my sister was the only one of my family i wanted/had after i delivered my first. she, her dh and DD (5 mos at the time) arrived 3 days after i delivered (the first few days were just us). I too had been there for her delivery (the first grandchild among us etc).
she was a huge help. and im happy she was here. BUT, her DH - who was helpful with their DD when she asked - took us living in the Marina and his first visit to Dubai as more of a vacation. Fair enough, we're not particularly close. What this meant for me was a busy apartment and a darling niece I didnt get much quality time with bc she was stuffy/congested and it made me nervous to handle my wee one and hers without a full scrub down. second, my sister could barely help with the baby as hers was sick and teething so if she wasnt wearing a face mask to hold DD (our first LO so perhaps overly cautious, but Id do it again) she was tending to my niece's cries. As I look back, these details dont seem to matter and Im happy she was here. At the time, it was a little stressful and I would have been ok with she alone had come.
14 mos seems old enough that if she's comfortable, her DD can stay back with her DH. A teetering new walker grabbing at everything under your roof may not be the most relaxing few days or week you'll need.
Just a thought. You'll have to really think about how your niece will be after a perhaps long voyage, and how comfortable you will be setting limits if you need.
good luck w everything! life is about to get WAY more interesting.
ETA - the attire i required in the first days of BFing, and my BIL being present, meant i was constantly in a robe or going to our bedroom to feed DD. my choice, but again, less than ideal.
edited by DC2DXB on 05/08/2011
Thanks so much DC2DXB for your reply. I can relate to your experience. As much as I love my adorable baby niece, am afraid that a teetering new walker would require lots of attention. Plus, my sister is still breast-feeding so she can't come visit without her. So, we'll see. I spoke with my sister about it. It all depends on who else could be there to assist with my baby niece so my sister could assist me. I get along very well with my BIL, but he might have a business trip right during my delivery time, which means he can't fly with my sis. Alone, she can't handle her own baby (who is very active, God bless (I hope mine will be like her :) ) and me with a baby. I don't wish for the situation to turn to a stressful one with two babies crying etc. Plus, I need to get to know mine. If my sister would come afterwards to visit, am wondering whether it is possible to handle the situation on my own. I really, don't want anyone around the first days, beside my sister and am so nervous to have family flood in when I need rest and me-baby-time. This is my first child and it isnt my country so I don't know how things will go, if you have any experiences to share I'll be glad to hear them, especially concerning the first days and weeks after delivery and how you organized family visits or how it all juts went. May be it isn't that scary after all to be crowded with people? am just wondering! with my hormones all over the place, I don;t really want to be mean or snap at people who try to be nice. I just can't help it. Since am pregnant, I don't feel am me anymore. I can't control my emotions and worry alot.
my sister was the only one of my family i wanted/had after i delivered my first. she, her dh and DD (5 mos at the time) arrived 3 days after i delivered (the first few days were just us). I too had been there for her delivery (the first grandchild among us etc).
she was a huge help. and im happy she was here. BUT, her DH - who was helpful with their DD when she asked - took us living in the Marina and his first visit to Dubai as more of a vacation. Fair enough, we're not particularly close. What this meant for me was a busy apartment and a darling niece I didnt get much quality time with bc she was stuffy/congested and it made me nervous to handle my wee one and hers without a full scrub down. second, my sister could barely help with the baby as hers was sick and teething so if she wasnt wearing a face mask to hold DD (our first LO so perhaps overly cautious, but Id do it again) she was tending to my niece's cries. As I look back, these details dont seem to matter and Im happy she was here. At the time, it was a little stressful and I would have been ok with she alone had come.
14 mos seems old enough that if she's comfortable, her DD can stay back with her DH. A teetering new walker grabbing at everything under your roof may not be the most relaxing few days or week you'll need.
Just a thought. You'll have to really think about how your niece will be after a perhaps long voyage, and how comfortable you will be setting limits if you need.
good luck w everything! life is about to get WAY more interesting.
ETA - the attire i required in the first days of BFing, and my BIL being present, meant i was constantly in a robe or going to our bedroom to feed DD. my choice, but again, less than ideal.
<em>edited by DC2DXB on 05/08/2011</em>
I am due in three months and have to make a plan for who visits first etc, family wise.
My sister had a baby last year and I feel very comfortable with her. I was there when she gave birth and now she wants to be there for me. My only concern is that her baby is gonna be 14 months. Will it be fine to have two babies in the house: a newborn and a 14-month old baby? is it manageable? my sister's DH will be with her to take care of their baby so she can assist me in the first days.
My mom might also be there but as of now it is not sure. So there is a possibility she won't make it until later.
Then we have the in-laws, but I don't feel very comfortable with them as I don't know them well and I don't want to add stress during that time, especially that we are from two different cultures. Delivery alone is also a big deal! I would like to feel free roaming my house in my pajamas etc. There will be Eid holidays during my due period and am afraid of crowds dropping by. I can't handle it for sure. I have seen how exhausted my sister was after delivery and how hard the first two weeks are with the baby etc.
Any recommendations/advice?
Thank you.
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