The Desperate Mom’s Little Guide to Surviving Life with 2 Under 2

Living in survival mode with two children under two is completely and utterly exhausting. Here’s how to make it through and come out smiling, momma!

Hey there momma! Do you have two kids under the age of two? Or are you expecting 2 under 2?

If so, then you know how challenging this time of your life can be!!  😬 Raising two kids under the age of two is not for the faint of heart!  🤣😂

It’s okay, though, momma. You’ll make it through. Promise.

All it takes is a little prepping, some great planning, and a whole heck of a lot of patience.

A cup of (good!) coffee every morning and a glass of wine every evening doesn’t hurt either.  😉

In this guide, I’ll share that trick, and everything else I learned, raising not two, but three boys, all two and under!!

Buckle your seatbelt, momma. It’s gonna be a bumpy ride!!

What does 2 under 2 mean?

Having two under two means you have two children under the age of two years old. There is a very small age gap between your kids.

There’s many different ways this could play out:

✔︎ A newborn baby and a 1-year-old

✔︎ An infant and an 18-month-old

✔︎ An infant and a 24-month-old

✔︎ Two infants – or twins

Of course, you could also have two toddlers, but if you do, you’re probably already a pro at having two under two and wouldn’t be reading this post.  😉

What is it like, having 2 under 2?

HARD!!  😂🤣

And don’t let anyone tell you otherwise! Because they are lying!!

Actually, I didn’t have two under two. 

I had three under two.

Twin babies and a barely-two-year-old.

Do you want to know how hard that was?

I was living in survival mode. Literally. I lived from one moment to the next. I couldn’t think past the moment I was in.  I couldn’t think about a week down the road or even the next day. 

Actually, to be brutally honest, I couldn’t think.  😆 There was never time to finish a complete thought. I am not kidding.

My husband lovingly dubbed those years “The Dark Years.”

And that is how we still refer to them. Not because we didn’t love our children or anything. But because they were literally the hardest years we’ve ever faced.

I could tell you story after story after story about those years, but then we’d never get to how to survive them!

So, if you want to read more stories about surviving the dark years, you can check out these posts:

What Having Twins Has Taught Me

Double the Trouble

Twice the Blessings

Good Morning, Sunshine! Ha. Not. We Pulled an All-Nighter

Sleep…It’s Overrated

And not to scare you, but just one more story…

The twins were five months old, and Toots was 2 ½…. I left my husband in charge for the first time ever and went out to eat with my mom and my sister, for my birthday. We might have done some shopping too; I can’t remember.

But when I came home, I asked my hubby how it went.

“I wanted to throw all three of them in the snowbank and leave them there,” he said.

And he was dead serious.

And the sad part is, I couldn’t even be angry with him. Because he’s not wrong.

Having 2 (or 3!) kids under 2 is so incredibly trying. It will test you in ways you didn’t know you could even be tested in.

Of course, he never threw them in the snowbank.  😅

Needless to say, I didn’t leave him in charge for a very long time after that.  😆

At what age does 2 under 2 get easier?

When they move out?  😁

🤣😂

I don’t know. I honestly couldn’t tell you because each age comes with its own set of challenges. 

I mean, I could say it gets easier when the baby is a toddler and the oldest is a preschooler, but that definitely has its own challenges.

There’s a lot of fighting at that stage, because the toddler isn’t quite ready to share, and the preschooler is learning that you should share. But that doesn’t mean the preschooler always wants to share! 

Especially with a baby that never reciprocates!  😆

Plus, the nights are still really, really hard. For me, we had all three getting out of bed every night. Repeatedly. We never slept during those years.

So not kidding you.

I guess I could say that when the twins turned three, and Toots turned five, it got a bit easier.  There was still a lot of fighting, though.

Oh, who am I kidding?!? They are ten and eight now, and there is STILL a lot of fighting!!  😂🤣 They are boys, so fighting often means punches thrown and heads knocked together.

I remember one day when the twins were around a year old? Two?  I’m not sure…  Ali constantly took toys from his brothers.  He knew what he wanted, and he took it.

And poor sweet little Boo always put up with it. He just let Ali have it. 

But one day, he was having none of that.  He looked MAD when Ali took his toy. So, my husband says, “Go kick his a** Boo!!”  🤦🏻‍♀️

So, what does Boo do? He does his little orangutang crawl (he broke his foot and had a boot on it) over to Ali and pounds him!!  😂🤣 My husband didn’t think Boo would actually understand what he was saying. 

Not one of my hubby’s finer moments.  😆

When the twins started Kindergarten, I think it got easier.  😁  For a brief six months. And then covid hit and I was homeschooling three children, two in kindergarten, and one kid in 2nd grade.

So moral of the story? Each stage brings about its own set of challenges.

How do I prepare for 2 under 2?

Oh, how I wish I would have had the common sense to prepare myself!!  😂🤣 

Let me tell you…. I was one vain momma! I thought I had this in the bag. I was a good mom, after all. 

I had the skills I needed and loads of patience.

I ran a daycare, and I worked as a social worker in the elementary, often running social skills groups.  I had this in the bag.

🙄

Momma, I don’t care how good of a mom you are. It is still going to be hard. 

And you need to prepare. 

Here’s what I’d do if I could do it over again.

1.  Make sure your house is big enough

Love grows best in little houses?

Not with two under two!  😆 Well, maybe if they are the only two kids you have.

But we had three under two, and three big boys. Our house suddenly felt infinitely smaller.

We sold it and moved into a bigger house when the twins were just 11 months old.  😂🤣

Buying a house with three little kids all under three years old is NOT recommended. I’d definitely make sure your house is big enough to support your growing family.

Also make sure it feels like a home because you will be spending a lot of time there in the next couple of years.  😉

2.  Get the necessary baby items

You are going to need containment units, momma!!  😆 (That’s what my husband calls them.)

We’ll talk more about this in a bit, but for now, just keep in mind that you are going to need things like playpens, strollers, activity centers, bouncy chairs, baby carriers, and literally so much more. 

You are going to need a safe place to put both, the baby, and the toddler.  Because you can’t always hold both of them.

3.  Learn as much as you can

Seriously.

I thought I knew everything. After all, I was a veteran mom. I already had four boys. What’s a couple more?

😂🤣

Sure, I knew all of the parenting techniques. But I didn’t know what to do when both babies were sick and crying for comfort at the same time.

Or what to do when my toddler bounces a ball in the house, waking the babies – for the fifth time today. After I just (finally!) got them to sleep – again.

And I had no idea how to get groceries with two infants and a toddler!  😂🤣

A guide like this would’ve been amazing.

