Moms of Two: When did you feel like you could handle it alone?

DD#2 is now three weeks old, and I feel so far from ready to manage her and her 2.75 year old sister alone! I am very grateful for the help of my hubby and both grandmas for the past few weeks.

When did you feel like you could manage the chaos? Do I just need to dive in on my own, or will it seem easier in a few weeks?

Re: Moms of Two: When did you feel like you could handle it alone?

I felt like I just had to jump in...Dh was only home four days after I came home and my mother and step mother came over here and there. Dh traveled over night when ds was only a month old, that was tough. It does get easier, ds is only four months and I feel like I am getting better at managing (i.e. working four days/cooking dinner/"keeping house") I noticed I did not really decorate for halloween, thanksgiving and christmas like I used to
My older son was just sick and passed it to my younger for the first "disease transfer" among sibilings and we are surviving...You will too

ETA: I got very lucky and can still get them to nap together most times...which is key.

Message edited 12/16/2007 1:29:41 PM.

Re: Moms of Two: When did you feel like you could handle it alone?

I also felt like didn't feel like I had a choice. We moved into our new home an hour and half away from family when DD was 5 days old (our furinture was already their just waiting for us). It was Friday and that Monday DH went back to work but my MIL was with me for 2 days and then left. The first week alone was hard but then I realized that I have to suck it up because this is my life. It's not easy at times but once you get into some sort of routine it feel like second nature. I would say it took about 2 months for me. It will get easier the sooner you stop thinking it is difficult

Re: Moms of Two: When did you feel like you could handle it alone?

Very good question. I have baby #2 due in February and two kids seems so hard. I'll have to dive right in myself because I don't think DS will be able to be home with me at all, maybe a day or two - ahhhhhhhhhh.

I have no idea what to expect.

Re: Moms of Two: When did you feel like you could handle it alone?

With 2 I think it was about 2 weeks before I knew I didnt have a choice and had to adjust to having 2 alone. With 3 I try not to go out without reinforcements

Re: Moms of Two: When did you feel like you could handle it alone?

Oh God, I dont even remember...but when you do jump in with it, you sort of have to accept that it will no longer be as easy as having one but that soon enough you will get your own handle on everything. I mean, going from having no kids into having one isn't that easy either but you got the hang of that already so you'll get the 2 kid thing down before you know it. The baby is still so small at 3 weeks so don't be so hard on yourself about trying to do it all, accept the help as much as you can. I think they get so much easier after they are a few months old, that's when I saw the difference. When I could entertain the younger one with a toy and tend to the older one. And vice versa. Of course I'm still waiting for handling my 3 to get easier maybe in another 8 years j/k even 3 kids and I would imagine 4, 5 or more kids get easier with experience.

Enjoy the help!!!! You will get there.

Re: Moms of Two: When did you feel like you could handle it alone?

I had some time I had the boys in the NICu for month so i was able to heal from my delivery . they actually came home 4 days apart and I was out the door the next mronign at 9 am to drive DD to camp and them the week they were both home out the door at 8:30 to drive her to camp and then did my errands.. i just did it from the get go and I am out the door everyday at 8:30 to get her to school. I sometimes even amaze myself. I do find myself doing things I said i would never do like leave them in their PJ's (with a clean diaper) till the next changing or now that it is cold all day. unless I am going somewhere I do not change their PJ untill they get new ones at night...

Re: Moms of Two: When did you feel like you could handle it alone?

My DH works from home most days, so that has helped. But I found long walks made the time go by easier. I know the weather isn't really great now, but maybe you could go to a mall early - before the crowds come.

after 6 months - it's still really hard, but you just do what you have to do.