Comments on: How Much More Work Are Two Kids Compared To One?

By: Clever Dude

Clever Dude — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 20:04:08 +0000

@Katelyn, I didn’t write the article. It’s a guest post. Read the first paragraph please.

By: Katelyn L.

Katelyn L. — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 19:58:29 +0000

My only comment is this, why does Clever dude call it babysitting? Watching your own child is not “babysitting” it is being a parent. Sorry that just really bothers me.
Thanks,
Kate

By: Four Pillars

Four Pillars — Wed, 21 May 2008 00:24:58 +0000

Rose – yes, that’s exactly what my dream solution would be. By the way, my older son is doing just fine – it’s his Dad that’s losing his mind.

Congrats on all the kids – I’d like to hear more about that.

Mike

By: Rose

Rose — Tue, 20 May 2008 18:44:10 +0000

The best solution is to put the older kid in daycare?? Give me a break. Yeah, it is an adjustment to add an infant to the mix. How much of an adjustment is it to your first child? And you think putting the kid in daycare with strangers is the way to calm his fears and help him adjust so that YOU don’t have to have any extra stress?

We have nine, count ‘em nine, great kids. Six are still at home (the baby is 1). We have our days, but with such a large family, the big ones help out with the little ones, and we make it work.

By: Four Pillars

Four Pillars — Tue, 20 May 2008 11:13:30 +0000

Thanks Steve (Brip Blap) – you are correct that the stress levels are lower with the second kid. By this time with the first one we had already taken him to the emergency room twice for stupid things like..puking, farting etc.

Mike

By: Brip Blap

Brip Blap — Tue, 20 May 2008 01:21:35 +0000

Well, being in the same boat I have to agree. I think women handle the stressful moments of infanthood better than men, certainly. I know that I was petrified to be left alone with my son (our first child) in the beginning, since I didn’t have much experience with kids. I have found that with the birth of our second child (a daughter) two weeks ago that I’m far calmer about child care BUT there is no respite! There is no moment where one parent can hand their kid off to the other parent and go take a 30-minute shower (unless naptimes coincide). But yeah, staying home with my 2-year-old son for the past few weeks (I also took off time) has taught me just what being a “single parent” (almost) is like. There is nobody around to pick up the slack if my son needs something.

All that having been said, I think it’s easier this time. Every time my son farted I had a heart attack thinking something was wrong – my wife and I are far more relaxed this time around. That alone is worth something!

Great observation on 0-1 being toughest for the wife and 1-2 being toughest for the dad. My wife in particular loved that one!

By: Lynn

Lynn — Mon, 19 May 2008 23:28:09 +0000

I have 16 month old twin girls (they are my first, second and last children! LOL!) and I am so glad that I don’t know what it’s like to have just one child . Going from nothing to two has been quite a challenge because you can never really relax…I feel like I am cross eyed sometime because one is going one way and one is going the other. But it is now getting to be fun because they are interacting so much more. I am hoping soon they will be able to completely entertain each other so I can get a break!!!

By: Four Pillars

Four Pillars — Mon, 19 May 2008 20:23:30 +0000

Rob – that’s what we are hoping for! At the moment however they are too young to play together.

Mike

By: Rob Bennett

Rob Bennett — Mon, 19 May 2008 18:36:06 +0000

I find it easier with two than with one because the two have each other to play with.

Rob

By: Four Pillars

Four Pillars — Mon, 19 May 2008 15:12:00 +0000

CFO – my wife also found that she misses her son since she spends so much time with the new baby.

Tara – congrats on the 5 kids…and here I am complaining about having 2!!

Mike