So, read as much as you can, now, before the baby comes. Watch as many videos as you can. And take as much advice as you can. Don’t be offended by anyone who offers advice.

You can decide later if it’s good advice or not. Trust me.  😉

You’ll find yourself doing things you thought you’d never do.  😆

4.  Tackle your finances now

If there is any part of your financial situation that is subpar, momma, take care of it now, before baby comes.

Because things are about to get harder.

You won’t have time to monkey around with your finances much. When you do have free time, you’ll be way too tired to put any coherent thought processes together well enough to tackle your finances, anyways.  😆

And if you can think straight, you’ll not want to waste time managing your money! That’s precious time that you can be doing something that you actually enjoy doing!  😂🤣

No, it’s better to get things set up now. 

Here’s what I’d do:

⇢ Pay down any debt you have. Pay off as much as you can and make an active plan – that you can stick to – to keep paying it down after the baby is born, including not taking on any more debt.

⇢ Create a stay-at-home mom budget. Make sure it is realistic and something you can stick to.

⇢ Build a savings. If you don’t already have a savings built up, you’d better start! Things will pull tight and you might need to dip in there every once in a while to cover a bill or two.

⇢ Consider putting bills on auto-pay. I think most people do this already, but if you don’t you might want to consider it, because, as I said, you won’t have time to actually sit down and pay your bills.

⇢ Create a money-management routine. If you don’t already have a system for managing your finances, I’d start creating one now, before baby is born. You need to make it a habit so that you can do it brain-dead and on auto-pilot after baby is born.

I’d learn as much as I could about managing money on just one income if I were you.  You are going to be sleep-deprived and brain-dead. So is your husband. 

And money is probably the biggest issue all couples face. It can – and does – lead to divorce.

Plus, your hormones are going to be ca-razy…and you’ll be exhausted. Your hubby too.  So, you’ll both find it easier to argue and fight with each other.

Go on the offensive and take charge of your financial situation now, so that it doesn’t tear you apart after the second child is born.

Here’s a few places to start:

Budgeting to be a Stay-at-Home Mom:  How Much Should I Save?

How to be a Stay at Home Mom on One Income – and Still Survive

How to Create a Budget as a Stay-at-Home Mom

How to be a Stay-at-Home Mom:  A Completely Honest Guide to Becoming a Sahm

5.  Spend as much time with your toddler as you can

Yes, your toddler needs it.

But you need it more. 

Things will never be the same again, momma.

You will never get these days back.

The moment you bring that new sweet bouncing bundle of joy home, your relationship with your toddler will change. It’s inevitable.

And you’ll miss how it is, right now.

I remember having a lot of mom guilt when the twins were born because my little Toots got jipped out of having his own “basking in the joy of being the baby” time. 

He only got to be the baby of the family for two short, tiny years. And then, all of a sudden, he was forced to grow up.

It was hard on him, no doubt. But it was hard on me, too. I missed that time with him, and I wanted it back.

But of course, there’s no going back.

So, enjoy every sweet moment that you possibly can right now. Because you’re gonna miss it.

6.  Prepare your toddler

Just as you kind of need to prepare yourself for a changing relationship with your toddler, you also need to prepare your toddler for no longer being the baby.

You definitely don’t want your toddler to resent the new baby. (Or, in my case, babies.)

We’ll go into this deeper in a bit.

7.  Build your support network

You’re gonna need one!!

You need people who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty, momma!

You’ll need babysitters, house cleaners, and free meals.  😆

You’ll need a good friend or two that you can call when you need to vent.

You need people who are the calm voice of reason when all h-e-double-hockey-sticks is breaking loose. These will be the people who can talk you down from the ledge and tell you what to do next.  😉

You’ll also need a butt-load of cheerleaders, who’ll keep you going and celebrate every little success with you.  😁

And you’ll need someone who just refuses to give up on you, momma. Because there will be times when you want to never, ever, ever leave your house again. And that friend needs to force you to.  😂 And then remind you how to behave out in public.  🤣😂 🤷🏻‍♀️

If you don’t have people like this in your life, it’s time to start building some relationships.

8.  Bullet-proof your marriage

I don’t know exactly how to do this, momma. I just know that you and your husband are going to fight. Over very stupid things.

Your hormones will be racing. And you’ll both be stressed out and tired.

You’ll need to pull together as a team and lean on each other.

But the chances are higher that you’ll tear each other apart.  🤣😂  Hey, no judgment here.  It’s just what people do when they are under stress.

So, start building your relationship now. Make it as strong as you can.

Practice talking things through, instead of bottling it all up. 

Share your feelings, hopes, dreams, fears, and disappointments. Learn to speak up for your needs and encourage him to do the same. 

Also, start setting some good, healthy boundaries.

Learning how to do all of this now will set you up for success after baby is born.

And above all else, remember to always come together as a couple at the end of the day. You need time for just the two of you, on a daily basis. Your relationship is the foundation of your children’s home life.

Make it a good one.

If you don’t know where to start, read 5 Easy Ways to Connect with Your Husband Every Day.

What do you need, for 2 under 2?

Okay, don’t panic, but there are a lot of things that you will need, to make it through the next few years. And while you definitely don’t need everything on this list, the more you have, the easier it’ll be, to manage.

But also remember, these items all take up space. If you have a tiny house, it’ll be hard to have so much baby clutter!

Also, it’s all very expensive. And you are now on a sahm budget.  😆 So, don’t go overboard. 

Get just what you think you really need. I promise every child can and will grow up just fine without these items.

They aren’t for the baby – they are for you.  😉 Just to make managing two under two much easier.

But here’s how to make it more affordable:

• Buy just the basics, and get the rest later, if you think you need it

• Buy on sale or clearance

• Buy at garage sales, secondhand stores, and on Facebook

• Sell the baby items as your baby outgrows them and use that money to invest in the next item

• If someone is going to give you a baby gift, ask for cash, to put towards one of these items, or ask for the item

• Accept hand-me-downs

Alrighty, with that said, let’s talk about baby containment units.  😉

Also, this post does contain Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase an item from this post, I may receive a small commission.  I only recommend products I use and trust, and it costs you nothing extra. 

For more information, see my disclosure policy. 

1.  Baby containment units

So, anything that can contain the baby or toddler for you, while you get other stuff done, qualifies as a baby containment unit.  😆  Here’s what I recommend:

Activity Center

There’s a couple of different kinds of activity centers you can get.

• Floor activity center:  This lays on the floor, for your baby to roll around and play. I’d recommend getting one that grows with your baby so that he can sit up and play too.

