Parenting top for two under two

[Jvg33]

Please can you pass me your wisdom for this difficult time. My toddler is particularly challenging. I feel at the moment my own personal goals have been put on hold.

A sling is your best friend!!
My DC1 & DC2 are 16 months apart.
I would feed and change DC2, Chuck him in a sling, a couple of minutes pottering about and he’d be sparko until his next feed which left me with both hands free for DC1.
I don’t know how I’d have survived without a sling!

There's only so much you can do, so just handle the greater need first. If one DC has to wail for a minute while you tend to the other, remember: "This is where they learn life lessons like how to share and wait their turn”.
Try to get your eldest to nap in the afternoon when you baby naps. When the baby’s napping and he’s quiet too, don’t do housework! Just sit and space out. Stare at a wall. Listen to music. Close your eyes. Read a magazine.
Try to involve your toddler in caring for your baby if you can. He might be able to help you out with nappy changes by passing you the wet wipes or a new nappy. My toddler was surprisingly helpful. He entertained the baby, and got stuff when I was stuck on the sofa nursing. His chatter and questions also made for interesting conversations.
Take a walk every day. Even if it is -3 degrees out. Toddler needs it and baby can be well wrapped.
Get your toddler their own baby doll complete with nappy that can be changed, change mat, toy bottle etc. They can parent their baby just like you.
Instead of having one enormous bag where everything you need ends up at the bottom, get two smaller initialled bags - one for each child.
If you didn’t get a bath seat for your first child, then make sure you definitely get one for your second! It means you have your hands free so that you can wash your baby and your toddler at the same time.
Save yourself from traipsing up and down the stairs with both kids in tow and get a changing station for each floor of your home. Buy a really cheap changing mat and stash it underneath your sofa to keep things tidy.
Get a Thermos mug - the chances of you finishing a hot drink before it cools down to room temperature are slim to none.
Even if you already have a baby monitor, you’ll want to consider upgrading to a monitor that supports two cameras.
Put together a ‘busy box’ with some toys which will occupy your toddler when you’re feeding your baby.
Consider getting a high chair which supports a newborn so you can put the baby in it without worrying about your toddler poking its eyes out. Useful when you need to pee.
Use a sleep trainer clock for your toddler.
TV is fine, don't worry about it. And the house doesn’t have to be clean and tidy all the time. Don’t feel guilty!