Laura beat me and put her question on Facebook as well (maybe if I put this up on time I would have beat her) but I thought I'd put it here too for those who might not have seen it:
"A question I've been
needing input on lately is how to balance 2 kids. I'm nervous about having
a newborn and another child and that whole adjustment. I'd welcome any and all
advice on that front, if that's the kind of question we're entertaining
here...."
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Haha. I think the lack of answer is an answer itself. :) I also know there have been a lot of answers on Facebook.
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't know the best way to balance two kids. I take it a day at a time. I try to cut myself slack on household chores. Realize you won't have time to do them or if you do actually get them done you'll have a demolition team following behind you.
When both babies are crying I try to help one at a time realizing that I can't help both at the same time.
I try to point out to Porter when Savannah is watching him. I tell them both that they are good siblings to each other.
I think the biggest thing is helping your kids learn to be more self sufficient, so that they don't need you as much. Letting them learn to play by themselves, taking care of those things they are old enough to take care. And explaining to them how things are different, and reminding them they got this much attention (or more) when they were babies. Our kids are a lot more capable than we think they are, and I am continually amazed what they can do when I give them a chance. There will always be an adjustment period while they get used to the change, but when they realize that mom and dad still love them, and the baby isn't taking over, they will settle in.
ReplyDeleteOne of the hardest things for me to deal with when I had Nelson was the length of time it took to nurse. McKay would be all over me or need something or whine...etc. So, I tried to have simple activities for McKay that I could pull out and let him play with while I nursed. I would also turn on shows when I nursed, play card games with McKay, etc. After about 3 months when nursing took A LOT less time, life became easier.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing to prepare yourself for is that the older child will most likely, in some form, display some aggression. Either towards you, other kids, or (most likely) the baby. It is a phase that I think most all kids go through. But it can be very challenging, as it was in my case. McKay had very aggressive behaviors for over a year and I thought that time of our lives would NEVER come to an end! :)
I think the biggest thing I have learned with two kids is that so much of what they do is because of their little personalities, and we have to really try to learn what types of discipline and parenting techniques will work for their individual personalities.
You are all a great example to me with your kids! You ROCK! :)
Thank you guys! I am starting to see some of this aggression in B already... he comes up to me daily and hits me on the belly. I've been sick for a couple of days and he is none too pleased with my lack of playfulness. Makes me nervous for baby time but hopefully we can still find ways to play.
ReplyDelete