help! He doesn't listen to me anymore

[Misty9]

Ds is 2.8 and his baby sister is 3wks. He has always been such a sweet boy and generally quite biddable and amenable. Until recently. He now seems to completely ignore what I say, especially if it's enforcing a boundary. It's alright while dh is off but he's back at work in one week. How am I supposed to look after both when one ignores me?! Dreading needing to feed when out, he'll just leg it!

Any tips? Will it be as bad as I think?

My little one is 9 weeks and DD is 2.7 years so I'm in a similar position.

I freaked out a bit taking them both out, ie to the park when baby starts screaming and DD needs help on a climbing frame etc... I think now baby's feed times are more predictable it's a bit easier to prepare for.

We got a (life saver) double buggy and if needs be can strap DD in while feeding DS, if you haven't got one, sticking older one in high chair or bribing them with a snack or magazine to stay in one place might work.

It does take a bit of getting used to but I'm already finding it so much easier. Only really swimming and soft play I can't manage on my own.

Plan some small outings first to get the hang of it.

I found I had to change my tactics and think creatively about ways to get DD to do things since it was so much more difficult to just pick her up and put her in the bath, for example.

I use a lot of reverse psychology "You don't want to go to the park? Okay, we'll go without you." As for running away I have to be really strict with reins as a consequence, or if all else fails, toddler in the buggy and baby in the carrier.