Spin off: 2nd child, what would you....

[october]

Just like the other thread on what you would have liked to have been told before your first, what is your best advice for going from one to two?

[Made in England]

subscribing as I'm currently pregnant with number 2!

[MumDadBoyandGirl]

I'm subscribing too.. Me thinks it shall be interesting.. :-p

[grumpysmurf]

to throw everything i already know about parenting right out the window lol.
and i wish id had a closer are gap between #1 and #2

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[2Bboys]

To not sweat on what's 'right' or 'wrong' and just go with your babies flow.

I spent far too much time worrying what I should or shouldn't be doing the first time around and didn't really get to enjoy those precious early months.

Seriously, newborns are blardy easy. Eat, sleep, poo. No toddler negotiations to deal with!

[IndigoJ]

Every child is different and needs to be parented different. What works for one doesnt work for the other.

Being sleep deprived the 2nd time is easier to handle.

[Zombie_eyes]

That your first child will adapt to having to share you, thats your not a bad parent if u cant do everything u used to with one.

[tootiredtosleep]

I wasnt prepared for a challenging bub, DD1 was sooo good I thought the 2nd time around would be easy!
I never wanted to, but I've had to parent DD2 differently in some ways, I thought I knew a lot since I already had a child, but I was wrong.

I remember being pregnant and worrying how I would ever love my 2nd baby as much as DD1. Even though DD2 is challenging it wasnt a worry, once I had her I just "found" all this new love for her.

[LoCo]

..........

[jake's mum]

Just over a month of being a mum of two...

To tell #1 in advance about the baby and prepare them for the arrival, and being looked after by grandparents or whoever whilst you're at the hospital.

To include them in looking after the bub - DS1 feels included because he can help - bring nappies, fake burps the baby, singing to him etc.

Make sure you/another important person in #1's life gives them a lot of attention after the baby is born - making sure they don't feel abandoned/less loved etc.

Give them a baby doll and a carrier/pram and nappies and clothes and encourage them to look after "their" baby when you look after the little one and can't play with them.

Talk to them about the baby and them being a big brother/sister

If your #1 still naps - nap with them! Or ask someone to look after them so you can nap with your baby.

Freeze meals for when you just can't cook

Remember that #1 and #2 can be very different and you might have to change tactics. DS1 was easy, DS2 isn't. Your kids might have very different needs.

If you can't get #1 to playgroup/park etc because you're too tired, ask someone to take them if possible.