Anyone with 2 under 2 out there?

I totally agree with Meagle that you just need to jump in and do things. Doing things with little ones is rarely as difficult as you imagine, you just need to take the plunge and do them. So many parents put things in the 'too hard' box when in reality they aren't hard at all and it can be really limiting. For the pool, hold the baby and have older non swimmers in buoyancy vests or arm bands. Lay your towel and clothes out before getting in the water so you aren't grappling with a slippery baby and trying to get your things. I've always used a single buggy with buggy board when at the mall /restaurants etc. Having a good baby carrier is really useful, if the older child is tired they can go in the buggy for a rest. I use a double buggy when out for morning walks, down to the pool etc. I got a side by side so they can see each other and chat, it's lovely for their bonding and means I can walk for longer as they stay happier for longer with a little wingman/girl next to them. They normally hold hands, bless. Good luck, you'll be fine. It's a great sense of accomplishment when you realise that you can do things and actually have fun doing so :) Thanks so much Daza. I think I have more confidence now to try the pool. DD loves it so much I really do just need to try as you say :) And if DS is sleeping I suppose I could keep him nearby in his push chair or car seat or even on the sun lounger with towels around. I tried using my baby carrier and with DS almost at 6kgs already I can safely say I won't be trying that again!

Hiya bintyibbs2 I will have two under twos in April...my current is 14months n ive only just enrolled her to a nursery. Thought it would help me in a few ways...she would learn how to imteract with kids, learn how to say mre word, give me some time to myself in the afternoons especially wen the little one is born. I was worried if i sent her to nursery after baby2 is born she might get jealous. I have been thinking of prams and outings too...really dnt knw how im gna handle that just yet. Hi MrsDB :) I'm in no way trying to discourage you but I'll just let you know my experience so you can watch out for any signs in case. Of course all children are different at the end of the day! So I had the same idea and put DD in nursery for two days a week in the last term before summer. She was getting bored on her own at home and she is very friendly and sociable so I thought nursery would be just right. Also I thought it would've given me some time to be with the newborn once born in the mornings and do anything I needed to do. I thought at least if I got her in there before he was born in summer she might get used to it and therefore wouldn't be affected after. Oh how wrong I was. She did end up liking nursery but then when I started her again this Sept term oh how bad it was. Yes of course it was the whole 'leaving mummy in the morning' routine all over with all the crying and reaching out but this time it was worse and it affected her at home not just when going to nursery. She would run back to the car in the mornings and pull my hand away so that we wouldn't walk through the gates. She wouldn't last the whole day as she would cry so much. I know this is 'normal' considering she was starting nursery all over again but even at home she became so unbelievably clingy and wouldn't go to anyone at all and she normally runs away from me because she's bored of me! Her tantrums became worse at night and she was just generally more miserable. Whenever DS would cry she would tantrum to divert attention onto her. She wouldn't sleep without hugging my entire arm with both her arms and her legs. It was actually quite heartbreaking. Anyway call me weak but I took her out. I think she really did feel like she was being punished and 'sent away' whilst DS got to be with me at home - it didn't make a difference that I sent her a term earlier. I thought ok well she didn't 'need' to be there and I'm at home anyway and it's not worth her being affected in that way at all. Now I fill her time with crafts and games and a couple of weeks after all that she's slowly getting back to her normal self. She doesn't need my whole arm to sleep now - just my hand, so we're getting there :) Hopefully it'll be different for you LOs! :) <em>edited by bintyibbs2 on 02/10/2013</em>

I was worried that DD would become jealous but instead she was and is more protective than jealous. However, the jealousy now spikes up once in a while in the form of a tantrum when she's sleepy at night and if DS cries she cries straight away and holds her hands up right in front of me so I pick her up before going to him. I give DD almost all the attention she wants but of course not to the extent where it spoils her. At the end of the day DS doesn't need that kind of emotional attention or time like she does. I feed him, burp him, change him, bathe him but as soon as I can put him down without him whinging, I do; then I tend to her. The attention shift will be very gradual while DS is still very young. An idea for you guys expecting (congrats!): When your older child comes to visit you in the hospital or wherever he/she sees the baby for the first time give him/her a present which is 'from' the baby. My mum brought a brand new baby doll in a bag along with her to the hospital so when DD saw me and baby we gave her the doll at the same time. She was too young to understand that it was from the baby but at least it was something for her to relate to and while mummy had her baby so did she! Also, whenever anyone doted or still dotes on DS I'll always say something or smile at DD so she can also get a little attention and her focus is then shifted.

There's some weird thing going on with my two: when putting them to bed DD (1y9m) is extra hyper, doing dolphin dives, jumping and landing on her bum, standing and free falling onto her back, basically everything and anything to give me a heart attack whilst I breastfeed/carry/struggle with DS (2m) who is very wriggly at times and has (thank God!) just gotten over his colic phase, and then all of a sudden within literally 2 minutes everything goes from hyper crazy loud to silent and still. It's as if there's some hormonal thing between them where when one calms and closes their eyes to sleep so does the other... it's really weird but don't get me wrong it's great! Anyone else go through the same?!? Anyways, I have just invested in the Easy X Rider Buggy Board http://www.amazon.co.uk/Easy-X-Rider-Buggy-Seat/dp/B00DCQ37VS I'm just waiting for it to arrive. Will be sure to let you all know how it is. I cannot WAIT I'm so excited!!!! It means I can go out on my own with them without having to wait for DH or anyone else to be free to help!

Thanks Meagle, DD is 1yr9m and DS is 2m. I have dinner/bed time routine pretty much down which is a MAJOR relief! At least by about 8pm I have some time to myself. However, from 8am to about 12pm I'm trying to get into a routine of sorts by doing some colouring or sensory play with DD especially whilst DS has a nap from 9-10ish. I'd love to take them to the beach or pool but yes it's a bit too scary on my own with them. I've finally invested in a buggy board so can take them both out easily on my own (really didn't want to buy a double pram yet). Weather's also becoming so lovely so park is now an option at any time of day!