The 2 (or more?!) Under 2 Support Thread!

[GrrrlWith2Boys]

Post your woes (or joys) here if you're currently tackling 2 kids under 2 (please say i'm not alone!)

DS1 is super wingey today and driving me batty...the slightest thing and he's whining and crying.

Have managed a 10 min walk with pushchair to get out of house. DS1 watching far too much TV, i haven't brushed my hair and the dog won't stop barking.

I need some gin.

You're brave, alicet. Must get around to going out for meals with my two. Not that your description really spurs me on but I have to start somewhere or they'll never learn... I don't know a child-friendly neighbourhood restaurant (especially one I never want to visit again and maybe I ought to wait for the reflux to pass (although we went out to meet my mum today and DS seemed better - gaviscon seems to be making a difference again). )

Sorry if that put you off Chaotica! It's not normally like that - usually ds2 sleeps in the sling and ds1 plays with his cars and eats all his food while dh and I drink wine and eat! Pizza express are great with children - we go at about 5 to avoid anyone without children. Or Wetherspoon pubs are good - the one near us has a big children's area. Good to hear the reflux is improving though...

Hello all.
Is everyone getting Christmas stuff together?
My mum suddenly announced that her and stepdad are coming to stay tomorrow, and they are the only people i haven't got presents for - typical!
DH is going away to a wedding on Friday night, we couldn't find babysitters so I'm here on my own with babies - and - I love a wedding so much cheesy music to dance to.

hello. I was interested to find this thread. Hope its ok to join? I have DS1 2.6 and DS2 8m so not techically 2 under 2 anymore! I posted occasionally on the antenatal thread for April 07 but haven't found much time to post since DS2 was born. I found the first 3 months or so very difficult (actually with both of them!) but once we got used to each other and DS2 started being more settled in to a routine things have got a little easier - beginning to get difficult again as DS2 is on the move and DS1 doesn't want to share!

Not having a good day today (or yesterday) as DS1 has a sick bug and wants to be held the whole time. Just managed to get him into bed and now need to think about some mush for DS2...

I think the thing about 2DCs that no-one can really prepare you for is just how demanding it is looking after 2 such small children who need you ALL the time!

Hi hotlipsmummy! Its so true about it being hard with 2 needing you! I thought I had prepared myself but you can't can you? I have a similar age gap between my 2 boys although they are younger (22 months and 2 months) so I want ALL your tips on coping with 2 little boys!

Hi and welcome, Hotlipsmummy. And thanks for the eating out tips, Alicet. I think pizzaexpress sounds good (not least for the speed of service) and DD loves anything to do with pizza or pasta (and recently started eating olives by the bowl full).

For weaning DS (who is still bf) onto solids, I was thinking of ignoring the mush stage and even baby-led weaning and inventing a new idea: TLW, or toddler-led weaning... I'll just let DD feed him and stand by to stop him choking on anything. I'm sure he'll end up with a balanced diet. (DD announced she wanted cake for breakfast this morning. But then she did eat the toast and cream cheese provided...)

Yes xmas stuff on the go here too, did some shopping with DS today (who will probably miss out due to being almost oblivious to the whole thing he did notice the tree though ). I'll be amazed if everyone gets presents and we have enough to eat. But we probably will.

I feel for you justabout... It's so hard when they won't eat. Despite my last post, DD is usually pretty good but it drives me mad when she gets really picky -- then it usually turns out that she has a good reason and I feel bad. Is he ill or teething, or is he just being mr awkward?

(Forgot to say in the last post that I intend to take this toddler-led weaning thing really seriously and write books and blogs about it -- it is the only way! .)

Hummmm well I am a bit of a routine nazi so was made sure that both boys had a routine (GF!) and we stuck to it.

My biggest life saver has been Cbeebies between 6-7. Would bath DCs and rush them into nightclothes. Put tv on and all cuddle up together in our bed. DS1 would zone out to In the Night Garden and stay silent whilst I settled DS2.

I found lunchtimes the worst for at least 4 months as DS2 would pass out at 11.30 and wake 45ins later in the middle of DS1's lunch. DS1 would then stop eating as an attention seeking tactic. Once DS1 was in bed for his nap it would get slightly calmer as I could then sit with DS2 asleep on me! And maybe shut my eyes myself! Once DS2 managed a 2hr nap (around 5 months) the days got considerably easier.

