Making the Most of Two under Two: Guest Post from So Easy Being Green

Big Sister Sophia

Although having 2 children under the age of 2 is major work {and I sometimes want to pull my hair out}, it truly is a joy! We found out we were having another baby the month before my oldest daughter turned 1! It was planned, but came a couple months earlier than planned. I was so nervous and scared about of the idea of having 2 babies so close in age and so young at the same time, but I was excited too!

I’m an only child so I was {and still am} intrigued at the sibling relationship. When we found out we were having another girl, I was elated for my oldest daughter, Sophia! I was giving her a gift that I never had – a sister! Someone that she could always count on to be there, someone she could share clothes and secrets with, someone that she could roll her eyes with when Mom was getting on her nerves.

Little Sister Moreaya

But before all that can happen, we must survive the first couple of years! In the last 4 months, I’ve learned a lot about both of my girls, my husband, and mostly about myself. And although Tiffany doesn’t quite have 2 under 2… 2 under 3 is just as much work! So, here are my five tips to making 2 under 2 a fun and exciting journey!

1. HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR! You have to laugh at everything. Laugh at the fact that your house is a wreck because, well, you have a Toddler destroying it and an Infant demanding all of your attention to keep you from cleaning it. Laugh at the fact that every time you go into a restaurant to have a meal with your husband and rowdy ladies, there will be at least 1 man, woman, couple roll their eyes because they just know your children are going to interrupt their quiet dinner {and they usually do}! Laugh at the fact that one day you’ll wish both of your girls would crawl up on your lap at the same time and wants lots of Mommy Hugs and Kisses. Just laugh – and teach your children to laugh too!
2. Use cloth diapers. Ok, so this is obviously my personal choice – but had to share since I’m a green blogger and love all things fluffy. They’ll save you a ton of money on the first go around {older child} and then if you kept them in good shape – they’ll save you another $2,000 by re-using them on your younger child! Want more info on cloth diapers – I’d love to answer any questions you may have!
3. Have a regular babysitter. And a back-up babysitter. And maybe a back-up back-up! You’ll need it. It’s important for you to have some “me time” especially when you’ve got 3 babies {uh, hubby too!} depending on you 24/7! It’s also nice to have 1 kid go see Grandma for an afternoon so you can have that quality time with the other – instead of sharing between the 2 all of the time.
4. Praise the older sibling. I praise Sophia as much as I possibly can for everything she does. She is more likely to help me with Moreaya and around the house – cleaning up her toys, carrying items from one room to another. Although she doesn’t really remember the time that she had with me when it was just the two of us, I do. And I try to make each moment special with her.
5. Love, love, love your girls! By loving on them, kissing them, and doting about them – they’ll learn to do the same things to each other in return. I never thought I could love another person as much as I loved my oldest, Sophia. But I do. I love them both equally and can’t wait to see them grow up together and hopefully be the best of friends… at least most of the time!

Lindsey is a Stay at Home Mom to two beautiful little girls, Sophia who will soon be 2 and Moreaya who is 4 months! When she’s not chasing the rambunctious toddler around or “spoiling” her new beauty, she’s blogging at So Easy Being Green. Her blog is dedicated to sharing eco-friendly tips and products to help families, just like hers, realize that it really is… So Easy Being Green!