Adding Another Baby to the Family- What I Wish I Had Known

Oct 3

In all phases of parenting we are simply in a season. A season that changes with the wind and often changes before we have even figured out that it has passed. A mentor once told me that as soon as she figured out how to handle the phase her daughters were in, they were onto the next phase and a whole new arena for her learn about.

The transition in adding another child to the family is a huge season- and honestly, not one many people talk about. It is filling and challenging rolled into one. Your heart has expanded and your exhaustion hits to the core. It's messy and beautiful rolled into a tangled ball of emotion.

Things I Wish I Had Known:

My heart would only grow bigger. For me, during my pregnancy I wondered how I would love another human as much as I loved my first child. I know that may sound weird, but I didn’t fully understand until my daughter arrived.

Managing a toddler and caring for a baby that was really only happy when she was held was tiresome would be a challenge. I should have put off potty training a bit longer to maintain my sanity (it would have also prevented poop being tracked through the house while I was breastfeeding).

Maintaining a level of patience with a toddler while tired is quite the feat (for me, anyway). Take a lot of deep breaths and pending it’s safe to, walk away when you need to.

I thought I could do it all and act like supermom, when really I should have asked for A LOT more help. Accept all the help when offered, ask for it when you need it!

My children’s relationship would evolve and grow. My son had no interest in the baby before she arrived, but was absolutely OBSESSED with her once she was here. He wanted to hold her, bring me my pump, feed her, bring her toys, crawl in her crib. Their relationship is actually quite amazing (albeit still includes a fair amount of arguing at this phase in our lives).