How do you cope with 2 kids under 3?

Spendless

My eldest had just had his 3rd birthday when my youngest was born and though I found 2 children more than double the work of one, I was grateful that the eldest wasn't old enough to be in f-time school or nursery so no pressure on me to be up and out 5 times a week. Eldest did attend a private nursery and a pre-school but these were 2-3 times a week, so i could get myself more organised on those days instead of having to be prepared every single night of the week.

When I came out of hospital after having DD my hubby had boght a dishwasher that's still proving to be a godsend 7 years later.

bylromarha

Haven't read the whole thread, but I had 2 under 2.

The thought of it is FAR worse than the reality (even now I look back and think did we really do that?!). Practically, we are a routine family, so both mine had lunchtime naps - that part of the day was bliss, and if your eldest still has a lunchtime sleep, try to put baby down at the same time for a nap as the hour or two in the middle fo the day is wonderful. Also, you're now used to getting up in the middle of the night, so baby feeds are not as much of a shock to the system second time round.

You need to accept sometimes they will both cry at the same time. Sometimes you can't meet every need and you're putting out fires in order of priority. Sometimes the older sibling will NEED your attention, so you leave baby in a dirty nappy for longer than you would like to. Sometimes you will be tearing your hair out as it's one of those days. Sometimes (if you breast feed) your nipples will get soooooo long as baby is feeding and you need to rush to stop toddler doing something and you forget to break the latch inyour urgency.

And most times you will look at your family and think and they just perfect. I'm sure you'll be great and find your own way through it.

Lalaladybird

bylromarha wrote: »

Sometimes (if you breast feed) your nipples will get soooooo long as baby is feeding and you need to rush to stop toddler doing something and you forget to break the latch inyour urgency.

I'm laughing at that image of me with rubber nipples a few months down the line :rotfl:

I'm loving reading this thread and learning from all of you. Thanks you for your posts everyone.

I've gone into nesting mode I think so maybe the baby is due soon :think:. I've sorted out drawers and wardrobes and cleared the clutter as much as poss. I've bought in more joggers and t shirts and socks for my dd so I will always have something to dress her in without having to worry too much about keeping the laundry up to date. Will do the same for me too. I'm going to try to write out a flylady style cleaning rota and include a few jobs for OH on it. He's great for helping around the house so I've never wanted to specifically ask him to do anything but maybe that time has come as we'll both be happier if the house isn't too disorganised.

I need to think about bulk cooking and freezing although the thought leaves me cold. In my current state it all sounds like too much hard work.

Your thoughts and ideas and experiences are helping me work things out a lot...keep em coming

Lala x

delain

I had three within 21 months (twins) and I managed. Now I can't imagine what I did all day before!

You will be fine

meritaten

Lalaladybird wrote: »

I'm laughing at that image of me with rubber nipples a few months down the line :rotfl:

I'm loving reading this thread and learning from all of you. Thanks you for your posts everyone.

I've gone into nesting mode I think so maybe the baby is due soon :think:. I've sorted out drawers and wardrobes and cleared the clutter as much as poss. I've bought in more joggers and t shirts and socks for my dd so I will always have something to dress her in without having to worry too much about keeping the laundry up to date. Will do the same for me too. I'm going to try to write out a flylady style cleaning rota and include a few jobs for OH on it. He's great for helping around the house so I've never wanted to specifically ask him to do anything but maybe that time has come as we'll both be happier if the house isn't too disorganised.

I need to think about bulk cooking and freezing although the thought leaves me cold. In my current state it all sounds like too much hard work.

Your thoughts and ideas and experiences are helping me work things out a lot...keep em coming

Lala x

why make a chore out of it? just do double your usual amount of easy meals (casseroles, curries, pasta or potato dishes) and freeze the excess! its a little more expensive for a while but worth its weight in gold when youve got supper defrosting and the baby is fussing and the little one needs attention.
tip - if mum or MIL or close friends ask how they can help ...........a very good answer is - oh I love your ...........casserole, stew or whatever, you couldnt make one for me to have tomorow/put in freezer, could you???
hun, they would be so flattered you may even get two!

bylromarha

Lalaladybird wrote: »

I'm laughing at that image of me with rubber nipples a few months down the line :rotfl:

OH says its more for him to play with!

Regarding food, I'm part of a church and we organise that families with new additions get meals for the first 2 weeks of babies life. I dropped a sausage casserole round to a friend last week for her freezer (and just heard she went into labour today - woohoo!) and made a chicken and sweetcorn pie tonight for a family whose 3rd was born on Thursday and I'm on the rota for their food tomorrow.

We found it amazing, being the recepients, having proper home cooked food when our brains hadn't thought beyond food and sleep and how many cuddles can we give this gorgeous bundle? I don't think you should rush out and join a church OP, but it's more of an appeal to the rest of us reading this thread that we can take round a meal to a family with a new baby. Don't wait to be asked, just do it. It will certainly be appreciated.

pandora205

I had two under three and eventually three under five. It was hectic but as others have said, you become more relaxed second time around and don't worry so much and the baby fits around the routine. I had a stroke of genius just before my second was born and phoned the local college to see if any nursery nurse trainees needed a home placement. This resulted in a six week placement of a student just after my son was born. It was lovely and gave me some time with him while she played with my two year old daughter, and also was great that she was so interested in the baby's development.

Something that happened naturally was that we slimmed down all the equipment we had, especially when travelling. First time around the house looked like a Mothercare shop, full of stuff.... By number three, I'd given up on the baby manuals and quirky bits and pieces and could make a quick trip to the shops.

Finally, much as it is lovely to be with young children, adult company can be a real rock. I did the whole coffee morning thing with NCT groups locally, made lots of friends and had ready made friends for the children. And when I was at home, I got hooked on Radio 4 for company!