Now I have two: what to do?

[Cbell]

So now I am mama to two children ( DD 2.6 yo and DS 6 days).

I know it's too early to be thinking about routines but my hubby goes back to work in two weeks and I'm slightly terrified.

What made it easier for you? Any tips and advice?

I am planning on trying to get out each morning with them but I'm wondering how on earth I make that happen!? Similarly confused about how to feed, bath and put them to bed.

Firstly for me it did help to get out the house, even if its just a walk around the block for the toddler.
Secondly a lot of people said this to me, that it is ok for the toddler to watch more cbeebies than you would prob like..and don't feel guilty for this.
Good luck, have fun and enjoy them.

Watching this thread with interest as in a similar boat! DH has just gone off on. 10 day work trip leaving me with a 6 week old and a three year old and I feel your pain/ trepidation. To offer something at least as my keep for being in your thread Cbell I have found that with feeding its not so bad as long as you're not too fussy. Plenty of finger foods for the toddler, so pasta salads, fish fingers, etc and pretend (or real) picnics with hard boiled eggs, cucumber, carrots sticks, grapes etc, ( sometimes on a picnic blanket in the living room for added effect) so I can feed newbie while 3 year old feeds herself. It's the sleep that's getting to me. Usually 3 year old is eating/ busy doing something when newbie wants to settle for sleep, and he won't settle alone. No solutions as yet!!!

I have an almost 21 month age gap and have found routine to be a lifesaver in minimising stress. I have drawn up a visual routine for DS with all the things we do each morning and at bedtime and we have meals and snacks at particular times each day.

to get out of the house with both to start with I used to get all their clothes and nappies etc ready the night before, and mine too. I also used to pack my bag with snacks and drinks and spare clothes, get them dressed straight after breakfast and most days just go even if we had nowhere particular to be.

IME the hardest things have been getting the baby to sleep while the toddler is awake (walks meant she could sleep and he had my one-on-one attention) and being stuck in the house was very stressful..I know some people find it less so but DS is very energetic shall we say and so it's been so much easier to take them both to a toddler group and head home when it's time for lunch and naps (one is finally synchronised, yay!)

the other thing I wish I'd realised sooner is toddlers don't like to be rushed. so if the baby is fussing for a nap and I know the only way she'll get to sleep (and not be woken by him) is on the move I just pack what I need and go..I don't bother stressing about getting DS's shoes on when I know he'll just mess about and run off, I just stick him in the pushchair and put them on later.

you'll probably only find what works for you after a few months because your children are individuals with different needs to anyone else's but I think organisation is probably the key to it staying together. best of luck

We went out today for our first family outing with my DH and I realised it is simply a two person job. Two children = two adults, right!