I have an almost 3 year old and a 5 week old. My baby has been hard work the last 2 weeks and does not like to be put down. Today was the worst with hours of crying. She is very gassy. I'm mentally exhausted. I am feeling horrible because she takes up all my time and my toddler is bored. He wants me to play with him and I try as much as I can but with a screaming baby who wakes up when I put her down and only power naps during the day it's hard. This week all he has wanted to do is watch TV unless I'm playing with him.
I'm trying to get out of the house and find she will sleep if I baby wear her outside but it's been 40+degrees this week which I find we both get too hot.
My toddler just wants to play with other kids and constantly asks if we can go out to playgroup etc but I don't feel confident taking my baby to some places and the playgroups are half over by the time I get us all out the door. I am stating him in a childcare 2 days a week soon but I feel guilty about that even though he is asking to go.
I need advice on how to handle 2 kids with a demanding baby. I don't want my toddler to be put out. He has been great and loves his sister but misses mum time I think.
How to handle 2 kids
How to handle 2 kids
Posted in:
Parenthood Guilt
4 Replies
Definitely go for the day care option! You shouldn't feel guilty he will love it, and will have access to activities there that are too hard to set up at home. If baby wear as much as possible around the house, that way you can have your hands free to interact with your three year old. If you have parents living near by that would like to help or could help, enlist there support!
Baby wear around the house if she wants to be held, if it is not too hot for the both of you though, then you have your hands free to play with toddler :) also don't feel guilty about daycare it will give him some social time with other kids and you get one on one time with baby.
Oh I'm hearing you! My youngest is 3 now, but it feels like yesterday when I had a new baby and an almost 3yo too! I think the daycare idea is a good one if he's keen to go. My first was very clingy and wouldn't be left so we had lots of playdates and our iPad suddenly became the toddler's iPad haha. It saved us, honestly! I hate that we needed a screen to get us through those times but I got a variety of apps that had counting, alphabet/word/early reading stuff, doctor and dentist games, the Play School app and other bits and pieces. And good old ABC kids later on when I decided it was okay to watch her favourite shows on demand! I found that weekly visits to my mum's house (or her to ours, as she was helpful and would always bring in washing or do some sort of chores) were a bit of a lifesaver as well. And we hung out at the shops a LOT. Especially the ones with playgrounds. Also indoor play centres etc. It's hard yakka but it gets better, I promise xo
I don't have any real advice but wanted to let you know you aren't alone. I'm in the same situation only I have a 8wk old & a 15mo. My first was an awesome baby my second not so much. Altho we are currently investigating digestive issues & reflux as to why he is so unsettled. I have my 15mo in daycare 2 days a wk & it is a godsend. It was originally only 1 but increased due to being so exhausted from no sleep & also felt bad cause my 15mo was getting so little interaction with me. Don't feel guilty your oldest will love it & thrive while you can concentrate on your baby. I'm still waiting for the light at the end of the tunnel but can't see it appearing anytime soon. If you have family or friends close by lean on them for support. I know without my family & in-laws I would be curled up in the corner in the fetal position by now. They have taken both my boys on various days for a few hrs to give me a break & just sleep. My older child has had sleep overs. I just take each day at a time & if it's particularly bad I just think well tmw a new day hopefully it's better. Also take care of yourself as I'm so rundown that it has also not helped my situation. Good luck & hopefully it will get better with time for both of us!