Thursday, August 7, 2008

Two=Harder Than One

I should have known this would be true. But oh wow. Is it true.

With one, I still had some downtime. With two, R and I always have one of our children. We trade off, we multitask, we run around, but anyway you slice it, we are constantly with one of them.

To say that I am going to be challenged in finding time to work is putting it mildly.

Right now, Alan sleeps a lot and nurses more. So, if I can find a way to work while I nurse, then I am fine. So today, R and I are going to devise some kind of nursing method using the sling. Right now, as I type this, I am sitting on my exercise ball to work my abs while nursing/blogging/writing. I am going to have to learn to really multitask.

Sometimes this makes me want to laugh, but mostly it makes me want to cry. Once R goes back to work, I have not the foggiest clue how I will manage. He has basically taken Sam off my hands all week, but with both of them, it seems insurmountable.

Two very exciting projects have also come up in the past week and I need to figure out how to work my career into the balance as well.

Anyone have any advice on this? I am kind of terrified right now.

6 comments:

Kristen said...

as a seasoned mom of two, my best advice: let your friends help you. that being said, you know my number. just like anything else, you will develop coping mechanisms and before you know it, it will be the "new normal".

Brigid said...

Been there! Done that! The best that I can tell you is that it does get easier, but it will get a little harder first. The first few months are tough - mostly because you a tired, the baby needs a lot and your toddler is full of energy. Look for new ways to do the same old things, and new times to squeak in the things that used to have thier own times. And like the last poster said - LET YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY HELP. I had a hard time asking for help - thinking I could do it all on my own/was supposed to. I guarantee there are people who would love to entertain Sam for a few hours or bring you dinner. Let them...

Unknown said...

With three of my own, I know how you feel. BOY, do I know how you feel. My inbox is filled with unanswered emails, and I'm having to work around school being out, play dates, errands, you name it. (the guilt is on level "high")

When Bridget was little and nursing, I became very adept at working (even typing) with one hand. But I think you already mentioned a nice solution - the sling. Without the sling, I would have gone CRAZY.

I also agree with the other two commenters - don't be afraid to ask for help!!! Also, don't be afraid to scale back on your work for awhile.

Kristi said...

You've received some great advice here. As hard as it is to do, send out the SOS to preserve your sanity. You need help right now, and there's no shame in asking for it.

This post made me peer into my future a bit, and I am scared!

g and c boyarko family said...

Let me know if you are interested in talking to my brother...he is a stay-at-home dad with two who are 20 months apart and who manages to squeak work in too. I'll send you his email if you would like.

M said...

Hi there -- I'm a friend of "enna" and an occasional peruser of your blog. I have only one child so far, so I've got nothing to offer you except this -- having a five-day-old is awful any way you slice it. But remember how much easier it got with Kiddo #1... eventually? Surely that will happen again... right?...

Looking forward (with some trepidation) to reading more about your adjustment. We are thinking about going for #2 ourselves and are terrified of just what you describe.

(And also: I LOVE the way you describe how birth changed you. That's how I felt too: the ultimate rite of passage. Hey, if you could do that, you can parent two, right? Go, mama!)