School holidays with newborn

[MaltedMilk88]

Due our 2nd next month, eldest is at school and breaking up about the time due to give birth.
What do we do? Recovery could be a pain if have to have a c section
Already feeling so bad for my eldest that they aren't going to be able to do anything much because of newborns arrival
Any tips to help us navigate until September?!

I don't know many 6 year old who would be happy JUST sitting down and playing nicely with books, crafts and legos. At that age, they are like puppies, they need to run around and spend all that energy.

Holiday clubs
Grandparents
Paddling pool in the garden
Swimming lessons
Play dates with local friends and a picnic in the park
Could you book a holiday for Oct half-term?

@theowlwhisperer I had my third on a Friday night and was back at my desk Monday morning so there's always two 😉

Sometimes op you do indeed just have to get on with it the best you can.

Good luck

What times does your dh work?
Even if he needs to work as self employed, can he start a fraction later or finish earlier?

If so then he could take them out after breakfast each morning for ‘excercise’, bike, scooter, playground, walk in woods etc for 30-45mins. That way he’s used a bit of energy up if you don’t feel like going out out.

But garden play, paddling pool, would be the way to go. You can always invite a friend of yours with own similar age child over to play in garden a few times over the summer. That way you get company, child gets company, and it’s at home.

Do online food order now to stock up freezer with ice lollies for if outside.

After week or two you can probably start going out but local. Short walk to park if nearby or around on his scooter with baby in pram.

When your dh is off he can take him further afield once a week, or when he can drive you all go somewhere like national trust where you can sit with baby in shade if needed and he does the chase child part

I know someone (America, not here) who drove herself home from hospital! She can be the third.

In all honesty though, there is a huge range of recoveries, from ours, to it taking a long time. It's good to be aware of the range though, and not assume they you'll be doing star jumps after 48 hours or bedbound after a month. Everyone is different and the OP would be well advised to have contingencies for if recovery is slow, but not to presume anything.

The average stay in hospital is 1.5 days, about half a day longer than the average for an 'uncomplicated' vaginal birth interestingly.

I’d look around or ask on local facebook for holiday clubs that are the few hours type often run by council or churches. No use for parents who work but just as a change for her.

Activity clubs sprinkled throughout the summer - tennis, general sports, leisure centre days, whatever you can find - so your 6yo can play with other children and be as physical as possible. Ideally 2 or 3 each week through the summer.
Use those days to sleep any second your baby closes his/her eyes.

Be prepared for your 6yo to get a bit clingy. Seeing Mum with a new baby can drive them back into your lap a bit. Work it to your advantage by bunging on CBBC or a Disney film to watch together - you can rest while 6yo is singing along to We Don't Talk About Bruno. (OK, maybe 'rest' is the wrong word, but sit with your feet up.)

It'd perfectly fine to rely on Pierce Film type cooking for a month or so as you all get on your feet. No one will get rickets from spaghetti hoops on toast and a banana for the month of July.

Best of luck! It's not as scary as it looks right now, I promise.

I’ve not had a c section, however it doesn’t take more than half a brain cell to recognise that you won’t be bouncing around a National Trust walk within a week after major abdominal surgery. But this MN, where competitive martyrdom should be an Olympic event.

Do you have a garden? If so, set it up as well as possible. Yes there may be some tv/screen days as well, won’t hurt anyone. Try and have help for those first couple of weeks, the business is not more important than you being able to recover properly, or maybe other family members. Just remember, yes your eldest being entertained and kept busy is important but you’re allowed to recover and rest when you can. There will be many more summers to enjoy.

I think you’ll be okay OP, especially if you are already fit and active! I’ve had 2 c-sections 19 months apart and both were straightforward recoveries. I actually found the second better because I was forced up and out by the toddler. Obviously hikes and things are off limits (including swimming sadly) but gentle walks out will almost definitely be fine. My insurance told me I was fine to drive after a c-section providing I was able to perform an emergency stop so it’s not always the 4 weeks a lot of people think it is. I was comfortably back driving after a week I think.

Try and find activities where there’s lots to do as well as walking around (farms, zoos, softplay etc) including lots of seating along the way. Keep on top of your paracetamol and ibuprofen. You may be like me and feel surprisingly fine until they wear off!

Thank you everyone for your input plenty of food for thought! Feeling less worried about it all now at least

Oh good! Glad your mind has been put to rest a little bit ❤️