2 year old and 10 month old?
Answers:
There is this girl that really likes me and her 3 year old daughter loves me. She also has a 1 year old son. She often times asks me for help because she thinks she cannot handle the stresses of raising two kids by herself. I helped my sister raise my niece so I know it can be difficult juggling everything along with a child. I am only 20, but what I did with my niece when she was little was just hold her and rock on a chair until she fell asleep. I know it sounds extremely simple and old fashioned, but it worked wonderfully. I would also wake my niece up early when I did so she would be sleeping at a decent hour at night. At first she seemed cranky but she got used to the sleeping consistency. My niece is 9 now by the way, so I think if I could have responsibility for a infant at 10 years old, I think most people should be able to handle it. For me though, it did get to the point where I just no longer wanted to have the responsibility because of the late nights and constant worry. They do grow up fast, so just hang in there while you can. Your boyfriend seems understanding as that he is still with you through all this. You could get one of your good friends or parents to watch your kids a few times a month so you could have time for him. I did it for my sister, and people are more understanding than you may think.
Other Answers:
Well, the best advice i can give you is lay down with your child earlier in the evening before your boyfriend comes home. Then, once the little ones are down, you can have time for yourself and tend to the needs of your man.
Source(s):
my own experience
I've got 3 at home, ages 2-1/2, 1-1/2 and about 8 mo. old.
Do what I do, cut the sugar for the toddlers. Watered down or no juice at all. Nothing but milk, fresh fruit and veggies and whatever I make for supper.
My 2-1/2 year old can't handle sugar. He'll talk all day long and get under foot and drive me crazy everytime he has a little too much of it.
You've got to set some boundries too. If you've got a gate, use it. Make him/her take naps so you can get a break.
Keep a routine of 8 or 9 o'clock bedtime. No sugar or drinks right before bed if you can help it.
You have to teach your children that they have to respect mommy/daddy time. It is important for them to respect that and to learn that mommy and daddy are working on their relationship with each other so that it lasts a lifetime. An important lesson that seems to be lacking in our culture today.
Source(s):
In the same boat.
hire a nanny
I suggest you hire a young teenager (mother's helper) to come to the house about 5:00 every evening to help you serve dinner, wash dishes, and put the kids to bed. It is hard to do all of this by yourself when you have two young and needy kids. You could probably pay a neighbor's child a very minimal amount to do this, and it would help them develop skills with children, as well. Not a babysitter... a mother's helper. His/her job would be to help with those three chores and then go home when the kids are snuggled in bed. The kids could look forward to this and it could be a routine. Don't forget to have them bathed and in bed by 7:00 with a story and a sweet goodnight kiss. Routine is everything. After two or three weeks, you might need the MH less if you are able to quietly maintain the routine.
Good luck.
Heather20: I have 3 kids and I know exactly what you're going through...been there, done that. First of all, you must rest when THEY rest or you don't get much rest at all. As for what I did, I made sure I got my kids up early, around 7 or 8 am, then by 1 pm they were ready for a nap. I took that time to rest myself. They slept for about 2 hours. Then around 5 pm the baby would want a nap again, so I let him sleep for 30 minutes, and it gave him enough rest, but yet not too much so he could still sleep that night. THEN at 7 pm or 8 pm I would lay them down for the night. But first I made sure they both had a nice warm bath and full tummies-not juice or milk only, but oatmeal, or warm cereal with some milk. And NEVER put them to bed with juice or milk. BUT if you HAVE to, then water down the juice by half. Then IF they wake, just check on the baby making sure he/she is fine, and allow him/her to whine back to sleep. DON'T get him/her up. Eventually they will stay alseep knowing you aren't going to allow them to get up and start playing again, but that it's BEDTIME. Which in turn is MOMMY TIME! Getting your little one's on a schedule is very important for a relationship.
Now for the little one that wants you to hold her all the time, I didn't have a child that did that, but I do know others that did. Your 10 month old can be distracted by playing with children books, and blocks, lids and tupperware items that won't hurt her. (They tend to want things that aren't toys it seems). But maybe she might like something that lights up, or sings songs to her. Try things until you find what she might enjoy other than Mommy carrying her all the time. Other than that, I would just limit my time of carrying her until she got used to NOT being carried all the time.
Good luck and God Bless!
Source(s):
My source is MY EXPERIENCE.
It's not what you want to hear. You have to make rules and stick to them. You can put them in their bed and let them cry until they fall asleep (you will cry too) - I did that with the oldest. You can also put them in the bed and stand there (in the dark) and rub their tummy or sing or whatever calms them until they fall asleep-just don't pick them up - PERIOD. They should be in bed at 8:30 at the latest. I have a 21 month old and a 9 month old. You can email me at lickalottapink@yahoo.com if you want to talk more.
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