Survival Guide: Going from 1 to 2

Y’all know I’m all about #survivalmode when it comes to adulting and parenting. Call me a lazy mom if you wish, but if anything, I’m a *busy* mom with a sometimes stressful job, a husband who works crazy hours, and now two kids who are really needy but in really different ways. Since the moment we announced the pregnancy that no one expected, I wondered how we were going to manage two. T was born on December 22, and I started easing my way back into work on March 1.

This is what I’ve learned:

Pregnancy with a Toddler
Status: “Tired doesn’t even scratch the surface. Toddler becomes immune to the sound of gagging.”

• If you pay $5.99 a month for the PlayKids app, it might buy you a 30-minute nap each day.
• Consider purchasing multiple wifi capable devices for the toddler and rotate them on and off the charger (kidding, kind of…).
• For the first time in parenthood, everyone is cool eating the same meal three times a day so you should take advantage: cereal, mac and cheese, or grilled cheese…and candy.
• Give yourself ALL the grace.
• Don’t be a hero, keep drinking your coffee.

Bringing Baby Home to Toddler
Status: “Where am I and who are all these other people?”

• Accept food from whomever is offering to bring it to you.
• Amazon Pantry and Shipt are well worth the cash in the early days.
• For the love of all things holy, DON’T FORGET TO BUY GAS DROPS.
• If someone asks “what can I do to help?” reply, “laundry.”
• Be sure devices are charged AT ALL TIMES.
• Be prepared for toddler to ask you to moo like a cow if you decide to pump.
• Under no circumstances allow your partner to return to work four days after your child is born.
• If for some insane reason both children happen to be asleep at the same time, 1. I hate you and 2. You BETTER be asleep, too.
• Toddler getting special time with the grandparents or whomever your village consists of is ideal, and will help with the transition.
• Give yourself ALL the grace.
• Don’t be a hero, keep drinking your coffee…and wine.

Going Back to Work, Again
Status: “OMG I haven’t slept in like a whole year and I hope I don’t kill anyone (on accident or on purpose).”

• Read this: Survival Guide–Returning to Work
• Call all of the people that were going to bring you a meal when you came home and you turned them down because you had a million meals in the fridge — you need them now.
• If your work schedule is making things more stressful, talk with “the powers that be” and see if there is some flexibility.
• Use your village.
• Read this: The Full Plate Club.
• Let go of your guilt — maybe find a therapist to help you out with that (ask me, I know a good one).
• Try and give your toddler some one-on-one time. A mama-toddler date will make him or her feel like they’re still important and loved when #2 has been especially needy.
• Give yourself ALL the grace.
• Don’t be a hero, keep drinking your coffee…and wine.