Being Pregnant with a Toddler can be Rough
Being pregnant can be emotionally and physically draining. Add into the mix a toddler, and you may wonder how you can possibly manage to give both your child and your unborn child the attention they deserve. Toddlers are full of energy and curiosity. They have many selfish demands for your time and don’t understand if you can’t give them what they want from you. They can be loud and difficult to handle. Dealing with a toddler while pregnant takes patience, understanding, and a lot of extra support from your partner. The following are five tips on how to survive pregnancy with a toddler in tow.
1) Stay Healthy
It may sound like a simple thing, but staying healthy by eating a proper diet, getting enough sleep and mild exercise can be demanding when you are juggling your body’s needs with those of a toddler. Getting dinner on the table without being pregnant can be a challenge, let alone if you are feeling poor, or have no energy due to pregnancy. Enlist the help of friends if you need to; ask them to make meals in advance so you only need to heat and eat.
2) Playdates
Playdates can be your lifeline to sanity while pregnant with a young child at home. If you’re especially friendly with your playgroup, then you may be able to owe them return playdates after the baby is born. That way you can enjoy a day to yourself and catch up on your rest.
3) Enlist Family Support
Talk to your husband and clearly communicate what kind of support you need. If helping more with dinner, or taking the toddler out on Saturday mornings would be helpful, let him know. Also talk to any nearby family; they might enjoy taking Junior off your hands for a few hours or while you got to appointments.
4) Enjoy Your Time
Your toddler may be too young to understand what is going on with Mommy, therefore, be sure to spend quality time with them. Quality is more important than quality. Find activities that you can enjoy together, such as reading time at the library. Keeping the toddler entertained will take the pressure off of you but still allow you to enjoy your time with them.