NEED ADVICE - Moms of 2 under 2 - or for those that have children close in age - HELP

I need advice or need to hear some of your experencies.

I have 2 beautiful girls - 20 months apart - the little one is 9 months old and starting to demand more attention, naturally, because she is crawling everywhere, absolutely curious about everything, etc... normal 9 month old. My oldest is 2.5 = very bright, and learning fast - shapes, colors, numbers, etc...

My oldest has been very helpful since the birth of her sis but lately starting to get tough with the little one. We all do playtime and sit and read, play on the floor and my oldest will jump on the little one, grab toys from her, with all the toys they have - they always seem to both want the same toy! Im constantly separately them lately and doing time-outs with the oldest to try and teach her that she will hurt her sister by climbing or pushing her sister etc....its seems like the youngest is always crying and it could be because they both want my attention and im only one person?? Im a SAHM and we are always together, going to playgroups, park, spending time together at home etc...but the last month or so has been rough with the little one constantly crying because the oldest won't let her play with a toy, or she takes things away from her and will throw a fit, doesn't want to share etc..

Me and my sis are 13 months apart and my sis and bro are 15 months apart so i know it wasn't easy for my parents and we always seemed to want the same things, have a bit of jealous for each other because we were all so young and didn't understand - so hopefully this is a phase - but have any moms experienced this??? THis seems to be going on everyday very often. How do you try and discipline your oldest??

I've tried time outs, i've calmly told her to stop that she will hurt the baby but she seems to not get it.
Just wanted to add that this happens when we are at home and its just the three of us - when we are at the park ,mall, out to someone's house - the girls are great.

What have you done?

Message edited 8/30/2008 3:38:36 PM.

Re: NEED ADVICE - Moms of 2 under 2 - or for those that have children close in age - HELP

I will upload pictures of what a typical day is for me and you should feel better

My two are 15 months apart. They are now 28 months and 13 months and I am constantly seperating them or pulling DS off DD. It is just a phase and I know he isn't intentially hurting her. He always says he wants to play and he will hug her. What usually works for us is if the the little one has a toy that big one wants, I have the big one go get another toy of the same kind (ex. car or block) and swap it out. It seems to be working so far.