Yo Dads! I'm new to the board.....

[JimbobJones]

Hi, Just thought I'd announce my arrival on dadsnet. Due date of baby #2 was yesterday and DW is fed up that baby has not come out yet! DW is a veteran of mumsnet and thinks its the best support network she has (other than me that is). We have a 2 year old boy who is sometimes a real handful....nothing out of the ordinary, just being a little lad really. I'm a real believer in common sense and do all the things from a parent and husband point of view that I think are the right things to do (don't get too involved with parenting books and manuals although they do come in handy for certain things) always open-minded though and glad of any help I can get.

I'm just after any good advice you fellas (or ladies) have for a dad to be with a struggling wife and a 2 year old.

Cheers

Oooh a 2 year old boy.
I have one of them and he's a huge handful

Good luck to your dw with the imminent birth and welcome to MN.

Make sure your dw gets plenty of rest. Take your toddler out for lots of high energy games at the park when you can - and help out with bath/bedtime. Do the chores as much as you can - I know it's difficult if you're working full-time as well. I am currently pg with a 19 month old and I'm astonished at how exhausted I am - the fact that my dh loves taking our ds out and helps so much with the household chores is invaluable to me - and stands him in good stead for when i'm less tired...if you know what I mean!

Welcome to MN!

Cheers folk.

Things tick along quite well (I think) at the mo. we're in a good routine and DS has slept through 7 till 7 for 18 months now which is a godsend after the hell the first 6 months were! I think the main concern we have now is how we (especially DW) will cope with a terrible 2's and a new baby.

I kind of do shift work, 8-4 one week, 10- six the next... I go straight out on the early shift but means I have QT with DS from 4:30 onwards till bed time and clean house do washing etc, then on 10-6 shift I get him up everyday, changed, dressed, breakie and playtime till I go out whilst DW has a lie in with a brew. Then I get home in time for DS bedtime story and clean house...something I have become very good at and gets done quite quickly . I take DS out on saturday mornings.. doing the recycling, shopping and to the park. Then on Sunday morning I take him swimming which we both love. DW gets a rest listening to the Archers, drinking tea and have a bath etc.

I'm having a month off leave when baby comes (2 weeks off, 2 back working and 2 weeks off again). DS went to chilminder one morning a week but has just stopped cos she did things we didnt like/too expensive, My parents retired but live 1 hour away and not self-starters when it comes to child care so we dont have them looking after DS (were just not confident in them, but signs recently a bit more promsing). Parents-in-law still work, are good with him, but busy busy people and help out rarely.

Basically we will be ok when I'm off, but am worried about DW when I am at work when she has her wotr cut out with 2 litte 'uns.

Any help/advice/tips extremely welcome