Does anyone else find one baby totally exhausting? | Page 2 | ExpatWoman.com
 

Does anyone else find one baby totally exhausting?

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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 27 January 2011 - 21:59
Yup, I found it exhausting with one - never a moment to yourself, and just constantly there cajoling, coaxing, supporting, cooking, cleaning up after... and then I had my second and realised how (in relative terms) easy it was. Of course, hindsight is a wonderful thing, and had I known, 1st time around, I would have relaxed more and stressed less. 2nd baby just fits in with your life (wouldn't call it a "lifestyle"!) and so, bless 'em, they get woken up from naps, hoiked around the shops and generally tagged along to whatever else needs to be done. Your playgroup mum (was it me?! lol) is definitely right - going from 2 to 1 to look after is like a walk in the park! I remember the fuss and stress I got myself in just taking DD (1st) shopping, but now, gosh, "only one" is a joy (nearly)... and I hardly recognise myself if I manage to get out without either of them! If ever you feel knackered with one running around, imagine 2... running in opposite directions! That's my life. :\: BUT it's a crying shame that what we do is so underestimated. You're right, with one or two (or more [shudder'>), your days are filled... and unlike at work, what makes it feel like rushing around like a headless chicken - or "firemanning" = rushing from one crisis to another - is the fact that we have to learn to drop everything at a moment's notice, which means that actually finishing tasks is a rare, rare occurrence! <em>edited by Hello.Again.Kitty on 27/01/2011</em>
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 January 2011 - 21:45
Yes I do!! sometimes I just want to cry..I do not have any help and my DH is at work till late everyday, and my DD is now 19 months old and I cannot do anything, she does not want to sit in the stroller while I do the shopping, she just wants to run, and I cannot always let her do it because she is oblivious to danger. I cannot get anything done, and I have been trying to find a nursery to put her in for two days a week so that she can be more entertained and let her energy out and i get to do my other duties..so far I cannot find a nursery that I feel safe putting my child in..I went to dozens, some have adult size pools in their villlas ( supposedly nurseries), some have strange conditions on their application forms ie: if anything happens to the child, it is not their responsibility and others are not straight when u ask them direct questions ( of course surprise visits to the nurseries), so yes I am exhausted too...Thank god my DH helps me on weekends!!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 January 2011 - 21:25
It sounds like reading my own diary from a year ago... I know how you feel because I felt EXACTLY the same. DS is now 20 months old and DH and I have yet to have our first dinner/date alone without LO... But things got much better. So there is a light at the end of the tunnel. What you need is either a part time nanny or nursery or maybe both. My LO has always been very active and the nursery gave him the opportunity to have all the time to play and interact with other kids. And I got some time for myself. That said, we still haven't tried a babysitter so haven't had the chance to go out with DH for almost 2 years. That's the next step we need to work on. And I tell you now that having a 20 months old is so much easier than having a 9 months old. He is still the same very active little boy but it's so much easier to make him understand that I have to do some things and he can play alone sometimes. Kids need to learn to keep themselves busy and play alone sometimes. And since he goes to nursery I'm much happier because i have time for myself and the rest of the time I have with him I'm happier. Happier mommy means happier baby. Don't be hard on yourself. Some babies are really hard and demanding like yours and mine. Not everyone understands that because their kids might be much easier to deal with. And some say that having two is the same as having one, some will say that having two is easier than having one because the kids play together... it all depends on what personality your little ones have.
 
 

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