To the Mom of a Toddler and a Newborn

Dear mom of a toddler and a newborn . . .

I can’t believe my little Sofia is one now. Where did her first year go?? I miss that tiny newborn, but at the same time I wouldn’t trade the stage she’s in now for anything. What a fun little girl God gave us!

Since Sofia’s birthday a month ago, I’ve found myself thinking back to when she was born and the days that followed.

I remember wondering how I was going to take care of this tiny newborn with an energetic toddler running around.

I remember watching my husband drive off on his first day back to work. I sat down on the floor and cried. I was still recovering – how was I going to do this?

Well, spoiler alert: I survived. 😉

That first day one of my younger sisters came over and entertained Caleb for awhile. I was SO grateful. And in the days that followed life slowly fell into a rhythm. A new rhythm.

During one of those first days when I was feeling overwhelmed I posted about how I was feeling in a Facebook mom group that I’m a part of. I so appreciated all the words of solidarity and encouragement that those moms gave me. That’s what I want to do in this post today. If you’re a new mom of a toddler and a newborn, this post is especially for you.

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It’s going to be ok.

First of all, take a big breath. Know that you are going to be ok. It WILL get easier. Take things one day (and sometimes one hour) at a time.

Know that things will be different this time with both a toddler and a newborn, and that’s ok. You may not rock this baby to sleep quite as often as your first, but baby will be just fine. Sometimes baby may need to cry a minute while you help your toddler, but again, baby will be just fine.

Here are a few things that I found helpful at the beginning of this new phase:

Practical suggestions for the mom of a toddler and a newborn …

The whole “sleep when baby sleeps” thing doesn’t work as well when you have a toddler too, but whenever possible try to put the kids down to nap at the same time.

Have a few special new toys/books to pull out for your toddler while you feed the baby.

Strap your toddler in a highchair or booster seat for activities like:

• play-dough
• coloring (this is hit or miss with Caleb but is always worth a try!)
• sticker book
• water paint book (we love these Water Wow! books from Melissa and Doug!)
• snacks
• watching a show (we’re big fans of Daniel Tiger)

Give your toddler a mid-morning quiet time in their crib or a room with a baby gate. We already did this before Sofia was born so Caleb was used to it, and we still do it at least a few mornings a week. I usually cut up an apple for Caleb and he sits in his crib, eats, and looks at his books. Having a little mid-morning breather can be so helpful for me and it’s good for Caleb too.

Try to get outside for at least a little while every day. Fresh air and sunshine can do wonders for your mood! Plus it’s so good for your toddler.

When you’re feeling down, play music; light a candle; open the shades and let the sun in; get dressed if you’re not; have a snack; Facetime/Skype a friend.

Load up the kids and go for a little drive if you’re going stir-crazy.

Don’t feel bad asking for help – even just an older kid to come and play with the toddler can be a lifesaver.

And finally, pray. I love Psalm 61:2 –

From the end of the earth I will cry to You,
When my heart is overwhelmed;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

God made you a mother and He is going to walk with you through each and every stage. Cry out to Him and let Him be your strong rock.

I ended my recent post about moms missing church with Isaiah 40:11. The verse ends with these words: “He gently leads those that have young.” What a beautiful promise to hold onto!

While this stage of parenting a toddler and a newborn may feel overwhelming, I promise that it holds a LOT of joys as well. Watching your kids slowing bond; noticing the similarities and differences between both of them; seeing your youngest start copying everything your oldest does; eventually watching (and helping) them learn to share.

Cherish those sweet moments with your toddler and your baby and lean on God through the tough ones. You’ve got this friend! 🙂

Having a long day at home with your kiddos? Here’s what helps (and what doesn’t!)

Are you a fellow mom? I’d love to connect with you! Leave a comment below or visit me over on my Instagram page.

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