the same age as my oldest daughter, looking back now I wonder how I coped but you just do. My MIL is absolutely useless when it comes to looking after kids and she had 4, 1st in Sep '66, 2nd Sep '67, 3rd Nov '68 and 4th Aug '71. If she coped then anybody can. Me and my DH (who's her eldest) still wonder how she managed with 4 so close together.

Just try and enjoy them when they're young as they grow up too fast.

Nicki

There is 13 months and 1 week between my two. Everyone thought I was mad, but actually it was fine when they were babies. If anything it was easier to have two in nappies together rather than trying to deal with toilet training a toddler who was already feeling insecure about the arrival of a sibling and looking after a new born, and it was also easier than having twins would be as the older one was able to wait if the newbie needed feeding or changing. It got a bit more difficult when they were 1 and 2 respectively, but this stage didn't last long, and it is fine now, and has been for years (they are now 5 and 6)

One of the things I found very helpful was to stay in my routine of mother and toddler groups and toddler activities for no 1 right from the moment no 2 was born. No 1 could enjoy himself as he did before and there were always loads of other mums and childminders around who were desparate to cuddle and make a fuss of a newborn so that did give me a bit of a break to chat to other mums and have a cup of tea. The novelty factor lasts for several months if you're lucky!

It will be fine - just try to relax and enjoy it, and if that means you need to cut a few corners then do it. It is much more important to have two happy and healthy children, and a happy and healthy mum than ironed clothes and a spotless house.

Pink_butterfly_3

Nicki wrote:

There is 13 months and 1 week between my two.

Thanks for your post. Its nice to hear from someone who has had the same experience!

Thats almost the exact age gap they'll be between my two!! What did your eldest think of the new arrival?? Did they just take it in there stride?