What are your tips for raising a toddler and a newborn at the same time?

1. 72

   sunbun143posted 13 years ago

   What are your tips for raising a toddler and a newborn at the same time?
   
   In my case, they're both boys, but tips for toddlers/newborns in general would be appreciated. Time-saving, money-saving, playtime, naptime, feeding tips...just to name a few examples.

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2. 67

   rutleyposted 13 years ago

   Patience, patience, and more.......toddler gets jealous, rough with the newborn, pretty soon their both acting the same age.  It goes quick...pretty soon the third one comes and it actually seems easier...You get used to it after a bit and wonder what your life was ever like before!  Congrats!

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3. 72

   sunbun143posted 13 years ago

   Yes it's very hard to remember what life was like before...but that's okay. I have to deal with all the craziness but I get all the awesomeness too. Sometimes, even though I want to yell, I just hug my big one and tell him he drives me crazy but mommy loves him....thankfully, the little one is low maintenance Thanks!

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4. 60

   debbie.fernandoposted 13 years ago

   Mine were also both boys (now they are 23 and 21). My best advice is...don't blink. Before you know it they'll be grown. When I was pregnant with my second, I knew the sex and had aready picked out a name. His older brother would talk to him through my belly. I 'm serious, that toddler voice could calm the baby quiet often. Be sure to let the toddler hold his brother (with supervision of course). To see my sons gazing into each others eyes was a blessing in itself. I would remind my older one that his little brother was watching him so that he could be like him. It made the toddler feel  responsibility and pride. He wanted his little brother to "turn out" like him. He was very  protective of his little baby brother and me as well because "she's the one who takes care of my brother and me". It's nice to see little hands open doors for you to push the stoller through. They got along great, partly I think because I made sure to have alone time with the toddler as well. While baby napped, we played "big boy' games. When it came potty training time, the oldest took the youngest with him to watch and see how boys pee. (He said that he couldn't  let him watch me pee too much, it would confuse him). When they were old enough to play the same games, I would get down in the floor with them and play. They knew they were loved equally. As they grew older still, there was one season that they were on the same football team. My youngest played up a year (he was very good). My oldest's interest in football faded yet he attended all his brothers games. They were and are to this day not only brothers but good friends. Their interests are very different, yet they still have much in common. The younger tried lots of thigs because of his brother, i.e. snowboarding, guitar, etc... I have a CD that my youngest made where I am singing 'house of the rising sun" with my youngest playing guitar and my oldest doing a guitar solo. It's probably my most cherished position because I was the one who taught them both their first songs on the guitar. I love the fact that they get together and "jam" although when I see them, I still see a toddler talking to a giggling baby. Didn't mean to get off on me I just want you to know you are in for a wonderful experience. Just play with them both and keep them involved in each other's interests. They'll be life long friends. Congratulations.

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