2 under 2 mamas

If you have (or had) two under two, what do you do with them? I'm a teacher so I'll be home all summer with my 18 month old DS and a newborn. My DS is very active (and a runner) so I'm slightly nervous to take him places where it might be difficult to chase after him.

What can I do with them this summer? As of now DS will be going to school 2 days a week (half days). But I also want to be able to keep him entertained when he's home.

How do you manage going out with 2 under 2 (as far as getting them in and out of the car)? Like I said, my biggest concern is DS not staying with me/holding my hand. He just wants to run!

Re: 2 under 2 mamas

It helped a lot to put the baby in a carrier & to hold the hand of the older kid. This was the way I got around most places. A double stroller is obviously safe once you strap both kids to it.

If yours is a real runner... a good rule is "hold my hand or you get strapped in". Yep, we had BIG screaming from our older at first, but then he got the picture. They are smarter than you think they are. I then moved to the baby carrier almost exclusively.

As for cars, you would think you would want to take out the older kid first, then baby... it's the other way around. I'd keep the older strapped longest in the car. I'd take him out last & put him in 1st. I'd also park far away (so that there was space around my car) & not have to deal with worrying about a car hitting my stroller as I was moving kids.

As for stuff to do... that's kid personality dependent. I stayed home a lot (but that was in the dead of winter) when I had my younger. By the time spring hit, we were going to zoos, parks, malls, garden shops solo. Short trips (1-2 hours) is plenty unless you have help.

Re: 2 under 2 mamas

my DD was 2 when my second DD was born last year. we didn't do a whole lot when they were that small besides walks in the double stroller and the park. thats what we still do on a typical day. if the younger one can stay in the stroller, its pretty doable to play with (and chase) your older one. once or twice i took them both to the queens farm, to hicks and other small outings, but i usually had one other adult with me for those trips. i found car trips to be somewhat doable bc the baby is in the infant seat which makes transporting them into and out of the car easier.

good luck to you!! i know it can be challenging

2 under 2 mamas

My DDs are 23 months apart and we honestly didn't do much the first 3 months. Anywhere I wanted to go just didn't seem worth it when I thought about actually doing it!

Re: 2 under 2 mamas

Depending on where we are, I sometimes put my older daughter in the same side of the car as the baby.. I put the carrier in and close the door and walk around to the other side and put her in her carseat and lock her in. That way I know shes not running around a parking lot.

As for activities.. I take them to the library, or a park, or friends houses for playdates.

Re: 2 under 2 mamas

My dd was 19 months old when my youngest dd was born. It was in the summer too. I stayed home in our yard a lot. I got her a blow up pool with a slide. Used the water table and sprinklers. We got a sandbox and new play house that year too which kept her occupied.. I'd go on walks on a quite block and let her push a doll stroller which she really liked.

I didn't attempt Parks or beach without help. I'd go to the library and did the aquarium one day but it was rough with a newborn.

For the car my oldest always went in first and I would hold the stroller with my free hand or foot while I buckled my oldest in.

Message edited 6/13/2014 1:09:55 PM.

Re: 2 under 2 mamas

I'm in the same boat (dd is 16 months, Ds is 3 weeks) where do you live

I have a bunch of outdoor stuff for dd - pool, slide, balls etc
Aside from walk I wouldn't attempt to take them both out anywhere dd can run around bc I wouldn't be able to handle it

Re: 2 under 2 mamas

I always take my youngest out of the car first and then the big kids. On way back in big kids first then baby.
I taught my kids to hold the stroller, cart etc at all times at a young age. They know. It's the "rule" and they are good about it.
Honestly this age is (baby) is great. She'll sleep in strollers or you can use a carrier.
I started with a park, library then on to bigger things zoo etc.
You'll do fine!