The Truth About Going from One to Two Kids

The Truth About Going from One to Two Kids.

Duh duh duh…the truth about going from one to two kids…

A lot of broody friends of one, have been asking me recently what life is like with two kids so I thought I’d write a few things that we’ve personally found changed for us as a family.

My children are 3, nearly 4 and 14 months respectively.

Experiences will differ on children’s ages and age gaps, no doubt.

This is by no means a post to encourage or discourage you from procreating further.

Life with two kids is very different from one (as none to one is too), it’s busier, you’re more stretched as parents meeting the varying needs of two different little people and your time is definitely more sparse than ever before.

You do get double the love though and boy(!) are my boys kissable!

The good of course outweighs the bad and as with your first, once the second comes along, you simply can’t imagine life before.

Well mostly. I do remember being able to use the toilet solo and actually eating breakfast without little ones crawling over me and consuming my food but it’s worth it *I think!

So here are my 5 ways (off the top of my head) in which life changes with two:

1. Your love multiplies-oh yes it does- from the minute your second arrives. I mean how could it not with two doe-eyed cuties made in your image… but so does your frustration, especially when synchronized crying is in full force or relentless fighting has commenced (and the naughty step no longer works) or at the very least, simply having two little voices yelling ‘Mum’ at you rather than one. Good times.

2. Sleep. Erm, if it’s for the weak then I admit it, I’m WEAK, weak, weak because I need it. I want it. I don’t get enough of it. Currently,we have a teething baby (never-ending since 3 months) and both kids have colds and coughs hence disturbed sleep so the husband and I are pretty tired most days. Make that shattered, ratty, in need of 8 hours uninterrupted (when will it happen?).

Funnily enough when the baby was born, life was easier as he slept most of the time!

However, now the baby’s body clock is set for 6 am so I literally nap in the day when he does. With your first, you never bother with that right? Well you learn from your mistakes. Now, I take sleep when I can. In the car (not driving obvs), on trains, watching MIC. I know, MIC!!! I don’t even know who I am anymore?!

3. Eating out. This my friends will never be the same again. One child is tolerable but two, especially if they won’t sit down or stay quiet (sorry fellow diners rolling their eyes) means taking it in turns to eat with your partner. Thank goodness for Grandparents and date night.

4. Childcare/work. This is more of a struggle and cost of course as one child is likely to already be in nursery/Pre-school etc. and on your return to work if you decide to, there’s another person to consider too. Always a juggle. Again thank goodness for Grandparents. I know not everyone is so lucky.

5. Playing together. Yes they fight but they have also started to play well together too and it’s a joy to witness. I also relish the moments where they kiss one another and cuddle up together in front of Cbeebies. Good ol’ Justin bringing brothers together. Seriously though, I’m so glad they’re buddies and have one another.

So that’s just 5 things that spring to my sleep-adled mind.

Not put you off baby number 2 have I?

Just trying to prepare you!

You’re welcome.

Have you two or more? If so, what’s changed for you?