I felt lucky as DS1 was still sleeping for 2 hours after lunch when DS2 was born so I managed to "get rid" of him! I would make sure DS2 was fed before DS1 woke so it was 1 less BF for him to sit through.

Also we kept DS1 in the nursery he was at when I was working for 3 days a week initially now 2. So I know I cheated! On the days DS1 was at home I made sure we were busy and doing his usual activities as far as possible - and esp getting out in the afternoon (DS2 would have his afternoon nap in the buggy). I found it difficult to get out in the mornings (still do) but I would make sure that I would do something with DS1 whilst DS2 was asleep - and ignore the washing/cleaning/tidying etc. Now DS2 is older I've finally got to the boys having their lunch together in the last week or so. Before that the mornings were a constant struggle of feeds and naps at different times! I always put the baby down in his cot upstairs - a faff to start with but avoids being woken by the toddler.

Another tip that's helped me is having baby toys upstairs and down and having all the things needed for nappy changes in the kitchen to avoid taking the toddler upstairs for every change.

I had some great support from friends to help me with DS1 when I was BF'ing etc and to "hold the baby" when DS1 had an issue. I know I wouldn't have coped without them. So I guess one of my tips would be don't be shy in asking and accepting help!

Even without the arrival of DS2 its been a pretty big 6 months for DS1 - potty trained and now in a big boys bed. DS2 has been plonked on the mat ALOT! I guess this makes for a less demanding baby...

crikey - mammoth post!

DH home and putting DS1 to bed so can post here . DH thinks I am tidying up...

I also have a toddler who is faddy about eating and rake thin on a normal day. V worrying but he does eat when hungry but we have had trips to the step/bed/bribes/rewards etc. All very boring!

at TLW!!! Weaing has been 1 thing easier 2nd time around as DS2 is a porker who LOVES his grub! Except when he's ill or teething and then he eats literally nothing. Or pukes what i do force down. Actually he will always manage a Plum Baby pot...

Chaotica pmsl at tlw and also at cake for breakfast ds1 would have this if he could! Tonight we had an amusing conversation which went:
dh: 'hands up if you love mummy'
ds1: one hand up
dh: 'hands up if you love Adam (ds2)'
ds1: one hand up
dh: 'hands up if you love daddy'
ds1: one hand up
dh: 'hands up if you love cake'
ds1: both hands up and massive beaming smile!!!
Nice to know where we are in his priorities then!!!

hotlips I am a bit of a routine nazi with ds2 too. Totally and utterly winged it with ds1 who found his own routine about 3 months. We would crash out on the sofa with the laptop and telly control in easy reach and he would feed / sleep for hours. Clearly this was not an option this time and when ds2 showed signs of being a constant feeder like his big bro I have to say I changed to ff about 6 weeks. A bit sad about this but it was necessary for us all really. Other than that I already try and do most of what you suggested so good to know it still works! CBeebies doesn't help us though - ds1 is totally uninterested! Will try harder! Def agree about toys and chaging stuff up and down. And I put ds2 to sleep in my hugabub sling so at least we can leave the house and go to the park if ds1 is being stroppy!

Plus I also cheat and have ds1 in nursery 3 days a week. He loves it and it gives me quality time with ds2 and some chill time for me!

On the eating out issue - Giraffe are fantastic for little ones: kiddie friendly menu, crayons at the table, bring kids food first etc. The 1 near us is always manic and we used to go alot before DS2 was born as its at the end of our road! Managed a trip with all of us recently for lunch. DS2 ate his puree and happily watched all the craziness around him and DS1 very happy with his pasta. Must try to go again...

Pizza Express is at the other end of our road and trips there not been quite so successful as DS1 won't eat pizza (what is wrong with him????!!!) but we will perserve for variety's sake.

Evening ,
I cannot keep up with you all, i posted on the first page or two i think and then lost track.

Is Nemo around anywhere?

Am finding 2 under 2 (well DS1 has just turned 2) and DS2 10 months exhausting at the moment, we love going out but it's so cold right now i don't like keeping them out for too long. We don't watch TV either so no Cbeebies here, just Kipper and the odd DVD. I took him to a friend's house today and he didn't even look at the TV even though Mr.Tumble and Granny Murray got us through second pregnancy....

Am debating as to someone to help clean or someone to watch kids for a few hours while i rest or just get on. What do you think?

hi all I also lost track of this thread for a few chaotic days but as we speak they are both blissfully asleep upstairs (result!!! although mustn't speak too soon....)

