The Dogmother Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 I'm the same. I always offer to feed/change/take for a walk other friends or family members babies at gatherings. Same with toddlers too - if we have gone out for a meal, I'm the first to offer to cut up their food and assist with feeding them so Mum can enjoy a meal without it going cold, for a change. I remember how tough I found the early years and how much I appreciated when someone would do the above for me. And for me...well, I get to have a baby/small child to myself for a while but can hand them back at the end of the day and get a good nights sleep. The other thing I make a concerted effort to do when someone I know has just had a baby is to ask the Mum 'How she is doing/feeling?'. Everyone coos and fusses over your new baby but rarely asks that question. It took me back with my second child when a neighbour asked me the same thing. I was at the time feeling quite emotional, tired and a naff Mum but was bottling it up (as you do - to appear perfect and in control) and it gave the ideal outlet for me to express my feelings and to be told that what I was feeling was all perfectly normal. It was nice to know that someone seemed genuinely interested in how I was getting on aswell as my baby. I do exactly the same for identical reasons All my friends had children in their 20s, so I loved looking after them. I also helped a friend bring up her 3 boys in between travelling stints, so felt well prepared when I eventually had my own at 35, but nothing prepares you for the sheer weight of the exhaustion a newborn brings... and the need to be able to go to the loo on your own! Those three that I helped bring up are now big, grown men and one is engaged to be married.. I remember potty training that good looking hunk! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddie Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 There's never a right time or a wrong time... I was told I couldn't have any and 7 weeks later was preg!! theres a 3 yr gap between mine, and they're lovely, (well, not to me, but when they're out...) Kids just adapt, it's us grown ups who get all tangled up mentally over things!! Be well, and let yr body and heart decide, leave the head bit out of it!! (and enjoy the "practise!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard T Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 Best time? First thing in the morning. Then you've got time to tidy up, get down the shops and have dinner ready for when your OH gets home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krysia Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Probably too soon for me to comment as the youngest is 5wks today but we went for 2 yrs. (To the day, they even share a birthday!) We decided you still need to take a changing bag and nappies etc, if we got a taste of freedom (4-5 yr gap) we might not have any more! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbaraJ Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 very interesting comments i had to laugh at the unexpected pregnancies. it took 3 mths to fall for my first , a yr for the 2nd so when 2nd child was 10mths i started trying for my 3rd. Of course fell 1st month lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Best time? First thing in the morning. Then you've got time to tidy up, get down the shops and have dinner ready for when your OH gets home. You may joke about this but trust me, it happens! No3 born at 3.30am, home at 7am, couple of hours in bed, then up to cook tea for the family. OH wasn't at work though, he stayed in bed as he'd been up all night!!!!! Chauvanism is alive and kicking in the Owl family Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 you didn't have the energy to kick OH's bum then Snowy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Very true Snowy! YS was born at 3.30am. It was a lovely sunny October morning.....and I was pegging washing out by 9.30am. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonie Posted November 10, 2008 Author Share Posted November 10, 2008 crazy women!! I stayed in bed for 4 days after mine as i had a c-sect, apart from the pain, I loved just lying in bed looking at my gorgeous wee baba ... lovely bit of bonding! Have to say though if it was a normal delivery there is no way on this earth i would be doing anything other than lying in bed recovering for at least 2 days!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 After my youngest was born all the others were normal deliveries she was the only C-section, delivered Monday morning came home Wednesday lunch time and went up the ladder to re-hang the curtains that Mark pulled down opening them when I rang to say I was coming home Karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Best time to have a second child.....not yet! Well, not for me anyhow! Although...... I think a lot depends on the personalities of the children - they'll either hit it off or they won't - sometimes this has a greater impact than the age difference Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 The best time as far as I would be concerned would be when I could afford a full time Nanny and wet nurse! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