• Bouncer activity center:  This is the kind that your child sits in and can kind of bounce and twirl around. There is usually a tray with tons of toys and activities surrounding him as well. 

Baby carrier

Okay, I’m not gonna lie; I don’t use baby carriers.  I don’t like them!  😆 I tried one when my oldest was a baby, and it was so hard to get him in and out of it!!

I never used one again.

But they might be better now than they were back then. You’ll have to try one out for yourself and see if it works for you.

If it does, it can be a great way to leave your hands free, so that you can also take care of your toddler.

Baby Gate

You can get all sorts of baby gates now. If you have a big, open area that you need to gate off, you can even use pet gates.  😉

There will be times when your baby and toddler need to play, but you are busy (like cooking supper) and can’t keep them from wandering into another room or tumbling down the stairs.

A lot of open-room floor plans no longer have doors to shut, to keep your child contained where you are.

So, baby gates work perfectly!

Bassinet on Wheels

I’d get a bassinet on wheels because it is portable. You can lay the baby in it and take it to wherever you and your toddler are hanging out. 

That way you can keep an eye on both at all times.  😉

Plus, it doubles as a safe place to change your baby.

Bouncer

You will want a bouncer to put your baby in when you cannot hold him. I know they tell you not to put them on tables and such, but I always did. I liked having them up high, where I could easily see them, and where they were safe – away from reach of the toddler.  😆

I’d put a baby in the bouncer while I was cooking meals.

Bumbo Chair

Oh, these little things are amazing!  😆  I didn’t have one with the oldest three – they weren’t invented yet.  😆  But I wish I had.

You can put your baby in a Bumbo chair and put him up on the table while you cook and clean. I know, I know, they say not to. 

But they have to put those warnings on there.  🤷🏻‍♀️  Just supervise your child – don’t leave the room when you have your baby on the dining room table.  🤣😂

Double Stroller

Momma, just invest in a double stroller.

I know your toddler is able to walk now, but he’s still a baby, momma. 

His short little legs aren’t going to be able to go very far before he gets tired! He’ll be begging to be picked up.

Or he’ll want to ride because the baby is riding.  🤷🏻‍♀️

Plus, a double stroller provides a place to put the car seat – and the toddler! 

And you are going to have a big diaper bag and who knows what else!! You don’t want to lug all that around. Use a stroller to carry it all.

I relied on my double stroller as an extra set of hands. I often went grocery shopping with it and ran errands with it. It was a lifesaver.

Foam Play Mat

If you have flooring, rather than carpet, you might want a foam play mat for your kids. It provides a nice, soft, clean place to play.

Plus, if you have pets, it’s nice. Because you can lay it down for the kids to play with and then pick it up afterward. That way, it stays free from pet hair.

Highchair

Your toddler will need a highchair, for meals, of course. But it doubles as a containment unit, momma!  😆

When the twins were toddlers, I put them in their high chairs while I made supper. And I gave them things to do, that I didn’t otherwise let them do.  Like finger paint.  🤣😂

It makes a mess, for sure, but hey 🤷🏻‍♀️ they’re gonna have a bath after supper anyways. 

Just be sure to use an edible finger paint recipe.

Pack N Play

Get one that can double as a bassinet, and even as a changing station. They are so handy! 

You can put the baby in it to sleep, near you and the toddler, or it can be a safe place for the baby to hang out and play if you are busy. 

Plus, unlike the bassinet, they fold up and go with you. So, you can use it traveling, or take it outside to play.

Play Yard

Okay, this is something I did not have when my kids were little. And I wish I did!!

My son has one for his only child, and let me tell you! Brilliant, baby!!

He has one for three reasons: 

• He has hardwood floors, and the floors are cold

• He has one dog and two cats, and all three sheds

• It is a safe place for his son to play, while he gets stuff done

If you have two under two, you can keep the baby safe from the toddler by setting up a play yard for the toddler. 

Or vice versa.  🤷🏻‍♀️

Portable Bassinet

A portable bassinet has a net cover for your baby. It is designed to be used on the go, so you can take it outside or traveling. It’ll keep your baby shaded and bug-free. 

Some also have toys dangling from the ceiling, to keep your baby entertained.

You’ll want one when you take your toddler outside or go on play dates.  😉

Rug

A lot of people have flooring now, rather than carpet. This can be hard on babies and toddlers. A nice big, soft rug is perfect for playing and tummy time.

Sandbox

Yes, I know it’s an odd thing to add to this list.  😆  But ours was priceless.

Every morning and every afternoon we’d head outside to play in that sandbox. My little Toots needed it!

And if you are busy with the baby, your toddler can play happily in that sandbox for a long time. 

It’s a great babysitter.  😉

Swing

Definitely get a swing. Put it on your “necessary” list. 

Not only does it provide a place to deposit a child, when you need free hands, but it also soothes a crabby baby. And if you have a challenging baby a swing can be a lifesaver.

2.  Other lifesaving baby products

There are a few other things you may want to invest in, that don’t contain your children, but certainly make parenting two under two a heck of a lot easier!

Baby Leash

Okay, I don’t use baby leashes. 

I personally think it is very degrading, to a child. 

But…. after having two under two… well, I can see how they might be useful. At some point, maybe we have to stop worrying about how things look, or how it might make someone feel, and opt for safety, instead.

I mean, how would your toddler feel, kidnapped? I’d take humiliation over a kidnapped baby any day.  🤷🏻‍♀️

So, know what works for your family. If you have a toddler who constantly runs, and doesn’t listen, a baby leash might be for you.

(Check out this post for a funny story on baby leashes:  She Seems Perfectly Sane…)

Baby monitor

Have you seen Toy Story?  🤣😂  That’s the kind of baby monitor I had.

I love the new ones!!

My son has a video monitor. I love it – quickly and easily put your mind at ease, momma, by peeking in on your baby without actually opening the door and sneaking into the bedroom!

Brilliant!

But be careful, momma. I think being able to constantly monitor your little one might also make you susceptible to anxiety.

I mean, at some point, you just have to trust that your baby is alive, well, happy, and sleeping. 

If you constantly watch the monitor, to see his chest heaving up and down…. 😬 it can create an anxiety disorder. And before you know it, you can’t even sleep, because you have to constantly check to see that he’s breathing.

Boppy Pillow

Mmmm…. I think my daughter-in-law was very careful with the Boppy Pillow she chose, and when she used it.  I’ve been out of the infant scene for a while now, so I’m not sure why; or what the concern was.

But I had a Boppy pillow for the twins and it was a lifesaver!!

