does anyone have a link to the article? thanks!

It did ring a few bells for me, more along the lines of how my tiny cute toddler was now this massive hulking pre-schooler, as others have said.
I also went out of my way to make sure DD1 didn't feel left out/pushed aside as I figured (in my sleep deprived addled mind) that she was more of a danger to teh baby than the other way round, so DD2 got a lot of foot bouncing in the chair and fed and then put down so DD1 could have a cuddle.
I do love them both equally but slightly differently though, although I feel that is down to their ages and being differently capable fo thigns.

Good article though.

Can I please clarify, after my last post, that I love both of my children very dearly indeed and also feel very positive thoughts about both of them far more often

Liath I hope you don't think I was being flippant.

I didn't mean to be harsh, I was merely trying to point out that many of us have feelings towards our children which are less than charitable. It is obvious that after the birth of a new baby, with all the stress and sleep deprivation comes with it, emotions are bound to be a little off kilter.

It does not mean that you have a major problem, are a bad mother or is a serious issue.

What articles like this often do, rather than normalise such feelings, make you feel like you have an issue or condition which is so extraordinary it is worthy of national comment.

In my humble opinion mumsnet is a far better. You come on here, say that one of your children has been annoying the hell out of you, a couple of other people say 'yeah mine too' and we all get on with our days.

Please don't think I am trying to belittle or undermine Post natal depression, I'm not. I'm just trying to say that we have all sorts of feelings everyday and it doesn't mean there is anything wrong with us.

"I suspect this is another example of Guardian journalists over egging the pudding as they can't think of an article this week."

I think that is a little harsh.

My mum kept the article for me to read today as she knows I went through something similar when I had my second child. It rang a lot of bells and had me in floods of tears. I had an easy birth and definitely didn't have PND but my feelings for dd changed almost overnight and it was awful.

What helped was that I had a post natal doula and she did lots of stuff with dd so I wasn't stuck with the two of them all the time. Also I was acutely aware of how I was feeling and terrified of ending up like my Granny who has always blatently favouritised my uncle over my mother and cause my mum a lot of hurt. Like the journalist I had to force myself to spend time one on one with dd and was able to rebuild the relationship.

I'd imagine that what I and this journalist experienced is not typical though - none of my friends have or my sisters. I was completely unprepared as I never imagined anything coming between me and dd - when I was pregnant with ds I was feeling sorry for him in advance because I assumed that if anything I'd ignore him in favour of the more interesting toddler.......

I'd also question the fact that if she was in such a dark place how did she still manage to pop out the rather chipper book Three shoes, one sock and no hairbrush, 2001). From what I've been told of PND getting dressed is hard work and writing a book, publicizing it and bring it 2 children would be quite a stretch.

I thought it was an interesting article but a bit of a rehash of her book about parenting two children (Three shoes, one sock and no hairbrush, 2001).

I shared some of her experiences in terms of her feelings about parenting two children.

I don't think the journalists were short of something to write about. It seemed to me as if she was just plugging her new book!!!

i fell MORE in love with dd1 because i could see that she was trying so hard to budge along and make room for dd2.
dd2 was prem and although we were only in hospital for ten days i HATED being away from dd1, felt like i had turned her life upside down. she was such a good sport about her new sister, and at 2 and a half could pick her up easily (dd2 only 4lb 1oz so much lighter than the doll she'd bought her sister when she was born). so a few heart-stopping moments on that front but i was the eldest of four so i know that babies are hardy little things and don't get broken by siblings.
i was concerned that i might see dd1 differently after the new baby came along, and i did, but only in the respect that i was even more impressed with her kindness and strength of character. fear not.

I think most toddlers are huge and awkward anyway but having a newborn empahasises that. I only have one dd but i mourn the loss of the newborn stage. nature needs mum to bond with the new baby. it dosn't mean you don't love your oldest. i am a bit snappy with dd when she's being trying as she is capable of far more destruction than when she was small. toddlers need boundaries so don't feel bad about protecting your newborn from the sometimes clumsyness of an older child. in the end everyone will benefit if your oldest learns how to treat the baby gently.