What to do with 3 year old?

[newmumlovescakr]

Hi,

I have a 3 year old DD and am pregnant with a DS due later this year. What are fun, memory making, trips to do with my daughter before the baby comes?! Guess I’m just panicking that she’s so amazing and our dynamics are about to change in a way I’m not ready for. Looking to soak up every bit of her before we welcome our new addition. Thanks!

I’m not sure a 3 year old will remember much? I would start encouraging her to enjoy independent play, maybe getting a play tent for her to have her own space, talking to her about sharing. And of course lots of treat times like Saturday mornings for a bun and tea just the two of you.

Just have fun with your 3 yo. Don't fuss over her.

I honestly wouldn’t do that because then there would be a stark difference once the baby comes and you are home more. I would just try to keep everything normal. At this age their favourite thing is often having you sit on the floor and play with them. Keep doing that until the bump gets in the way🫣

We did one "big" trip (London aquarium when grandparents were visiting- massive hit) but actually I wouldn't recommend doing the big trips before DC2 arrives. Just make the most of your time together - cuddles, bedtime, reading together, playing together. The first 6 weeks after the new baby arrives will be tough on you both and having that connection will be important. Once new baby is settled, prioritise some time with just you and your eldest then. Leave some expressed milk with your OH (if bf) and do some special activities for just you both. In our house, it massively helped DD1 emotionally regulate and reconnect with me.

DD1 was 3 when we had DD2. We did a few trips that year - Peppa Pig World, CBeebies Land, Butlins, and Bestival. DD1 definitely remembers them, and it was nice to be able to do the rides with all 3 of us - once you have a baby, one adult has to stay off the ride if the baby can't go on. But we continued going on trips anyway once the baby was born (she was 4 months old when we went to Disneyland Paris).

If you are going to be mostly on your own with the 2 dcs, it's good to get out to bigger adventure playgrounds and larger soft plays while you can, so she can be confident climbing them independently and doing the fireman's poles and zipwires alone, and won't need you to rescue her/give a boost while you are stuck on the ground with a baby in a carrier. My dcs love Hobbledown and some NT playgrounds, and we've visited all the big soft plays in the city. I was lucky as DH was around a lot to split the parenting, but I've seen lots of parents on their own struggle with an older child needing help.