Moms of 2+

[turtlegirl]

Semi manageable at 4 months and pretty easy by 6 months.

I totally feel you. I solo parent 2-3 nights a week and there is no predictably for bedtime right now. Since DD doesn't really have a set bedtime or schedule uet, I try to focus on keeping the boys on their bedtime routine as much as possible and just dragging the newborn along for the ride. Sometimes she's napping and it's easy, sometimes I'm wearing her, I've even nursed her while reading bedtime stories.

[kaycee]

My husband works the 3pm-11pm shift a lot, so I'm on my own in the evenings. A couple of nights ago it was so terrible that I had no idea how I was going to survive. I lowered my expectations and it got better. I think it will get a lot easier when DS can sit independently. Or at least hold his head up.
I keep trying to give myself a lot of slack. We didn't have our babies that long ago! I was a full wreck until about 12 weeks with my DD and I only had one kid then. You are an amazing mom and all you can do is try the best you can.

[Deleted]

Probably around 6 months or so. Baby needs to get over the witching hour(s) first. 

[Deleted]

this thread scares me. :/

[rugbywife]

I did two bed times early on in Ps life and after that I told DH he had to be home for bedtimes.

[suzubell]

Lots of tv and other bribes help make it easier. Screen time restrictions are non-existent when you are running a zone defense.

[shelbyann]

Oct 12, 2015 6:46:20 GMT -5 @myblue said:

this thread scares me. :/

Me too. :/

Over the weekend my H was talking about how he was probably going to have to increase his international travel next year, meaning lots of 2+ week stretches of solo parenting a toddler + young infant for me. I am honestly not sure how I'm going to survive.

[steph2008]

Emerson is 12 weeks tomorrow and is just starting to get an earlier bedtime (been 7:30 all week, trying 7 tonight bc she's cranky by 7) and it feels better now. Not gonna lie... I was solo all last week and I was miserable LOL but it's getting there!

[pescalita]

Once the little one could be put down w/o screaming, it got better, so 3 mos-ish, once the newborn stage was done.

Evenings solo still require advance notice, planning and mental prep. They almost never involve baths and rarely a dog walk.

I'm sorry it's rough.

[Deleted]

Oct 12, 2015 8:08:37 GMT -5 shelbyann said:

Oct 12, 2015 6:46:20 GMT -5 @myblue said:

this thread scares me. :/

Me too. :/

Over the weekend my H was talking about how he was probably going to have to increase his international travel next year, meaning lots of 2+ week stretches of solo parenting a toddler + young infant for me. I am honestly not sure how I'm going to survive.

My H is going to be starting a new job in January with a longer commute and longer hours...nighttime routine is going to fall to me, I fear....at least we are in good company! 

[moopoint17]

This is why H and I try not to leave the other alone at night. Which fucking sucks. But it also sucks not to have a life outside of our kids.

But on the rare occasion that we're doing bedtime solo, I'd say it was easier when ds2 couldn't crawl/walk. But then it got impossible once he could - one child would go one way and the other would go another way. At 19 months it's a little easier but bedtimes are usually later than normal (and there's more tv involved).

[GotWine]

You have my sympathies. It's definitely an adjustment. Ds is 9 months old but with his delays it's like he is much younger.

Bathing both kids on my own only happens if they both absolutely need it, like food crusted in their hair or something equally obviously dirty. Then I just sort of triage the routine. If dd had a good nap and is behaving then she goes to bed after I get ds down, if ds is acting like he is restless and won't be falling asleep anytime soon then he just comes along with me while I get dd tucked in and stuff.

When dh is gone I just do whatever I can to make my life easier, we can divide and conquer when he is home, so we only have a real routine on those nights.

Morning routine and bedtime routine are equally stressful and challenging for me.

[hski2349]

It is up and down. Some nights are easier than other. The thing helped was wearing the baby, and helping DD1. Then if I needed to nurse, I would nurse was DD1 was eating or watching something on the Ipad or reading.

[pinkpeony08]

Ive only had to do it alone a handful of times, but I got out a new sticker book for my toddler, which helped keep her occupied. That or turn on the iPad or a video. It's all about survival. And when you do it, you will feel like super mom. Like all the other phases with babies... I just remind myself that no matter how bad, this phase will end soon enough. If you can get any help... do it.