Post by EmilieMadison on Jul 18, 2013 14:32:33 GMT -5
A toddler and a newborn is hard at times. A preschooler and a baby/toddler is hard at times. But now that they're older (5.5 and almost 8) I think it's probably easier MOST of the time than just having one, because they occupy each other so much.
i'm going and rereading lazerus's post from the randoms thread like 6 more times so i don't end up rocking myself in a corner.
No no no. Megachoo asked to tell her how hard it was. That's why there are those replies in here. If asked how wonderful it is, I'm sure everyone's replies would be 10x longer.
Here: My girls are the sweetest together and are best friends, even when they get on each other's nerves. You will have two kids to compliment you when you are having a crappy day. Double the kisses and hugs and snuggles. Right when you're missing the feeling of a tiny, chubby hand holding yours, you get another little one to hold. Two people who will think you are the best thing that ever walked the earth and who want to be just like you when they grow up. You'll get mom sandwiched! There's nothing like having that amazing feeling you felt for the first, overwhelm you for the second time. And seriously, it's awesome. It really is The list goes on and on...
eta: oh, and I will add that it's pretty incredible seeing your oldest teaching your baby things that you had taught her when you thought she wasn't paying attention!
GET OUT OF HERE!!!!
Lol.
But not really. The chubby little hand comment made me pregnant already. Thanks a lot!
Well if you want stories of them making each other laugh hysterically, tackling each other with giant hugs, or waking up babbling to each other, I've got lots of those.
Two kids is about 200x the work of one when they are little. BUT! Mine are 4.5 & 3 now, and it would be more work for me now if I only had one. They play together and entertain each other all day long. Built-in playmate. I have no idea what I would do with one expecting me to entertain her all day.
This is our situation too. Mine are also close in age. Right now I'm on my phone at the park. The boys have been happily chasing each other around for an hour. It's hard in the beginning but pays off in spades later on.
The first few months of having two kids was really challenging. Once we got into a good routine, things were a lot easier. My kids are about 1.5 yrs apart, so it may be different depending on the age difference. I had a really hard time adjusting to 1 child and for me, the adjustment from 1 to 2 kids was a lot easier.
Post by melodramatic26 on Jul 18, 2013 14:53:28 GMT -5
It was hard. So hard. But I love it most of the time now. I might not be a good judge though because I often ask my 3 yr old to entertain the baby while I'm doing other things. Lucky, she thinks it's super fun now that she can crawl and play with the rings or drum, etc.
Exhaustion is a joke. So tired, all the time. But I'm glad they are so close in age, I really am. They are a freaking hoot together.
Post by CherHorowitz on Jul 18, 2013 14:56:33 GMT -5
I have 2 boys, 5.5 and 2.5. The first few months were pretty difficult but now they are the best of friends. They are starting to get into more of a fighting stage because my little one doesn't want to be bossed around anymore so that sucks.
I am in an easy place so I say not so bad. There are moments it feels like a zoo around here. Like before dinnertime is nuts. Adding Leo was like a blip on the radar. It was like "oh you haven't been here the whole time lol."
My husband is veeeeeerrry involved. I really think this was why the second child wasn't a big deal. He takes on as much work as I do.
I don't think it's hard with two. My girls are exactly two years apart. It was actually pretty easy to go from one to two. Both girls started sleeping through the night when they were a month old, they nursed like champs, and they are the sweetest sisters ever. We are done with kids though, because I think 3 would be way too much lol.
It was so.freaking.hard. But, a lot of it could be explained by the fact that mine are 16 mos apart.
Our first was such an easy baby. We had the normal first couple months of adjusting, but after that it was really a cake walk. We were fooled into having another so quickly. Fooled, I say! (I have endometriosis, so we were in a hurry anyway, but still). If our son had been born first, he would have been an only child. I'm not even kidding. Fussy, colicky, GERD, you name it, we went through it. With a 16 month old toddler.
Now that they are older, it is worlds better. But there for awhile, yeah. Rough doesn't come close to describing it.
See- this is what I'm afraid of. I feel like with Ollie, we still have a life. We go out with him, take him everywhere, have people over, etc. I'm afraid with two that we'll be done.
Keep it coming!
The second will slow you down for a bit. But as far as having a life I think I am close to where I was now that Leo is a year old.
I have always thought parenting can be as miserable as you want it to bed. Or it can be as fun as you will let it be.
Post by daisyheadmaizie on Jul 18, 2013 15:04:15 GMT -5
Honestly, it hasn't been too bad. Mine are almost 5 years apart though. DD is an amazing big sister and loves to help, so I think that makes a difference. The biggest problem I have is someone always is awake or needs something. DD was old enough that she would go play in her room or the playroom and I could do my own thing. I don't get that downtime anymore, which sucks sometimes. Oh, and for some reason adding one more human has made it so that I have to vacuum or sweep every time I turn around. I don't understand why. Lol
See- this is what I'm afraid of. I feel like with Ollie, we still have a life. We go out with him, take him everywhere, have people over, etc. I'm afraid with two that we'll be done.
Keep it coming!
The second will slow you down for a bit. But as far as having a life I think I am close to where I was now that Leo is a year old.
I have always thought parenting can be as miserable as you want it to bed. Or it can be as fun as you will let it be.
We have been going just as much as we were before DS was born. Dance class multiple times a week, farmer's market, swimming, the zoo, picnics at the park, errands, dinners out, and so on. DS is chill and has adapted to being on the go. Some times it takes a little more planning or we have to go after morning nap or whatever, but in the grand scheme of things it really isn't a big deal.