Whether you're planning, expecting, or already raising your second-child, you already know that things are different the second time around.
Actually, having gained so much experience in your time as a mother to your firstborn, to expect the same thing from baby #2 would be crazy! While it won't necessarily be easier by any means, it'll surely be different--and that's not a bad thing.
In all, there's quite a lot of things to expect from the newest addition to your family, but one thing is for certain...there are a number of things you'll definitely do differently the second time around!
Here's a look at a handful of those key differences:
1. You won't be so concerned about clothing
The first time around you were probably incredibly excited about the idea of buying adorable, new outfits for your baby-to-be. Heck, you were probably equally excited about the fact that you were inundated with onesies, dresses, or cute shirts when you held your baby shower. However, now that it's time for round two, you've probably shifted your excitement to something else. Why? Because you realized that babies inevitably grow out of these adorable which--unfortunately--means that being obsessed with your baby's clothing is a bit superfluous.
With your next little one on the way, you're probably going to start using hand-me-downs and being the frugal parent you always said you'd be. No more splurging on unnecessary outfits!
2. You're no longer a germaphobe
Long before you were a mommy of one, and way before you considered being a mother of two, you were probably grossed out by things like poop, snot, spit, and vomit. Now that you're a mother, those fears and aversions have been completely desensitized. Sure, you may not like being wrist deep in "number 2", but as a mommy, you know what needs to be done. Basically, long gone are the days of being a germaphobe.
What are the biggest differences of being a rookie mom and a second-time mom? Find out more by clicking next!
3. Your definition of a clean house has changed....drastically
When it was just you and your hubby in the house, keeping up with the laundry, dishes, carpets and floors, bathrooms, living room, kitchen, etc. was a lot easier! It may not have been a cake walk, but my oh my was it easier. Once your firstborn came around, you probably found yourself a bit exhausted and found that housework was a lot more challenging than it used to be. When baby #2 comes along...you can pretty much multiply that challenge!
As a result the words "clean house" will have a drastically different meaning from what they used to mean.
4. You might not keep up with milestones as much
With your firstborn, you probably photographed, filmed, and shared every (and I mean every) little milestone in their development. First day in the house, first burp, first smile, first giggle, first solid food, first...EVERYTHING!
There's nothing wrong with that, and there's nothing wrong with being ambitious enough to want the same with your second born.However, you might not be as enthralled to keep up with each milestone as you were the first time around...and there's nothing wrong with that either! Make your life easier and just try to keep up with the most important milestones. Anything else you manage to document and encapsulate is just icing on the cake!
5. You'll be less "helicopter mom" and more "chilled out"
After bringing your firstborn home for the first time, you probably slept with one eye open for the few few weeks (if not months). And, I'm not talking about from lack of ease of sleep. I'm talking about the fact that you monitored, tracked, and helicoptered every single breath your baby took. You had to make sure that they were alive every second of the day and to take your eye off of them for one second was crazy talk!
Well, you probably mellowed out and came int o your own as a parent since those days. You've realized that you're a better parent than you thought, and that babies don't require you to watch them every single second of the day. You definitely won't be leaving your second born home alone for a few hours (because that's, you know, INSANE!!!), but you'll probably be much more "chilled out" with baby #2!
This article was based on a post published by Parents
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