6. Be gentle and patient when your toddler cries more often. Along with wanting extra attention, our daughter seems to cry more easily. She is just trying to comprehend what is happening and why she is no longer the only one. She is too young to be manipulative or controlling in her actions. She just needs us to be gentle and patient with her. So, I kneel down, look in her eyes, hold out my hands, and ask if she wants a cuddle. She may say no, or push me away, but I am patient with her. I let her know that I am here when she needs me.
7. Allow your toddler to help. It takes extra time and effort when our daughter wants to help. She wants to help make coffee, make a bottle, feed her brother, and put things away. It is messy and a bit chaotic, but she feels part of the family. So, when she asks if she can help, I accept it. I realise that things will get messy, but I am grateful for her help! One day, she may not be as willing or excited to help.
8. Stick with a familiar routine. While my daughter is accustomed to having a routine, our son is not. Her life has changed so much that following her normal routine helps immensely. A routine provides her with consistency, which alleviates stress and anxiety.
9. Show love and patience. Both my daughter and my son need me. They need my love and attention. They need my arms around them. They need me to feed and clothe them. They need me to be calm and patient. They have no idea how to manage their emotions. They look at me and learn. So, I am mindful of what I am teaching them. It is not easy. I get tired, hungry, frustrated, and agitated. But by standing back and taking a breath, I can be the loving and patient mother they both need.
I know how hard it can be to manage both a toddler and a newborn, and I appreciate that everyone has a different situation. My hope is that you find these suggestions helpful with your transition from one to two, and you enjoy these precious moments with your beautiful family.
April Kinney is a mother and owner of Kinney & Kinney, a coaching and mentoring company based in Perth, Australia. At age 50, she successfully navigated a corporate career for over twenty years and is a Certified Master Practitioner in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Timeline ® Therapy, and Hypnotherapy. April’s mission is to help families navigate their life challenges with clarity and confidence to create a life of purpose and meaning. You can follow along with her journey at www.aprilkinney.com and https://www.facebook.com/AprilLKinney.
