What’s a village!? - May 2024 Babies | Forums | What to Expect (2024)

I’ve no advice, just want to say I’m right there with you. We have a 3YO too and it’s been very challenging the past few weeks with trying to balance baby’s needs, toddler needs, my needs because I’ve been under the weather this PP and also my husbands needs and the house. I’m tired.

This photo sums it up for us �� quite surprising your MIL is like that though, if anything other mothers should understand and help

It is really tough! I have a 6 year old, 2 year old and a 7 week old baby. My 2 year old has had a hard time adjusting and so some days I am totally exhausted!

Things that help -

- I shower before the kids wake up or when they’re in the bed in the evening. This feels so worth it for me and makes the day easier

- I always make sure I set an alarm at 6am to wake up before my 2 year old wakes up so I have half an hour to drink a coffee in peace

- I eat with my kids when husband is away so I don’t have to cook & clean twice

- Screen time - we don’t have much screen time at all but I let my 2yo watch the TV while I’m settling the baby. Outside of this I try to keep it off so that she wants it when I need her to!

Big hugs and hope this phase passes quickly for you

Just had my third and I want to say you will feel so differently soon and you’ll be juggling two with your eyes closed before you know it.

Some things that work for us:

- prep! Anytime my husband heads away overnight/multiple nights I make sure the house is super stocked with food and my husband makes sure the house is sparkling clean before he leaves (including no washing)

- before he leaves he knows I’m having a lonnnng shower where I wash my hair. (Trust me it makes all the difference) and that way you feel fresh and are happy with quick showers while he’s gone

- set low expectations of what you can get done, if the house is sparkling before he goes I find it so much easier to maintain. Basic dishes, laundry if you can. Also keep meals simple, even pre prep.

- when he gets home his on kid duty. Even if it’s just for me to straighten out the house, shower, sit on the couch - anything helps just to have some time not being in charge of tiny humans.

- we are a team so we get back to doing things together (well divide and conquer more like it with three kids)

- Baby wear. Makes doing things so much easier.

- go to bed early - you’ll want to stay up and have alone time but trust me you need the zzzz’s

My husband JUST did a 3 day work trip for the first time and left me with both kids. I have a 2.5 year old and a 7 week old.

Now, thankfully, my mom is around to help when she wasn’t working. Buuuut… we

- prepped dinners before he left

- I shower every night after both are sleeping

- lots of outside time. Mine both love it even in this Texas heat ��

- baths together for them

- and sometimes, one or both is crying and that’s just the reality if I have to tend to the other

It was hard but definitely built my confidence

Ouch, I’d be so salty against MIL for ages after that

Definitely baby wear or have some place to put baby that 3 year old can’t get to. They’re too young to be trusted around baby just yet.

Magnet tiles/picasso tiles keeps toddler entertained for a long time. Consider finding new activities each evening to help distract them. (Look them up now)