I needed it to nurse the twins at the same time. I used it to help cradle them to my breast. And believe me, if you have two infants and a toddler, you are DEFINITELY going to want to nurse them at the same time. 

Otherwise, all you do, all day long, is nurse one baby after the other.

Also, the Boppy Pillow was priceless for floor time. When the twins were learning how to sit up, we used it during playtime.

I couldn’t hold two babies in the sitting position, after all. 

So, I’d consider it if I were you. But maybe do your research first.  😉

Breast Pump

Momma, if you plan on nursing your baby, you’d better invest in a good quality breast pump.

Nursing will take up a lot of your time – taking you away from your toddler.

And then on top of that, you’ll want to pump. Pumping helps to increase your milk supply and to build a stockpile of milk, for the days you aren’t with your baby.

But you don’t have time for a crappy, slow machine, or a hand pump! You have a toddler waiting to play, momma!  So, get a good one, get it done, and get back to that baby!  (Your toddler… 😉)

Hatch

Another brilliant item I wish we had when our kids were little!!

In fact, my son better watch out…my husband wants to steal his grandson’s Hatch in the worst way!!  🤣😂

A nap/bedtime routine is going to be your best friend, momma. Say it with me: 

A bedtime routine is my best friend.

That’s right!  😁

I could go on and on about the importance of a bedtime routine, but I’ve covered it repeatedly elsewhere on the blog:

Shannon’s Bedtime Tips

Sleep:  It’s Overrated

12 Super Important Benefits to a Daily Sahm Routine

How to Help Your Child Fall Asleep When You Spend the Night Away From Home

Anyway, when my kids were growing up, we had CD players. And cassette players.  😆 And finally, Pandora on my phone for the last three.

We relied on lullaby music to train our children to get sleepy. Seriously. Read those above posts to see how that works. 

But the minute the music came on, they started yawning.

A Hatch works in the exact same way. And it’s way more portable than a CD player.  😉  I’d definitely invest in one. Or another noise machine. 

Pacifiers

Some people swear by them, others hate them.  🤷🏻‍♀️

I loved them.

Sometimes it’s very hard to soothe two infants at once. A pacifier can be your best friend.  😉

If you choose to use a pacifier, try many different kinds. Some babies will take one style, but not another.

Once you find the one your baby likes, stock up on them! Because they are oh, so easy to lose!  And you don’t want to be running to town because your inconsolable baby just wants his binky!  😂🤣

Thermos

Another odd suggestion, I know. But this one was my son’s brilliant idea.

If you don’t nurse, you will need to warm up water for a bottle. And it takes FOREVER when you have a screaming baby.  🙄

So, my son would boil the baby’s water in the morning, and then keep it in a thermos all day long. That way, when the baby wanted a bottle, the water was ready to go!

The nice thing about this is that you can just grab the thermos and go when you leave the house, too. I can’t tell you how many times my poor babies had to drink cold bottles when we were shopping!  😂🤣

I wish I would’ve thought to use a thermos.  🤦🏻‍♀️

Don’t use a high-quality thermos; it’ll keep the water too hot. You actually want the water to slowly cool off throughout the day.

So, use a cheaper thermos.  😉

How do I prepare my 2-year-old for a new baby?

I should have prepared my 2-year-old for the birth of the twins. But I was so busy being exhausted that I really didn’t have the time.  😂😂

Still, it’s always best to prepare your child for the birth of the next child, regardless of your child’s age. Sharing mom is hard, no matter how old you are! 

So, here’s what you can do, to prepare your toddler for the new baby:

1.  Read books about bringing home a new baby

Books like I Am a Big Brother, I Am a Big Sister, and Waiting for Baby are great choices. Your toddler may have a very hard time understanding that there is a living, breathing being in your tummy, just waiting to come out! 

It’s a very abstract concept that he is not going to grasp until that baby is born.

And then he may very well want you to put it back.  🤣😂  Reading books about bringing a new baby home can help him to (slowly) understand.

2.  Give your 2-year-old a baby doll

Even if your toddler is a boy.

Having a doll will help make this abstract concept a little more concrete.  You can refer to the doll as your toddler’s baby and bring it into the conversation when you are talking about your own baby.

3.  Talk about the baby often

Involve your toddler in the pregnancy! Mention the baby often. Have your toddler feel the baby kick. Ask your toddler to help you pick out baby items, such as stuffed animals, clothing, toys, books, and more. 

Some people even let their toddler name the baby.  😆  I wouldn’t because you never know what name you’ll get! But to each their own. 

4.  Toddler-proof the entire house

Yes, every room. Because you have no idea which rooms you’ll need to go into, with the baby, or why. And the toddler will have to go with you.

5.  Try to get rid of the pacifier before baby comes

A toddler will use a pacifier for security, so remember that. 

When the baby comes, there will be a million and one reasons why your toddler feels insecure, and having to give up the pacifier at that point will only make the transition that much harder.

So, if you can do it, do it before baby is born. But keep in mind, your toddler knows something is up even right now! He might not fully grasp this baby thing, but he knows mom is preoccupied with something other than him, and this too, may make him insecure.

He may not want to let go of that pacifier yet. 

I honestly wouldn’t stress about it, either way. 

Yes, I know it’s hard on their teeth. But I’ve had six kids, and never once has the dentist told me their teeth were ruined by sucking on a pacifier too long.  🤷🏻‍♀️

After six kids, you learn not to sweat the small stuff.  😅  So do what feels right to you, and just remember, it may be harder after baby is born.

6.  Potty train before baby is born

Okay, that one I really would push. Because it will be really, really hard to potty train with a baby. 

So, your options for potty training are before baby is born, or after baby is older. 

Totally up to you. Keep in mind, if you potty train before baby is born, you may have some regression after baby is born. This is totally normal and will show up in more areas than just potty training. 

Just because your toddler is insecure. Just be patient and loving. It’ll eventually work itself out.

7. Introduce the toddler bed before baby is born

Just like with potty training, momma, you want to tackle this transition before baby is born. Otherwise, your child might resist the change to his routine, after baby is born. The whole security thing… 🤷🏻‍♀️

Again, if he resists it, don’t sweat it! It’ll work itself out eventually.

8.  Teach independence

You are going to have your hands full, momma! You won’t always be able to hold your toddler. Or help him get a drink of water. Or put on his shoes.

Or brush his teeth. Or do a million other things.

So, start teaching your toddler to do as much as he can by himself right now. 

Just keep in mind that there is a big difference in the age span of toddlers. A 24-month-old can do so much more than a 12-month or even an 18-month-old can!

