How will I entertain my 2.5y DS1 at home when my DC2 will be born?

[toja555]

I just found out that I am pregnant with my DC2 that is due in November. My DS1 will be 2.5 years old by then. DS1 currently goes to childminder full-time and absolutely loves there. Every weekend passes with him talking about the childminder and his friends there, and how he misses them over the weekend.

However, before my DC2 is born, I will have to withdraw DS1 from childminder because we will not be able to afford it at that stage. I am dreading that then will be winter, we will stay mostly indoors, I will not be able to entertain my DS1 as good as my childminder, and he will be bored and eventually not happy. I feel utterly guilty to have to withdraw him from where he loves. I almost regret that I got pregnant although the pregnancy was planned for sake of good age difference between children. I feel that I will ripping my darling DS1 off good experiences, his friends and quality time. Not to mention, that when I go back to work, we will have to look for another childcare as my CM is too good to stay without children.

Please tell me that it is not going to be as bad as I think?.

Oh no! There's always something to feel guilty about as a mum. My son was born in Jan 2009 and my daughter was 17 months old and it was freezing. She did watch A LOT of CBeebies in the early days, it is true. But with Childrens Sure Start centres, Mums and Toddler groups, Library Baby Rhyme Time, and a Zebedee's music group. We did manage to do one thing a day most days that was either free or almost free, interpersed with TV

It won't be as bad as you think. I am sure other mums can pop by with their LO's of a similar age to play with him, or even offer to take your DS1 to the park with their DC if walking past your place.

I lived with my DC2 in a sling, so I had my hands free for my daughter and he slept in it a lot so I could focus on her in the early days and just fed him on the go as he was BF.

It will be ok. I'm sure some other mums will be along to encourage you soon enough x

Can you work right up to your due date so that you can keep your DS in the childminder for the first few week after the birth even if for only a couple of days a week? I am planning to work up to 39.5 weeks this time (due on a monday working up to the thursday!)

My DD was 2.5 when DS was born, I managed to keep her childcare unchanged (3 days a week) until she started nursery in the september (DS born may) when she was nearly three and i had her 2 days on my own - she watched a lot of tv and we went to the local park to play each afternoon.

It will be manageable esp once you are up to doing playdates with other mums with babies and small children. But the first few weeks will be very hard esp if you are recovering from the birth - will you have any help?

No point in feeling guilty.

It'll be fine.

In the early days, Cbeebies will be a godsend. As will sticker books, story books, lego - anything you can do with your DS1 while bfing.

Check out local sure start centres - they have free stay and play sessions and you'll meet a support network there.

Look on your time on maternity leave as a great opportunity to watch DS1 and DC2 grow up and bond together - it really is a magical time.