Being a mom of two is great when both kids are happy. It’s better than great, actually. When Mazen is home I am almost always wearing Birch in the Solly wrap – it’s the only way I can help or entertain Mazen with at least one hand. And Birch loves being worn.
Sometimes, despite best efforts, both boys are crying at once, and that really shoots my anxiety through the roof. This most often happens between dinner and bedtime. Or when we’re rushing out the door! It’s always a little easier when the parent-to-child ratio is 1:1.
Mazen has a few weeks (WEEKS!) off of school, and it’s keeping me on my toes. He is a total extravert and always wants a playmate.Luckily we have wonderful neighbor friends, but they aren’t always at home or available at all hours of the day. He’s not a big fan of quiet solo play. We also limit iPad time to one hour on the weekends, so that means I have to come up with lots of activities to do with Mazen when he is home from school. Since he is really into painting these days, we recently rolled out some paper and watercolors and spent an afternoon working on two masterpieces.
He is quite the artist! The first painting was of the character Jesse from Minecraft. (I think?!) M drew the sketch and instructed me on the correct colors to put where and we painted together.
The second painting was of a glittery Christmas tree! Note the giant globs of white glue : )
All the while, Birch was happy and then fell asleep in the Solly wrap.
While baby wearing is such a lifesaver, there are some things that are hard to do while baby wearing.
- Loading / unloading the dishwasher (or anything that involves bending over)
- Pumping
- Exercise other than walking
- Showering (a waterproof wrap would be pretty cool for a double shower!)
- Cooking hot things on the stove
- Eating soup or cereal or pretty much anything that might drip
- Driving (impossible, haha)
Ya know, just a lot of the things one might want to do in a day! B wakes up after only 20-30 minutes if he’s put down, but in the wrap he will sleep for 1.5-2 hours. Once he is older and taking good naps in his crib, daily activities will get a little easier.
But for now, baby wearing is the solution for being able to keep both my boys happy and getting longer nap stretches.
Happy winter break to all you moms!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
I really like the paintings, actually! I find that kids’ artworks are the best, before adulting and all our creativity is pushed out of us! 😛
Hope you have a great New Year’s Eve, Kath! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Kim says
I also have two kids, and my oldest is much younger than Mazen. I don’t understand why you don’t just put Birch down…? My youngest is 6 weeks and we haven’t even got the baby carriers out of storage!
KathEats says
I can for a few minutes, but he will cry if left unattended for too much longer than that. He’s happy in a bouncy seat for about 15 minutes.
Andrea says
Every baby is different!! You’re lucky you have kids that are content being put down. My little one was hardly ever out of my arms for the first few months or it was a scream fest. I remember the dishwasher being so hard while baby wearing!!!
Brittney says
My baby boy was born a few days before Birch and is the same! He can nap so well in a carrier but won’t stay down for longer than 15 minutes . So strange! But it sounds like you’ve figured it out- I know we’ll miss the sweet snuggles before we know it!
Jennifer Valdes says
It sounds like you have a great plan that works for you. Time will go by quickly and you’ll find that you just adapt and change things as you go.
I love Mazen’s artwork. He must take after your grandmother. 🙂
Melissa says
Waterproof wraps do exist. I had one ten years ago, I’m sure there are even nicer ones available now. They are also very nice for taking baby in a swimming pool.
KathEats says
I was thinking that too but I wonder what the safety experts would say about hands free in the pool. I could see a baby accidentally getting submerged if the parent didn’t notice!!
Katie says
I used a water ring sling in the pool and shower. Of course, you are very mindful of where your baby’s head is while wearing him. I found it to be very helpful. I loved wearing my second child and wore him all the time.
KathEats says
That’s so cool that they make them. I think they’d be great for hands free at the pool.
Angie says
I wore a waterproof wrap from from a friend but I was basically in a kiddie pool the deepest would be where my son’s feet were touching the water. I didn’t want him submerged either. It’s tough but that newborn stage goes so quickly. My boys are 3 years and 8 months apart and now at 6 and 2.5 they play together and it’s the best! It’ll get easier
Andrea says
LOL @ Gus in the picture!! Looks like he’s been caught on candid camera or something. My 3 year old is an only child and we limit screen time to 30 mins or less a day … unless the rare ocassion comes up where we watch a movie as a family. She is also not fond of solo play so I hear you!! Tough coming up with constant activities to keep her entertained. I try to encourage some solo play but I can only do so much encouraging before there’s a melt down!!
KathEats says
I have noticed that with some things like Legos if I sit down and get started I can slowly sneak away after about 10-15 minutes and he doesn’t notice. (I just can’t really leave the room 🙂 )
Tess says
I missed baby wearing so much that I got myself a Tula toddler carrier for Christmas and it says it’s good for kids up to 60 pounds!! Since my toddler is 28 lbs I’m excited to wear her for at least the next year still. We love babywearing for walks on the beach in the summer and I use it at home all the time for cooking dinner and cleaning the house quickly (in a back carry). I really missed those snuggles since she outgrew our baby Beco!
KathEats says
28 pounds is a lot to carry!! But that will make you so strong.
Margaret says
I’m glad you acknowledged all the things it’s hard to do while wearing a baby! I have four kids under six and I’ve found it surprisingly hard to get things done with a baby in a wrap.
Erin says
I think you’re doing a really great job at this mom-of-2 gig. I have a 5yo and a 2yo and it can be so hard. Happy New Year.
KathEats says
Thank you <3
Renee Van Reed says
Check out Art for Kids Hub on YouTube. I imagine Mazen will love it!
KathEats says
Awesome!! I will
Aimee says
My 4 and 6 year old loved making “snow”- 3 cups of baking soda and one cup of white hair conditioner. Mix in a container and add some little toys, measuring spoons, cups etc. keeps them busy for a while!
KathEats says
Oh I haven’t heard of that recipe!
Nicole says
Just curious if you have tried breastfeeding in a wrap? I know people do it, but it looks so tricky. I have a 2 week old newborn and 2 year old and juggling breastfeeding time is so difficult! What tricks do you use while breastfeeding?
KathEats says
I have never been able to do it because I feel like he has to sit soooo low in the wrap?? I dunno!
Maggie says
I am going to have baby #2 this summer and am eating up every post about being a mom of two and making that transition. I didn’t do much babywearing with my daughter, and the Solly wrap caught my eye. Would you ever consider doing a video about using it for a newborn? I have found wearing/wraps intimidating but I love hearing more when it works for a family! Thanks!
KathEats says
I can put it on like a ninja now! I recommend watching the videos on the Solly website for the best tutorial. Theirs are much more professional than one I could do!
Hannah Nixon says
I feel you and commend you! I have two kids as well (age about to be 4 in two weeks and 5 months) and the time between dinner and bedtime is witching hour in our house as well. I think both kids are just tired and OVER it lol. Sending lots of patient vibes your way (because I know I always need them). 🙂