So, know your child’s developmental age and stages, and plan accordingly.

Preparation doesn’t end at baby’s birth

You do a lot of work to prepare your toddler for the birth of your baby, but it doesn’t end there, momma! Your toddler is going to feel incredibly insecure when that baby is born, so now you have to help him make the transition to being big brother.

Here’s how:

1.  Remember the toddler when gift-giving.

Everyone is going to bring the baby presents. Can you imagine being a one or two-year-old, and watching this baby get present after present?

My sisters-in-law always remembered to bring the older child a present every time a new sibling was born in our house.  And I love them for it!!  💕

Even if no one else remembers your toddler, you can!!

When you bring that brand new bundle full of joy home, bring home a little something for big brother or big sister too! 

2.  Set aside quality time with your toddler.

Your toddler needs one on one time every day.

Yes, it will be hard. But it is oh, so important!!

When daddy comes home, hand the baby off, and go play with your older child. With no interruptions.

And daddy needs to do the same thing.

You don’t want your toddler feeling like he comes in second place. You want him to know that you love him just as much as you always have and that nothing is going to change that. Not even a new baby.

3.  Keep your same routines, as much as you can.

Some things are going to change, and there’s no way to get around that. But try to keep as much as you can the same, for your toddler’s sake.

Keep your same bedtime and nap time routines.  Don’t skip reading a book or singing a song, if that’s what you usually do. Your toddler needs it.

4.  Validate your toddler’s feelings.

Your toddler might not like that baby.  🤣😂  That’s just a fact of life. Toddlers don’t like to share, and they certainly don’t want to share the one thing at the center of their entire world:  YOU.

So, allow your older child to feel his feelings. They are perfectly normal. Validate them, by saying things like, “I know having a new little brother is so hard!” when he says he hates the baby, or “I know it’s frustrating, have a little baby taking up so much of mommy’s time.”

You can even go as far as saying it’s hard for you, too. Because it’s the truth!  😆

The point is, don’t tell your toddler, “No, that’s not nice to say. You like your new baby brother.” Or something like that.

Allow your toddler to feel – and appropriately express – his resentment and frustration.

5.  Involve your toddler when you can.

Little kids love to help!! And they love to be just like mom and dad. 

So, have them help pick out the baby’s clothes, grab the diaper-changing stuff, or sing the baby to sleep. However, you can involve the toddler, do it.

Also, remember that baby doll? Give it to your older child, and let him imitate you! He can change his baby doll when you change the real baby.

Consider buying a few other “house” toys, like a broom, vacuum, little kitchen, etc. Your toddler is at the perfect age to play house, and mimic everything you are doing with the baby during the day.

6.  Consider enrolling your toddler in a “big kid” activity.

Something that your toddler can do, without the new sibling around. Maybe dad brings him, every Tuesday night, or maybe even you get to.  😁

It’s some special “Mommy and Me” time, out of the house, without the second child. 

7.  Never leave the baby alone with the toddler.

Never. I don’t care how tempting it is, or how fast you will be.

I was literally walking into the back room, at the lake, just for a quick second. I had the twins laying on the floor, playing. And Toots was in the living room too, playing nicely.  I was gone for a split second, to put something away.

I came back out to Toots stomping on his baby brother!!  😱

I trusted him, and I should not have.

Don’t make that mistake.

How do you organize with 2 under 2?

Ah yes, my biggest struggle. Getting stuff done with three kids, all two and under.  🙄

I’m gonna tell you right now, momma, it ain’t easy. 

I am one of those people who has to be busy, doing stuff, all day long. Go, go go!

But you have to slow down. And that was really hard for me. I had a house to clean, meals to cook, laundry to do, cookies to bake, and a garden that needed tending to. 

Learning how to manage my time differently was really, really, hard for me. But eventually, I did. 

Here’s what worked for me:

1.  Create a daily routine

First and foremost, create a daily routine with your kiddos, and stick to it!!

I’m not going to say much on this, because I write a lot about creating a daily sahm routine on the blog, so you can read those posts.

Just suffice it to say that you should try to include the following in your routine:

⇢ Use every room in the house that you can, moving through them at the same time each day. This way, no one gets bored, which helps to keep behavior issues at a low.

⇢ Use the house to set the mood. Things like your lighting, open and/or closed drapes, music, etc. can all set the mood in your home, helping to manage child behavior.

⇢ Go outside as much as possible. Not only is fresh air and sunshine good for everyone, but it also helps you all to feel less cooped up. This, too, helps to manage your toddler’s behavior.

Here’s a few more posts to read, about creating a daily routine:

How to Structure Your Days as a Sahm

The Secret to a Great Stay-at-Home Mom Schedule

12 Super Important Benefits to a Daily Sahm Routine

How to Create a Daily Sahm Routine Using Time Chunking

How to Create the Best Morning Routine for Your Stay-at-Home Mom Schedule

How to Make the Best Stay-at-Home Moms Schedule with an Infant

How to Create a Daily Schedule for Stay-at-Home Moms of Toddlers

2.  Prep every room in the house with toys and baby items

You need to put a little basket of toys in every single room of your house, for the toddler. And any odd things you might need in another basket, for the baby.

This can include extra pacifiers, diapers, wipes, spit rags, etc. Because if you are busy with the toddler in one room, the last thing you want to do is pack up the toddler and the baby to run upstairs to the baby’s room to wipe a boogie or change a diaper.

I used to keep toys literally in every room, for the toddler. Even in my big boys’ rooms and in the bathrooms.  😆  That way, when I’m helping my oldest with homework, or putting clothes away, the toddler has fun “new” toys to play with!

And let’s face it, momma, you aren’t going to be peeing alone for a few years.  🤣😂  Might as well stash some toys in that bathroom.

Oh, just a pro tip or two:

During nap time, pick up all the toys and return them to the baskets. It’s fun for the toddler to pull them all back out again! And that’ll buy you a few more seconds of independent playtime so that you can get other stuff done.

And don’t forget to rotate the toys! This keeps them new and exciting.

3.  Use nap time wisely

DO NOT use nap time to scroll through your phone or binge-watch the latest show!!!  🤣😂  That is literally a waste of time.

And don’t claim self-care, either. Because I promise you, momma, you will feel mentally better if you get your crap done during nap time. Promise.  😉  Get it done so that it’s not weighing on you.

And if you really want to implement self-care, just choose one day. Like Friday afternoons during nap time, you get to binge-watch and eat ice cream.  😉  The rest of the days, you are working your butt off!!