I also have a faddy eating toddler, v. lucky in that she LOVES fruit and veg, but not so keen on proper meals as such, no need to worry about the healthiness of her food but I do worry whether she's getting enough. Maybe I should actually up the junk food...

Totally couldn't survive without Cbeebies, especially in the mornings when we're all trying to have breakfast, put washing on, empty dishwasher etc etc.

Dh has been off work the last few days which is why it was more chaotic than normal. Anyone else find that too? he just seems to create more mess even than the kids! and I don't get a chance to get on with stuff properly with him around!

all set for Xmas. Had some relatives visit earlier, who DS1 isn't too familiar with...he hid behind my legs with his beaker until he felt brave. Was v.sweet....i liked being his 'protector'

DS1 napping now, and DS2 just dropped off on my lap. Will chuck some wet washing in dryer, make some tea and read some of Confessions of a London Call Girl while i have a chance.

i take it back...DS2 now breastfeeding. oh well!

Hello all. Haven't posted for a few days, as have been weaning dd2 off medised. She had a really bad cough and there is nothing out there for under 1's with baaad coughs. Also having a temp so we gave her 2.5 mls of medised everyu night for about a week and a half. |Now much better and decided to stop the medised and she couldn't sleep. It has take 3 night of very disturbed sleep and I thing (fingers crossed) that she is back on track.

Hello to the new people. Dd1 is currently crying in her cot. She fell asleep coming home from playgroup and now won't go to sleep for her nap. Bugger, because I really depend on her 2 hr naps during the day.

Does anybody elses dc2's have hardly any christmas presents ? I feel awfully guilty, but she is only 5mths !

my youngest has 1 present, a soft newborn toy. why feel bad? they won't know! have only spent £30 on 18mth old, but i know he'll love what we've got him.

dd1 has a kitchen thing from elc so I imagine we will have to drink tea all day on christmas day, what joy. But very cute I should imagine.

Dd1 now getting quieter. It is always a hard decision whether to get them up again if they don't go to sleep. She did it the other day and I put her down twice, and neither times did she sleep, grrrr.

Hi everyone. Having a good day here but that's cos its Wed and I have a nanny for 4 hours on Wed mornings!! Its my only "no boys" time all week so went shopping and got an outfit for our xmas drinks party tomorrow night - hurray! Before I thought I would just about manage something clean! Also DS1 appears to have recovered from the sick bug so I was able to leave him briefly.

DS1 currently in his room reading and chatting to himself. He has dropped his nap now but I am quite strict about "quiet time" in his room for an hour. At least half the time he climbs into bed and falls asleep anyway! However did manage to disturb DS2 on the way up , he is SUCH a light sleeper its maddening. Hopefully he will resettle... as I have lots to do before 40 people come round tomorrow evening!

Moreorless ready for xmas. Still got the food to buy but 90% of presents done. Just need to wrap it all now, the worst bit! We got the elc kitchen for DS1 last year and its a real investment toy. Played with constantly and as 2 toddlers can stand 1 either side, a good toy for playdates. Actually I feel as if we will be swamped with toys this year what with stockings etc. Plus my boys are the only grandchildren on both sides so everyone else buys them tonnes as well. Don't know where I will put it all...

hotlips, we used to live in London, and our Giraffe was mad, but great with kids. Dd1 was 8mths ish and she was entertained by all the other children. They used to cut up cucumber and stuff for her.

Having a good day here too so far. And it's nap time so I just made a xmas pudding which might or might not work (why on earth didn't I do something useful like paint my nails?)

Took DD and DS on a long (for them) walk to feed the ducks (and swans and geese) which DD loved even, when her finger was nibbled by a swan. The only problem is that she keeps running off and I have to abandon the buggy to follow her. So I have to choose walks which are safe with no-one around -- glad I don't live in Peckham any more... (Don't get me wrong, I liked Peckham, but only when I was child free.)

My two don't have many presents either, although DD has more than DS (he has one toy and she will get an elc model house and a few bits and bobs). Last year, when she wasn't yet 1 we just left it to the grandparents, but tbh she was rather scared when all her toys were taken away and replaced with new ones. She'd have preferred the paper and boxes -- it seems quite cruel inflicting xmas on lo's who don't have a clue what's going on. They both love the tree though.

hotlipsmummy -- I hate wrapping presents too...

ChaCha -- I second justabout... as far as cleaner vs childcare goes. Depends what you prefer to do (and what you get to do with the DCs around).

And Beebies is great -- wouldn't be still bf DS without it.