What does your 2 year old do all day while you take care of your needy newborn???

Today was my first day by myself with 2 and it was tough. DS (2 weeks old) didnt sleep at all until 3. Needless to say, he was overtired. My DD seemed so bored and I feel horrible.

All she does is watch TV and get into trouble. I dont know what else to do.

Re: What does your 2 year old do all day while you take care of your needy newborn???

When I was freaking out about taking care of 2 little ones alone for the first time, my mother told me something that I will always remember.

"If at the end of the day both babies are still alive, then you did your job."

I was a virtual prisoner in our playroom for the first month and a half I think. The only reason we'd leave is to feed Madelyn. I took care of Eliza while Madelyn watched DVRed episodes of Sesame Street.

Don't feel guilty- it WILL get better soon and you'll be able to interact with your older child much more. Hell- you'll even get OUTSIDE once in awhile!

Re: What does your 2 year old do all day while you take care of your needy newborn???

I often feel the same, you are not alone ...I "try" to tune everything else out and play with my DS when DD does nap..Its hard when you have all the things in your head that you "need" to do , but they appreciate ant time you can spend

Re: What does your 2 year old do all day while you take care of your needy newborn???

I could have written this post and I am happy that others are going thru the same thing.

I try to spend time with DS#1 while the newborn naps. We color, use play doh and read books. While I take care of DS#2, DS#1 is often watching NOGGIN.

It has been VERY HARD and it is great when my dad or other family comes over and takes the older one outside/

I have been doing this for 6 weeks now and it does get easier....I have learned to let some of the laundry/cookimg go since the above poster is right---them being alive is a major accomplishment

Re: What does your 2 year old do all day while you take care of your needy newborn???

Oh Boy...this is what I am scared of, but am glad to hear true life stories.

I am NOT the type to stay at home. We usually go out at least once a day and if we dont, by the next day Im stir crazy as is my son and now with two babies coming , close to winter, Im just dreading what will happen to my poor Son who is so used to going out everyday...

Re: What does your 2 year old do all day while you take care of your needy newborn???

I sent Nate to daycare when I was on maternity leave with Jayden. I didn't have the energy to 'entertain' him all way while taking care of a newborn.

Re: What does your 2 year old do all day while you take care of your needy newborn???

Re: What does your 2 year old do all day while you take care of your needy newborn???

I think he watched a lot of TV because what else could I do. He wasn't the kind of kid to sit so I could read him stories. So many people said that while nursing the NB they read to the older child but mine couldn't sit still long enough. It was a challenging time for us and it did pass. I guess once I could get out we went for walks. All I remember as a lot of crying from both kids. I tried to sit on the floor and do puzzles while hold DS#2 or playdoh while DS#2 was in a swing. DS#1 really liked his mega blocks so he would build for a while. It's hard to split your time.

Re: What does your 2 year old do all day while you take care of your needy newborn???

the newest thing is that my 2 year old yells "Put Baby Down"....now that is fun

Re: What does your 2 year old do all day while you take care of your needy newborn???

lord i am exhausted! i think we're living parallel lives.

thankfully we just got josh the best bday gift ever (train table) and it keeps him very busy. i also sit on the floor with him and am either holding the baby or boucing & vibrating him in his bouncer while we play with puzzles, blocks, playdoh, color, etc..

my hardest thing is meals for josh (he has eating issues and it takes usually an hour to eat.) i usually read books to him during meals and it is NOT easy feeding him, reading a book and holding a screaming infant!

Message edited 5/4/2009 8:38:47 PM.

Re: What does your 2 year old do all day while you take care of your needy newborn???

i am sure i will be posting the same thing come June~

Re: What does your 2 year old do all day while you take care of your needy newborn???

I used to just strap my newborn on and go out and about. Today wasn't exactly condusive to being out so I save up indoor activities for rainy days...

Some of the things we did on rainy days...

Play Doh
Painting - especially fingerpainting
puzzles
Buiding an indoor fort
Set up an indoor obstacle course - for some reason, the couch is much more fun without the cushions on
Coloring - I would make is special by coloring on my bed while her favorite show was on
Reading
Playing Memory games

Re: What does your 2 year old do all day while you take care of your needy newborn???

goes to school! I kept her in full-time daycare for the first three months, now she's home with me two days a week. But I feel for you- these rainy days are the worst!! I put her in the booster seat all strapped in & rotate art activities for about 40 minutes. Putting the baby in the sling is a huge help too. I never really need to hold her and always have two arms free, unless I'm nursing.

Re: What does your 2 year old do all day while you take care of your needy newborn???

Oh man, this post is scaring me. I know its what I'll be dealing with come next week.

Re: What does your 2 year old do all day while you take care of your needy newborn???

You are not alone- I have twin boys they are 20 months old and dd is 3 months.
Luckily they have each other to play with but ita with everyone when your little one sleeps you can get quality time with your older child. Also if you make them a part of your activities with the baby they will enjoy having the baby around and its a win win no jealousy and you kinda kill 2 birds with 1 stone. My boys love to "do nice" to sissy and often rub her head gently to sleep- its adorable.

Re: What does your 2 year old do all day while you take care of your needy newborn???

Re: What does your 2 year old do all day while you take care of your needy newborn???

reading this i should have kept DS in daycare....but he will soon go back 2 days a week at least