Anyone having their second? How are you preparing your first born for the big change?

I have an 18 month old girl and our second is due June 11. We've been trying to prepare her by having big sister practice with her baby dolls, reading her books about new baby/pregnancy (age appropriate of course), and having her interact with my belly like rubbing it, saying hi to baby sister in Mama's tummy, etc. Has anyone else been doing something similar? Maybe doing something different? Would love some suggestions on how to help our littles with this huge transition coming up!

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Yes we’ve done all of that! I’ve also planned on having her help with small tasks so she feels involved and 1 hour a day, dad is going to take new baby so me and my first born can have our time just me and her. She already loves babies ♥️ so that’s helping us

We've also been doing those things. I love what said about purposely making time each day for your older child. My son gets so much attention now that I'm afraid he'll struggle with the transition.

Im due June 11th with baby girl too! Congratulations 🎊

My son is 19 months so we are super close! I’ve started to introduce my belly more and reference baby. He’s fortunately already a very loving and cuddly guy so I’m hoping that translates to little brother. I’ll have him help me with small tasks, never blame the baby for less time with him etc and try to get some one on one time daily. ❤️

I also have an 18 month old and a baby due June 24! We haven’t done as much as you have. I’ve read her a big sister book, point at my belly and say there’s a baby in there, and she plays with dolls and puts blankets on them. Also planning to keep her in daycare when baby is born to keep her routine and for each me and my hubby to have 1:1 time with her when she gets home and on weekends.

My son is 5, and Autistic now verbally. I’m prepping him by involving him in as much of the pregnancy as I can. Brought him to the last ultrasound. N I’ll bring him to our 4/D ultrasound as well. I’m not sure he fully understands but he tells everyone all the time that he has a baby sister. Even if she haven’t been born yet. I plan to take him shopping for a toy for her and buy him a toy from her. N have them “exchange” at the hospital. The only way I know how to connect them is by keeping him involved every step of the way.

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Baby clothes

Just out of curiosity, why do parents love zipper onesies?

Don’t get me wrong, I tried zipper ones it’s easy to zip in and out when putting it on the first time and taking it out, but I find it difficult when changing diapers especially when baby is asleep.

I prefer those kimono style buttons where it’s easy to button or too down button with crotch snaps.

Is everyone thinking the same or different? Lol

AITA

In the uk there is an outbreak of meningitis, in a specific area mainly. My BD has family from that area and decided to go and meet up with them, I said if he does then he cannot have contact with the kids for 7-10 days after incase he picks anything up. Am I being over dramatic? I reallyyy don’t want my young kids getting anything serious

This might rattle some people

Ok, this might get a bit long, and a bit bumpy, so get comfy and buckle up.

So about a week or 2 ago, there was a post on here regarding sleepovers. Not letting their child go to them as you can't trust who'll be at the house etc.

Now, given recent incidents in nurseries and schools, plus my own experience back in the 90s, I am more concerned about sending my child to nursery and later school than I am to a friend's house for a sleep over.

The other day a man was jailed for abusing children at the nursery he worked at. A woman has been arrested for sleeping with an underage boy and then getting pregnant by a different underage boy while on bail for the first offence.

Young girls and boys get sexually harassed and bullied when at school, not all of them. But more than you think. And not just by other kids, but by adults who we as parents are trusting to look after our kids.

A sleepover, is a more controlled environment, with only a handful of people coming into contact with your child. A school, a club etc there can be 100s of people coming into contact with your child.

I was targeted at 7 years old by the owner of a prominent private school. Thankfully, I wasn't SA'd. In year 5 of primary school, I started to develop early, I was harassed by the boys and teachers made remarks about how my uniform didn't fit right, always "adjusting it" around my chest and legs.

Years 7-9 of secondary school were hell. But it was all under the guise of "we're just messing around". A teacher twanging my exposed bra strap (none uniform day) is not "messing around".

Boys pinning me down trying to rip open my shirt to see my breasts.

I fear for my daughter. I hope she takes after my father's family, flat chested.

We need to educate all our children, what is acceptable behaviour. And to come to us, as their parents should ANYTHING happen.

At this point I’m not enjoying motherhood

My 22 month old is horrendous at the moment🫣 biting, hitting, pushing, pulling and shoving not only adults but children he also wants what other children have and will just snatch it away from them.

We repeat ‘nice hands’ ‘be gentle’ ‘let’s share’ etc

But how do I make him understand what he’s doing isn’t very nice? At the end of the day I feel like I’ve just been saying his name all day and nothing else.

What can I do?

Car seat

No idea which car seat to get next. Please hit me with your recommendations, 1year+ (preferably rear facing or 360). Thank you 🫶🏻

Dummy

My baby has had a dummy since about 2 weeks old (now 5 months) and over the course of the last month we weaned her off it during the day only for naps and night (which was fine) and then 5 days took it completely away during the day.

The first day no dummy was fine, the second bit rougher. But now it feels impossible she just moans and cries all the time it takes ages for her to go down to sleep (she’s always been an amazing sleeper)

I thought it was meant to get better as time went on not worse. I’m at my wits end I dunno what to do.

Currently typing this as she screams uncontrollably in the car and I cry with her cos I can’t do anything.