Things you wanted your toddler to do before the newborn...

[DC1stTimeMummy]

What would you say are the main things you wanted your toddler to have been able to do (independently) before the little one came along?

It depends on their age. My DD1 was not really a toddler at 3yr 2 months but go to the toilet independently including wiping own bottom, get dressed, help herself to fruit from the fruit bowl, put on own shoes and coat. All things she needed to be able to do for school nursery anyway. Going to sleep by herself would have been ideal but she wasn’t ready for that yet.

What age? There's a huge difference between say 18mo and 2.5.

Babysit.

Sleep through the night.

It's very age dependent.

If you're going to use any childcare/nursery/pre-school I would want them settled before the baby arrived. That one is true for all ages.

Toilet
Self settle
Sleep through
Make me a cuppa

My main one was being able to climb into his car seat. I knew I would be having a section and could drive after a few weeks but wouldn't be able to lift the toddler for months.

Walk. 14 months between them. He did.

@DustyMaiden

Babysit.

This 😂😂😂

I have a 21 month old gap and hoped my older one would keep his regular nap which he did and it was brilliant. He then dropped the nap when my baby started sleeping through the night so although the days were then busier I was sleeping well and finding things manageable.

Self settle, sleep through the night, pull down own pants/climb onto toilet/wipe/wash hands etc, put own coat on, take shoes and coat off, climb into car seat and entertain oneself for periods of time.

Luckily DD just turned 3 does all of this now (was 2.9 when DD2 born). She also rather helpfully answers the phone and door while I’m feeding the baby! When the health visitors called re DD2’s faltering growth DD1 happily said ‘Mummy’s feeding the baby now because she needs to get fatter. Can you call back later?’ 😂