Easier times?

I’ve had my second one just a week ago, so I can’t speak from experience. What I assume people want to say is that every stage is hard, just a different kind of hard. Maybe some people find it easier at the beginning and others later on. I was told the opposite tbh. That there’s a time in which they play together and things get easier. I’m sending you a big big hug xx hope things will get easier for you soon xx

Mum of 2. My eldest is nearly 5 and my youngest is 1. I agree that it doesn’t necessarily get easier, it just gets different. I found the newborn stage so soo hard with my first and a breeze with my second. Toddler tantrums are different from sleepless nights and constant feeding at newborn, but no less stressful sometimes. Potty training is a whole mission in itself! Now we’re dealing with school friendship drama, homework arguments, and the eldest fighting to be independent on things. What I will say is the hard parts get further apart. The tantrums spread out, the sleepless night become once in a while, leaving the house without a nappy bag was so freeing! I personally dread the teenage years with two girls in a small house 😄. But what was all consuming 6 months ago, doesn’t even register today. I hope that helps you feel a little bit better. We’ve all been in the trenches where it feels like there’s no end, but parenting is always changing.

@Ruth thank you both! I guess I really feel for myself that I’m just now a “newborn” mum. I find it very suffocating in a way. Living life by such strict schedules, the uncertainty on night sleeps whether there’s wakeups or not, not being able to walk and communicate. So for me I feel like I would enjoy the toddler stages a lot more, maybe easier isn’t the word but enjoy is. But when people say things like what I’ve mentioned it makes me dread everything x

Completely feel that! Newborn seems like you’re giving all of yourself and getting nothing back. I just got my 14 month old up from a nap and was greeted by the biggest smile and (very dribbly!) kisses. Given her a snack and got a ‘Ta’ in response and happy wiggle. When you start getting feedback from them and the play and respond it is much better and more rewarding, in my opinion.

I wouldn’t say it never gets easier, but there’s always new challenges. I’ve got a 5.5yr old boy, and a 2yr old girl and the challenges at the moment with the boy is school, and pushing boundaries and thinking he’s the king of the house 😂 the 2yr old, as much as this stage is hard as she is an emotional little girl, there’s also such fun lovely moments (with both of them). As they get older and you aren’t stuck to sleep schedules, and awake windows and feeding times etc, it does get easier! Try not to worry about the future, and just focus on enjoying the newborn bubble because as soon as they’re on the move, you’ll wish you had a moments peace 😂

I hated the new born phase! So for me it definitely only got easier!

@Naomi glad you’ve said that! I definitely think I’m the same

Personally the older they get the more I enjoy being a parent. Obviously it come with new challenges but at least I’m sleeping and not a milk machine.