PDA

View Full Version : Having a bit of a wobble



sophiemarie
03-05-2010, 03:49 AM
Hi Having a bit of a wobble its 4.30am and I can't sleep.
At present I have two children aged 18 months and 3 years. I have had a visit from parent and their lovely tiny baby who wants a place from September she will be 8 months by then.
We have a lovely little routine at present where children spend time in the playroom or adjoining outside area and we go on lots of outing.
I am just not sure how this will work with a young baby and I am worried about toddlers round a baby, although I supervise the children well there are times I will need toilet breaks and to cook dinner!
My children are older and I have worked with 2 to 3 year old before this so I have totally forgot what it is like to have a baby. I would hate to have the baby start and then let the parent down.
Do you think I an worrying unnecessarily and its just night time thoughts:eek:

francinejayne
03-05-2010, 04:54 AM
Ooh not being able to sleep is terrible isn't it! I suffer from it lots, especially when I have things going round my mind!

I'm going to be in the same situation in June, with a 3 year old mindee, my own 2 year old son, and a new 9 month old baby starting.

My DS has got to know the new baby and is very excited about him starting. I don't see why it will stop us doing the outings etc that we currently do, I've got all the equipment I need (car seats, prams etc). I am aware it will be hard at times, but I'm sure I'll cope, and before you know it the baby will be a toddler!

I plan on strapping baby in the highchair when I can't supervise him very closely, eg at cooking times, or when I go to the loo etc! I won't leave him in the 'way' of the older 2.

If things aren't working out, that's what the 4 week settling in period is for.

Sure you'll be fine!

sophiemarie
03-05-2010, 05:13 AM
Hi thank you for your advice yes that makes sense didn't think of the high chair or I could use the buggy I think I am looking for problems that are not there thats middle of the night thinking lol x

mamasheshe
03-05-2010, 07:36 AM
i have a 11 month starting i already have dd and mindee who are both two. i plan to have two travel cots one downstairs for if i need to leave the room, and one in the spare room for naps and my toilet break s ect. I'll let you know how this plan goes !!

onceinabluemoon
03-05-2010, 07:48 AM
I'd use a travel cot or a playpen rather than strapping a high chair when you're not there.

All high chairs carry a warning not to leave children unattended so if another child tipped the high chair when you were out of the room you could end up in quite serious trouble (I'm thinking about the CM that was taken to court and then Ofsted de-registered when a child hurt themselves on a trampoline last year when they were under the recommended age).

christine e
03-05-2010, 08:27 AM
Hi

Hope in the light of the day you are seeing things more clearly.

Come September I will have an 18 month and a 9 month 2 days a week and one day a week a 12 month and a 9 month and then come Nov one day a week 20 month, and 2 x 12 month. Yes it will be hard work but they do grow up and a few months down the line the 20 month will be 2 and the 12 month olds will be 16 months, and another few months and ........

On my other days I will just have the youngest so hopefully will be able to take it a bit easier (fingers crossed):D

Good luck

Cx

jelly15
03-05-2010, 08:52 AM
When I am cooking the baby is in the kitchen with me in a highchair. When I need a toilet break or have to take LOs to bathroom I put the baby in a playpen.

RedDragon
03-05-2010, 08:55 AM
When I am cooking the baby is in the kitchen with me in a highchair. When I need a toilet break or have to take LOs to bathroom I put the baby in a playpen.

With a name like yours I feel you are the perfect person to give advice with a heading "HAVING A BIT OF A WOBBLE"


:thumbsup: :D :laughing:

breezy
03-05-2010, 09:22 AM
When I had a similar situation I found the travel cot downstairs a god send, if you have all the car seats, highchairs, pushchairs and cots etc you can do it!
Hardest bit I found is loading them all in and out of the car !!!

The Juggler
03-05-2010, 02:10 PM
when I started my youngest was 2 1/2 and I was nervous about the baby too. Then all my newbies grew up and it was 3 years before I had babies again, took two one year olds on at the same time - cue bag of nerves again. Now, they are 3 and again I have two new 1 year olds and was very nervous - and shattered - all over again. But, a week or so in and it felt like I'd been doing it for ever.

I think change of ages and children is always hard but you're always so busy you never have time to worry once you're actually doing it. You'll be fine hon.x:)

sonia ann
03-05-2010, 05:05 PM
remember that at this age they grow and change so quickly that any foreseen problems soon change....this time last year I had 2 lo's and a 3yr old and was exhausted 3 days a week.....nearly a year on and things are so much easier, they can play together and amuse themselves....I now love these 3 days:)

helenlc
03-05-2010, 05:36 PM
The 11 mth old I have now was 9 mths when he started. I also had a just 2 yr old and a 21 mth old.

I was nervous too about the toddlers round the baby but they are fine. If anything its now the baby that is a potential danger to them - he insists on crawling over to them and trying to stand himself up holding on to them!!!:panic:

I have a baby activity centre (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0002C6N16?ie=UTF8&tag=childminding-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B0002C6N16">LeapFrog Learn & Groove Activity Station</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=childminding-21&l=as2&o=2&a=B0002C6N16" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;) that I got from netmums for £20. It is a Godsend - I put it in the conservatory when they are all playing (especially if the older ones are being a little excited and energetic!:D), in the hallway outside the kitchen when I am doing dinner and outside in the garden when they are out there. I also take the travel cot into the garden and put a few toys in there then put it in the garden. The baby feels in the middle of the others but is safe from the football and he ride ons.

With getting in and out the house and car, I put him in the travel cot in the front room or the entertainer by the front door. I load the others up and then him. At our destination, I get him out first and strap him in the pushchair then get the others out. When we come home, I get the other 2 out first - they know to walk in my front door and sit on the first step and not move!!:D I then bring the baby in, then help the others with their shoes and coats then they are free to go and play.

You will find that you adapt quite quickly and find things/routines etc that suit you. We already had a good routine going and the baby has just fallen in with this TBH. He doesnt sleep as long as the others so whereas they go down after lunch for 1-2 hours, he has about half an hour, then another half an hour after the school run. I also feed him at 4.30 as he is collected at 5. The others eat at 5 so they are happy playing while I feed him.

Do you have a settling in period in place? I have a 4 week one, as I think most do. If you find that things are a struggle, then be honest to yourself and say its not working out. There;s nothing worse than taking something on and finding it too hard. And there's no shame in it either. I gave notice in the settling in period to one earlier this year as it was just too stressful.

Good luck and hope you dont have too many more sleepless nights!!:D

sophiemarie
03-05-2010, 06:49 PM
Thank you all so much your great advice, has made me feel much better and I am now looking forward to it will def get the activity centre and a travel cot.
Thank again to you all:) :) :)