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MissKimmie · 36-40, F
I find it varies a lot based on the temperment/personality of the older child, as well as a parent's ability to redirect, multitask, and cope with crying. A strict schedule for a toddler, using pictures or images so they understand and know what is next, is very helpful. Especially if you are raising them in a 2-parent house, sticking to a reliable schedule where the older child gets 1-on-1 time with each parent is helpful.
KaysHealingPath · 36-40, F
@MissKimmie thanks
So this shouldn’t be too much more difficult than it was with my older 2 right?
Oldest is going on 17 and middle child just turned 13, they’re 3.5yrs apart
I was very lucky my oldest was an early talker and walker
My middle didn’t talk till 3! Didn’t walk unassisted until a month after he turned 2
(He was born at 35w and he was a preemie but a huge one weighing in at 9lb13 oz)
My baby is 16 months old
He’s babbling but only has like 3-5 words down
Mama, papa, dog, down, and no
lol
So this shouldn’t be too much more difficult than it was with my older 2 right?
Oldest is going on 17 and middle child just turned 13, they’re 3.5yrs apart
I was very lucky my oldest was an early talker and walker
My middle didn’t talk till 3! Didn’t walk unassisted until a month after he turned 2
(He was born at 35w and he was a preemie but a huge one weighing in at 9lb13 oz)
My baby is 16 months old
He’s babbling but only has like 3-5 words down
Mama, papa, dog, down, and no
lol
MissKimmie · 36-40, F
@KaysHealingPath It largely depends. Different toddlers will respond to new siblings in different ways. I would consider getting him a toy doll, and referring to it as 'his baby'. That has worked well with my kids in the past, showing them the different ways that babies need to be taken care of and given attention- it also teaches how to accept that such care and time to the new baby will be needed, and teaches them to be a bit patient with it, and to learn to be gentle when handling the baby. Some days will be harder that other- toddlers still have grumpy days, of course, and dealing with a grumpy toddler will always be harder with a new baby to handle, at the same time.
I would say it is unlikely it will be much harder, unless your toddler has not been properly prepared for or is not good at accepting the new baby. With my two oldest (my oldest was also a toddler when he was born), my older one did not talk too early on, and was actually better at reading by three than speaking, but she was forming full sentences in sign language before the age of one, so if you worry over potential speech issues, I would start with baby sign early to make basic communication easier- because my second oldest was also slow to speak, largely because he had an older sister who understood his baby babble and would translate for him, giving him no incentive to learn. One of the biggest struggles with toddlers is a tantrum because something cannot be communicated. So alternative forms of communication help there, as needed.
I would highly suggest a separate room for the baby, as well. A lot of parents keep babies in a room with siblings, but a toddler will grow to strongly dislike a baby if they cannot get away from constant fussing, crying, or being woken up. Which is also where the importance of parent one-on-one time with the toddler comes in, so the toddler does not feel that the baby has 'stolen' the parents away. A baby and toddler transition becomes far, far easier to deal with when the toddler does not dislike the new baby, or view it as a contest or rivalry. So creating a space where you can be with the toddler, uninterrupted by the baby, is just as important for their relationship as creating bonding time between them.
I would say it is unlikely it will be much harder, unless your toddler has not been properly prepared for or is not good at accepting the new baby. With my two oldest (my oldest was also a toddler when he was born), my older one did not talk too early on, and was actually better at reading by three than speaking, but she was forming full sentences in sign language before the age of one, so if you worry over potential speech issues, I would start with baby sign early to make basic communication easier- because my second oldest was also slow to speak, largely because he had an older sister who understood his baby babble and would translate for him, giving him no incentive to learn. One of the biggest struggles with toddlers is a tantrum because something cannot be communicated. So alternative forms of communication help there, as needed.
I would highly suggest a separate room for the baby, as well. A lot of parents keep babies in a room with siblings, but a toddler will grow to strongly dislike a baby if they cannot get away from constant fussing, crying, or being woken up. Which is also where the importance of parent one-on-one time with the toddler comes in, so the toddler does not feel that the baby has 'stolen' the parents away. A baby and toddler transition becomes far, far easier to deal with when the toddler does not dislike the new baby, or view it as a contest or rivalry. So creating a space where you can be with the toddler, uninterrupted by the baby, is just as important for their relationship as creating bonding time between them.
SW-User
15 months between my eldest two. They kept me on my toes and there were times I thought I'm not going to survive this without a permanent shift in my sanity but I got organised and one step ahead of them.... And I can function relatively normally at times now when the twitching and flash backs stop.
KaysHealingPath · 36-40, F
@SW-User 😅😅😅😅🥰❤️ TY
Selah ·
Are you worried?
KaysHealingPath · 36-40, F
A little, I mean we did say we were open to having 1 more. BUT weren’t trying. @Selah
I think I’m more worried that I might miscarry than actually having 2 babies in the house.
I am having a lot of cramping and in my experience doctors don’t try and stop miscarriages in the first trimester
Im 5 days late and the second pink line on the test is super lite
I think I’m more worried that I might miscarry than actually having 2 babies in the house.
I am having a lot of cramping and in my experience doctors don’t try and stop miscarriages in the first trimester
Im 5 days late and the second pink line on the test is super lite
RedBaron · M
There’s a saying that god and paying the fare gets you a bus or train ride.