Use nap time to:

• Meal prep dinner

• Clean the house

• Pick up toys and “reset” each room

• Plan your grocery list or shop online

• Manage the finances, balance the checkbook, and pay the bills

• Bake

• Fold clothes

• Clean the house

• Start a side gig

• Nap – but only if you really, really need to.  😉

Don’t waste nap time momma. You’ll feel so much more in control and better about yourself if you use it wisely.

4.  Ask for help!

Don’t try to do it all!!

It’s too hard.

Ask your husband for help when you need it. 

Ask your mom, mother-in-law, sister, and friends. Don’t be shy!

What are their strengths? What do they like to do? Ask them to do it! Then you can focus on other things.

My mom loves to cook and clean. So, she brought my entire family a meal every Monday for that first year. Yes, I could cook my own meal. But did she take a big burden off my shoulders? You bet she did!

I could use that time to clean up the house, fold some clothes, pay some bills, or play with the kids!

She also did my laundry weekly for me, and she went with me when I had to get groceries.

Have a friend who loves caring for babies? Ask her to take the baby one afternoon so that you can focus on the toddler!

Or ask a friend to take both tiny tots, so that you can deep clean your house.

Know your friend’s strengths and reach out to them. 

Just don’t forget to return the favor down the road. You don’t want to take advantage of them.  😉

5.  Hire help

If you can afford to, hire help! This could be a house cleaner, a cook, or someone to tend to the yard.

Or you can hire a nanny or babysitter so that you can get a few things done.

It’ll make your life so much easier.

Cleaning tips

I love to clean my entire house – and have it stay clean! All at once!

And that just doesn’t happen when you have little kids.

So, what did work?

⇢ Clean in tiny little increments. Choose your top three things to get done during the day, momma, and tackle them, five minutes here, ten minutes there.

You’ll never be able to just knock it out in one go, so work at it throughout the day, whenever your kids are occupied (or sleeping!).  And if you get those top three done, then work on something else.

⇢ Play in the room you have to work in. Need to go through the toddler’s clothing?  Bring baby and the toddler in there to play while you work.  😉

⇢ Do laundry every day. Just a load or two. 

⇢ Wash dishes after every meal. You’ll have more time to clean in little increments, after each meal, than you will in one big hour at the end of the day.

⇢ Create a morning routine. Wipe down the bathrooms, sweep, and vacuum. Even if the rest of the house is dirty, this will always make it feel clean to you.

Here’s a couple more posts to help you with cleaning:

How to Keep Your House Clean: The Ultimate Guide

11 Practical Spring and Fall Cleaning Tips for Your Home

Tips for cooking with kids

Gone are the serene evenings of slowly sipping a glass of wine while you cook, momma!  😆  Cooking with kids underfoot is challenging.

Here’s what worked for me:

⇢ Make a weekly meal plan. 

⇢ Take all meats out of the freezer to thaw in the fridge on the weekend.

⇢ Prep anything you can ahead of time.

⇢ Make extra and freeze the leftovers for quick, easy meals next time.

⇢ Utilize the crock pot and Instapot.

⇢ Put your kids in containment units. 

⇢ Put your toddler in a highchair with finger paints.

⇢ Create a mealtime-only basket of toys or activities for your toddler to do.

⇢ Let your toddler “cook” with cereal or ice cubes. 

⇢ Save the big meals for the weekends when your husband is home to help.

That’s how I got the cooking done. I also cooked with a child on my hips. Sometimes you just have to.  🤷🏻‍♀️

Tips for working with kids

Working with little kids is tough stuff, momma.  😅  I would seriously consider only starting a side gig or getting a job if you truly need to. Because it adds way more stress to your day.

And it can consume you, taking you away from your kids.

But, if you really, really want to work, or feel like you must, here’s how to get it done:

⇢ Get up early. Like, 4:00 or 5:00 in the morning early.  😆  The house is quiet and you can really focus on what you need to get done.

⇢ Stay up late. If getting up early isn’t an option, try staying up late to get some work done.

⇢ Use nap time. This is what I did because I was so sleep-deprived the way it was. There was no way I was getting up early or staying up late.

⇢ Ask hubby to take the kids. Ask for an evening every week, or for the weekend, so that you can work.

⇢ Write a to-do list. Or use a planner. The last thing you want to do is get up early or stay up late, and just scroll through Facebook. Stay on task!!

⇢ Break up your tasks into 30-minute increments. You never know when the kids will wake up, and when they do, it will annoy the heck out of you if you are deep in thought and working hard on something! 

So, break up those big tasks into 30-minute increments that you can easily walk away from if you are interrupted. Save the big stuff for when hubby can help.

Use the 5-block planning system. I haven’t posted about this yet, but create a morning block before the kids get up, then your regular morning block, an afternoon block, an evening block, and a nighttime block. 

The morning block is for your morning routine or for working. 

The regular morning block is your morning routine with your kids.

The afternoon block is your afternoon with the kids or work. 

The evening block is your evening routine with your kids, and the nighttime block is after they’ve gone to sleep. You either work or spend that time with the love of your life.  😉

⇢ Have a very real, clear focus. The last thing you want to do is just “wing it” if you are starting a blog or a side gig! Your time is precious, momma. You don’t want to waste countless hours “trying” to make it work. 

You want a real plan, that will really get you there so that when you sit down at your desk, you know exactly what to focus on.

⇢ Stay consistent. This too is a schedule, and like all schedules, it’ll only work if you stay consistent.

The key is to do a little bit every day, no matter how small the task. Treat it just like cleaning; pick your top three things to do that day, and tackle them, in small little increments, throughout the day.

How to handle two separate needs at once

All the best-laid plans can go to waste, momma when you have two babies crying at the same time.

What do you do?!?

I remember when the twins were both sick for the first time. They were both crying, wanting me to hold them. Of course, I can’t hold more than one baby at a time.

I didn’t know who to pick!

I panicked. My hormones were crazy, I was incredibly sleep-deprived, and I felt entirely incapable.

I simply filmed them crying for a minute, at a standstill. And sent it to my mom. I wanted to cry.

I don’t remember what I did after that, but I do know that she came over when she got off of work.  😂🤣

So, what do you do?

1.  Remember your toddler is a baby, too

First things first, let’s remember that even a toddler is really just a second baby. And although you want to support independence, you can’t freak out if he acts like a baby from time to time.

The little guy will cry, feel insecure, and need your help. With a lot of things. 

Remembering that he, too, is a baby will help you to have more patience with him when your patience is wearing thin.

It’ll also help you to take his needs seriously, no matter how trivial they seem to you at the moment.

