Backpacks, Baby Bumps & Becoming a Mom of Two
With the year-long Florida sunshine, back-to-school season can sneak up quickly. Especially if you are also gearing up to welcome baby #2! Continue reading below to hear more about what One Love has to say about thriving during this next chapter.
Fall To-Do List Looks a Little Different This Year…
With baby number two on the way and the list of suggested materials from the teacher looming on the kitchen counter, your to-do list might be looking a bit different than last school season. It might even be your first school year with your oldest and trying to also prepare for the fourth trimester can be a lot to think about. One Love has got you covered - first things first, take a deep breath. Between schedules, lunches, and supplies, while also trying to balance prenatal appointments and baby prep, there are a lot of moving pieces. It's important to hold space for the reality that things may not be quite exactly as envisioned. You are doing the best you can and that is all that you can do. Taking things one step at a time, and finding creative ways to stay organized can be helpful. Think outside the box to get past mommy-brain, like writing on your bathroom mirror with dry erase markers, or setting alarms for snack breaks and self-care reminders.
Preparing Your Big Kid for Baby
Transitioning from being the only kid in the home, to welcoming a little sibling can be a lot for the older child to process. It can be helpful to involve your child in the transition in ways that you know will bring enjoyment and inclusion to your first baby. For example, if your child loves drawing, perhaps ask them to draw a special picture to be hung in the nursery. Or, encourage them to help pick out a special gift to welcome their sibling home.
Encourage open dialogue and let your child know its okay to have big feelings, even if they can quite express how they are feeling in words. Remind them of your constant presence and reassure them that while things will change, nothing can move the love that exists between you and them. We know that some days can be harder than others. If you are having a difficult time navigating the stress of transitioning and early parenthood, The Parent Stress Line is available 24/7 so you don’t have to face it alone.
Need additional help at home during the postpartum journey? Reach out to us to schedule in home Postpartum support.
Give Yourself Permission to Simplify:
They’ll be no shortage of things to do and never enough hours in the day. Sometimes, its crucial to give ourselves permission to simplify and streamline as much as we can. Think “work smarter, not harder.” What are some ways to maximise the efficiency of your home and knock two birds with one stone? Try to streamline your morning when possible and prepare a large batch of iced coffee or tea readily available in the refrigerator. Batch prepping things like breakfast muffins can be a great way to ensure getting in quick nutrients while also being able to be on-the-go.
Its also important to acknowledge that everything just might not get done, and that is okay. There are only so many hours in a day and you are only one person. Certain things might not make the cut in your routine this year, that doesn’t mean they’ll be gone forever, just taking a brief seasonal break.
Remember that this time isn't just about preparing for baby number two, but also about creating yet another version of yourself. Take this season as a reminder to soak in pockets of quiet connection where you can, and give yourself grace when those louder, more expressive moments come to the surface. Whenever you can, give yourself gratitude for all that you are holding and know that whatever your best looks like today, that is okay.
Wanting to connect with other moms this school year? Join the Support Group at One Love Nest!
Wondering where to find a doula near you? Look no further! One Love provides comprehensive support for expectant and new parents in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Land O’ Lakes, Lakeland, Plant City, Downtown Tampa, and beyond.
Our services include Tampa doula support, day of doula, childbirth education, placenta encapsulation, in-home postpartum doula care, specialized lactation support by our CLC’s and IBCLC’s, and sleep training!
Plus, we offer virtual services to accommodate your needs. Let's embark on your amazing birth and postpartum journey together!
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