I'm not talking to PSB enough

[belindarose]

DS is 11 weeks. I've noticed that I hardly talk to him. I'm always so busy with DD (3yo), who is such a chatterbox and so demanding of my full attention, that when I have 1:1 moments with DS (nappy changes, feeds etc), I find I'm retreating into my own thoughts and don't talk to him. We have little cooing/ turn taking 'talking' sessions together a few times a day, when dd gives us a chance.

I remember talking to DD all the time. Poor baby DS.

I was the same with DD. Made an effort to talk to her when changing nappies and feeding as felt guilty. Now she's nearly 10 months and we all "chat" with her loads!

Thanks. I always respect what you have to say, Iggly, so that makes me feel better already. He certainly hears a lot of talk, just not directly to him.

thanks belinda! I think the second one always gets less of our attention but that can't be helped. Dd is quite a live wire now and can certainly make her voice heard if we aren't giving her enough attention

Panic not:)
I had DD1 , DS1 13 months later and DD2 12 months after that... needless to say she got minimal attention..

BUT she had built in entertainment in the form of her sister and brother, and we mass cuddled:) I don't think she even got nappy time alone with me in the early months!

However she is well adjusted and assures me she isn't going to need therapy for my awful parenting

Thanks! We did used to joke that we weren't going to talk to the new baby, lest he turn out as vociferous as his sister. Seems like it wasn't such a joke after all. I'm already loving the interaction between them. He follows her with his eyes around the room and makes noises in her direction. Very cute.

Same here - ds2 (4mo) barely gets a chance against ds1 (3.5)'s constant 'mummy what's this' 'mummy why? But why but why?'

When ds1 is at nursery I make an effort to talk to much more and he always immediately giggles and responds which makes me feel bad that he's missing out the rest of the time but ds1 does talk to him quite a bit so maybe that makes up for it even if it is usually 'no baby X you mustn't put that in your mouth' and then 'mummmmeeee baby X isn't listening to me'

DD starts preschool next week, so DS and I will get a bit more time together. Lindsell, your DS1 made me smile. DD has told tales about the poor long suffering dog and the baby today, both of whom have also been blamed for a variety of misdemeanours.

Oh glad It's not just me! DS is 20 weeks and always overshadowed by v v chatty DD (2.10). But she adores her baby and it is lovely to watch.

When DD was a baby she probably got too much attention and I was always worrying if I was stimulated enough etc. Will start taking DS to groups etc once he's a wee bit older to ensure some dedicated one on one time.

*dur DS is 10 wks, not 20. See I don't even know how old the poor neglected baby is!

I have to check the calendar to be sure!

Trust me, all it means is that your PSB will, when the time comes, make extra sure his voice is heard .

Sorry, that was flippant. But on a more serious note, my second boy (24 months) is already much more confident, outgoing, well-adjusted and independent than DS1, and I'm sure that this is in large part due to the fact that he's left to get on with it quite a lot of the time. Also, don't forget that your son will learn to talk by hearing you talk to DD - in fact, he may be exposed to more conversation than your daughter was - it doesn't really matter that it's not all directed at him!!