2.  Anticipate needs, and plan ahead

Always make sure that you take care of your toddler’s needs first, before taking care of your baby’s. I know that seems backward but hear me out.

If you know you are going to be breastfeeding for the next 30 minutes, feed and change your toddler first.

Any time that you are going to have your hands full with the baby for a bit, take care of your toddler’s needs first, so that you can then focus on the baby.

Also, keep in mind your daily schedule, your toddler’s circadian rhythm, and biological clock. Knowing when he is going to get hungry, tired, or have to go potty and preparing for it beforehand can go a long way.

Toddlers can get very crabby (and naughty!) if they are hungry or tired. Always take care of that first.

Make a plan for when you are out and about as well.

3.  Tend to the most pressing need first

So, what if you’ve done everything you could to anticipate the need, but now they both still need you at exactly the same time?

Then take care of the most pressing need first.

This will be things like owies, needing to go potty, and such. 

If the baby just had a blowout, but your toddler just skinned his knee, bandage the toddler up first, and then clean up the baby.

Sure, the baby will stew in it for a bit, but he’ll be fine.  He’s cleanable.  😉

If your toddler wants a movie right now, but the baby wants a bottle, it might be wise to put the movie on first, to keep your toddler occupied while you feed the baby.

Tend to the most pressing need first.

The other one can wait. Promise. 

4.  Remember, crying is okay

This was so, so hard for me. I am the kind of mom who likes to tend to my children the minute they need me. I don’t want them to have to wait.

Or worse, cry.

But they will cry, momma. Because you can’t meet both needs instantly.

So, remember that crying is okay. Your children don’t have words yet. They can’t chew you out or tell you what they need as a teenager can.  😆

So, when they are crying, and you can’t get there right away to console them, just picture them as a teenager. They’d be chewing you out and slamming the door!  😂🤣

They are okay when they are an angry teen. And they are okay now when they are a crying baby.  😘

Letting your baby or toddler cry while you tend to the most pressing need first also teaches life skills, momma. They have to learn how to wait, take turns, share, and have patience. But they also learn how to calm themselves down, which helps with sleep training.

5.  Use the right tools

There will be times when you just can’t manage. For instance, if you live in an apartment, and you need to park the car and go in, up to the 3rd floor.

You’ll have to get both kids and the groceries up, in one trip, because you can’t leave the kids in the car by themselves. And you can’t leave the kids in the apartment by themselves. 

But you can’t carry a toddler (who refuses to walk) and a baby, and the groceries.

So, use a double stroller.  😉

Things like containment units, strollers, car seats, baby monitors, etc. can all be used to lend a helping hand.

How to go out with 2 under 2

Next to surviving the day, this was my number one problem, having three kids all two and under! 

If you’ve ever been to Walmart in my town, I was the one pushing one cart, with one kid in the front, and a car seat in the basket, and pulling the other cart, with the car seat in front, and the groceries in the basket.  😂🤣

Thus, the reason so many people would stop me and say, “You sure do have your hands full!”  🙄

Going out is hard. 

Here’s how I did it:

1.  Prep the night before

Kinda goes without saying, right? I mean, that’s what everyone tells you. But prep both the diaper bag and an extra travel kit, to be left in the car.

2.  Create the travel kit

It’s always good to have extras in the car. Here’s what you should put in it:

• Snacks and water

• Sunscreen and bug spray

• Extra gloves and hats

• Baby wipes

• Boogie wipes

• Hand sanitizer wipes

• Toy/pacifier wipes

• Kleenexes

• Paper towels

• Car toys

• Extra diapers

• Extra formula

• Extra clothing

• Extra blanket

• Extra spit rag

You really could put so much more in there! But I’d start with that, and then leave it in the car at all times. It’s your emergency bag.

3.  Start prepping to leave HOURS before you actually do

I’d start from the time I wanted to arrive somewhere and work backward, subtracting from that time how long it would take me to accomplish everyday, mundane tasks. It looked something like this:

10:45 – appointment

10:15 – potty break/diaper change/feed the baby

10:00 – arrive at the clinic, unload the kids, and walk in (Yes, it took that long…)

9:30 – the car leaves the driveway and travels to the clinic

9:15 – load the kids up in the car

9:00 – get the kids ready to go

8:45 – potty break/last-minute diaper change

8:30 – haul everything out to the car

8:15 – pack last minute stuff in the diaper bag/purse

7:45 – feed the baby

7:15 – feed the toddler

6:30 – get the toddler up and let him snuggle/play

5:30 – feed the baby

5:00 – super fast shower and get myself ready

See how long it takes to get ready to go somewhere?!?  😂🤣 What once took an hour now takes a few hours!

It seems like a crazy system, but that is what worked for me.

4.  Have someone come with you, if possible

I had my mom come with every chance I got because it was just.a.lot.of.work. And having a set of extra hands was super helpful. 

Even better?

Get a babysitter and go alone, if at all possible.  😉

5.  Allow for travel stops

I live in a rural community, where it really does take a half hour to drive from my house to the clinic. I didn’t allow for it in the above example, but if you need to get somewhere on time, you need to allow time for pit stops. 

This will be for things like:

• Consoling a screaming child

• Giving an impromptu bottle

• Stopping to go potty

And whatever else the kids throw at you!  😆

6.  Reconsider your usual outings

It’s going to be hard, momma, to do the things you’ve always done. There are some places that just won’t work, with two kids under two.

Such as a swimming pool. It’s really hard to take two babies to a pool!

Even the local park can be a huge deal. Especially if you live in a city.

You might have to change where you go for a little bit. Storytime at the local library might be a better bet than an outing to the park.

ECFE, or Early Childhood Family Education classes, is always a safe bet too. Contact your local school and see if they have any upcoming sessions. This way, you can meet other moms in your area as well!

How to survive having 2 under 2

Alrighty then! We talked about nearly everything under the sun, except for the most important part… how to actually survive having two under two!  😂🤣

Momma, let me be the first to say that there is no easy way of doing this. It is going to be rough. And it is going to require a few changes in the way you do things (and think!).

But it’s okay. You’ll get through it. You’re a mom. 

Moms don’t fret or worry. They just do.

And someday very soon, you’ll be like me, on the other side, offering a hand to another mom just starting this journey.  😉

So, let’s dig in and survive this blissful chaos! 

1.  Create a stay-at-home mom schedule

I know we’ve talked about this repeatedly.  🙄 And I apologize. But I can’t tell you how important creating a stay-at-home mom schedule is!! It will literally make or break your day, momma.

2.  Let go of your expectations

I know that you have in your head a vision of how all of this is going to go.

Maybe you think you will have a perfectly clean house, a home-cooked meal on the table every night, and a happy, smiling (peaceful!) family around it.

You’ll have a perfectly manicured yard, you’ll volunteer at the soup kitchen, your kids will have tons of play dates, take piano, and you’ll start a garden. Or take up pottery.

Heck, since you’re home all day, you probably even have time to start a side gig!

😆

I don’t want to scare you, so I’m not going to tell you exactly what it will look like.  😉  But let me just say, it ain’t nothing like that!!  😂🤣

Now is the time to let that funky little vision go.

And everything else, as well.

Pay no attention to what other moms in your circle are doing. Other parents don’t have such young kids, all under two years old.  

Pay no attention to Pinterest or Facebook either, momma. In fact, get off of it.

Ignore your mom and your sister. Unless they have had two kids under two.

And don’t worry about meeting all of those developmental milestones that all parents are overwhelmed with.

Your baby will do fine, and meet every milestone, in due time. (Funny, I never worried about milestones. Maybe it’s because I’m a 6-time mom and knew that with each milestone came more challenges.  😆)

NOTHING is going to look or happen like you think it will.

So just let go of all expectations.

Then, there’s no room for worry or disappointment when you can’t meet them.

3.  Let go of mom guilt

You don’t have time for that crap, momma!!  😆

Don’t feel guilty if the house is a disaster, you haven’t showered, and you have no idea what you are going to feed the brood tonight.

Don’t feel guilty if your older kids show up at school in pants that are too short.

And don’t feel guilty if you lost your cool.  Again.  🙄  Just say your sorries, promise to do better, and Do.

And then move on.

Don’t try to do all of the things other moms do. Don’t feel guilty if you don’t volunteer right now, set up play dates, go to the gym, or hang out with your friends.

You really do have to let some things go, because you just don’t have time (or the mental capacity) to do it all. 

So, whatever you choose to let go of, LET IT GO. Including the guilt.

4.  Be open to doing things differently

Seriously.

Just because you always clean your house one way, doesn’t mean it’s going to work like that right now.

Just because you always had meat and potato meals for dinner doesn’t mean you can’t have pizza and chicken nuggets now. 

And just because you always nursed your children doesn’t mean you have to nurse them now.

Things will look a lot different this time around. And that’s okay. 

Let go of the old way of doing things, and of thinking about things, and try something different.

It may work, or it might not. And that’s okay. What matters is that you are willing to work through it all, embrace new ideas, and give things a try.

5.  Lean on your support group

Remember that support group I said you were supposed to build? It’s time to call in the troops’ momma!

Use them!

Have them help you, yes, but actually spend time with them as well.

This might be hard, I know. You don’t have time. And even calling on the phone to chat is hard.

Heck – sending out a text message is hard.  😂🤣

I loved Voxer at this stage. Because I could talk, which is faster than texting. But I wasn’t tied to a phone. Every mom knows that as soon as you pick up that phone, all h-e-double hockey sticks break loose!  🙄

Voxer was kind of like a text/phone call. It worked great!

Don’t forget to schedule play dates, too, with other moms if that is your thing. I personally hated them. They stressed me out.  😆  But to each their own!

7.  Make yourself a priority

No, seriously.

You cannot take care of anyone else if you don’t first take care of yourself, momma.

This means eating healthy, getting as much sleep as you possibly can, squeezing in some exercise every now and then, and dressing nice.

These are just basics that will make you feel better, as a stay-at-home mom.

If you can manage, you can also have a little “Me Time”, doing the things you love. Start that side gig, take that bath, or enroll in a pottery class. Whatever fills your cup, momma.

Because when it’s brimming over, that joy just falls onto your family. 

8.  Always, always ask for help!!

And accept it if offered to you! 

Yes, I know you have everything under control. I know you are a rock star.

But hey – wouldn’t it be nice if someone else put the kids to bed, and you took a nice, long hot bath?  😁  Maybe shave your legs and trimmed those toenails?

Accepting help can literally be the difference between living in survival mode and thriving, momma. We weren’t made to be independent creatures.

We were made to be interdependent, leaning on each other to get through. 

Yes, you may need help right now. But down the road, it’ll be your turn to give help.

It’s not taking advantage of someone else. It’s being a part of a community.

Of a family.

9. Schedule date nights

Don’t neglect your hubby!!

I know, I know. You are tired. But men can often get lost in the shuffle when raising so many small children. 

He wants to feel connected, to be a part of it all as well. And he wants to be connected to you. 

He wants to do more than just help out around the house and with the kids. He wants that old relationship back. 

And although it may feel like added stress right now, spending some child-free time with him will make you feel alive again. It’ll re-energize you and remind you that you are more than just momma.

Your husband used to be your entire world. A regular date night can bring that feeling back. It can connect you two, and keep your relationship healthy and strong.

10.  Embrace your new reality

Life is going to be different, to say the least! It’ll look nothing like you expected. It’ll be frantic, frustrating, and overwhelming.

You’ll find yourself at your wit’s ends more than once.

But you’ll love every minute of it if you allow yourself to.

Slow down and enjoy it. These are fun, carefree days. Full of memories and chaos.

And you’ll never get this moment back.

Live it. Embrace it. Love it.

Treasure it, momma, before you’re like me; wishing you could reach into your phone and kiss that little boy’s cheeks.  😢

At the end of the day…

At the end of the day, momma, your only goal is to keep those babies alive!  😂🤣

No, seriously.

Just keep them alive.  However, that looks like to you.

And keep yourself alive too, while you’re at it.  😉

Let go of all expectations, perfection, and guilt. 

Literally live in the moment, and just make it from one moment to the next.

You’ll be just fine.

Before you know it, you’ll come out on the other side and wonder how in the heck that happened so fast?!?  😂🤣

Again, I’m dead serious.

If I had to go back and do it all again, I would.  In a heartbeat.

But this time, I’d relax.

I’d let more stuff go.  I’d slow down.  I’d enjoy the moment.  And I’d cherish those babies. 

I’d have more patience and less selfishness.

And I’d look at my hubby as my saving grace, my teammate.  Not as an arch-enemy who only wants to make things harder for me.  😆

And above all else, I’d kiss, tickle, love, and hold those babies just a little bit longer.

Because now I desperately want to, and they’re ten and eight.  🥺

Have a tip for two under two that I didn’t cover here? Share it in the comments below!

More on multiples

What Having Twins Has Taught Me

Another Mom Judged Me

A Letter to Public Restroom Owners

Twice the Blessings

Double the Trouble