What to Do During Winter Months with 2 Kids!

Just like anything else there will be days when you are bored of the same routine and there will be days that you are so busy you won't believe how quickly the day has passed you by.

One thing would be to join a mom's group. That gives to access to playdates, help with babysitting, visitors to your home to break up the monotony (not sure sure I spelled that correctly). Maybe you could run errands together. I found it hard to run the quick errands, ones in which it took longer to get the kids ready and load them in and out of the car than to accomplish just the actual erreand. A friend and I used to carpool for errands. We would get our kids together in one of our cars. We would decide where we needed to go (post office, bank, dry cleaners, quick stop to the grocery store). Each of us would watch all the other kids while the other ran in to compelte the errand. In one hour we could complete so much.

Look for gear that will help you. If not a stroller how about the baby carriers you wear or a sit and stand stoller?

Plan your excursions a day ahead. Set a schedule. I use dto plan a detailed schedule (still do sometimes) that said what time to wake up, when to serve b'fast, when to dress the kids, etc. It really helped me stay on track. Pack the diaper bag and other necessities the night before.

Check around now for places that offer infant/toddler activities. Where I live free/low cost outtings in the winter include library programs, mom's groups, storytime at Pottery Barn Kids, indoor playground at the mall.

Buy a book that has a calendar of ideas for young kids. I used to have one made by Baby Eiinstein that had 365 activities. Even if I didn't follow the day's activity to the letter, I used it for inspiration.

Best wishes to you!

Totally do-able. :)

I have 3 kids now aged 5 1/2, almost 4 and almost 2. When my second was born, the first was 20 months... then #3 came around when the others were 3 1/2 and almost 2. I live in MN and the second and third were born in Nov. and Dec., so I did winter with them as newborns... here is my advice.

When you first come home with new baby, you will be busy and it will be hard to get out of the house. Don't beat yourself up about it! The first few weeks, don't freak out if your toddler watches more TV than you or he are used too! :) Get yourself settled in with having two before you expect to get out of the house much.

Once you have been home a few weeks, start trying to get out a bit. Plan for this by making trips out when you have help. Go to the library and get new videos or books for you and your toddler. Try to do this alone, it will help you maintain sanity to have 45 or an hour by yourself once and a while. Then you have some new things for yourself and 2 year old to read during snowy/cold days.

Don't be afraid to go to the local mall with the two of them. Go when they first open, let your older child run wild a bit, stores are never busy that time of day (except for x-mas). Get yourself a tea or coffee and just walk around. Christmas can be a fun time to window shop, the decorations will be going up (soon!) and kids get a kick out of the magic of the christmas stuff.

I bought a Sit-N-Stand stroller from another Mamasource mom. I posted a question about them, and someone answered with one for sale for $50. It was the best $50 I ever spent. I could click baby in the carseat on the front, my 2 year old could sit on the back seat, and my 3 year old could also stand if he needed to. I used it daily to get in and out of school (my oldest was in preschool at that time), the library, the YMCA, etc. Make a post, see if anyone has one in your area for sale! I was so excited and surprised to have someone offer one. I still use it all the time!

We did a lot of playdough in the winter, also baked cookies, read books. I did try to get out for walks as much as I could. It's a chore to get everyone bundled, but totally worth it to get fresh air. Your 2 year old will love just a walk around the block in the snow. I used a sling for my infant, put them in a fleece snowsuit, warm hat, and sling them under your jacket and they'll stay toasty. Pull your toddler in a sled, or let them walk...

You'll be fine. In a way, this is a good time of year to have a newborn. You still have a good month after baby comes before the weather gets terrible, by then you'll be figuring out how to do it with 2, and then it's the holidays which means extra time off for your husband, family around, and new stuff for the toddler to entertain him.

SHOP ONLINE this holiday season. Don't try to go out and x-mas shop. Amazon.com literally has every thing you will need. I learned that when #3 came in Nov.... I thought I'd be able to still shop for Christmas, but ended up ordering it all online. Worked great.

Good luck and congratulations!
J.

I second getting a sling!!! Take your kids outside, put the baby into the sling or a stroller. Let your son play at the playground or just go for a walk. Go to the mall and get your son ice cream. I do not think you HAVE to have a double stroller unless you plan on using it daily. I've used mine less than 5x and my son is now 1 (but I'm not a SAHM so that may be different for you!).

I'd see about getting a sitter (or friend/mom/family member) to come over and watch your baby or drop him/her off 1x a week (or even 1x a month) so you and you older child can go out and bond. Do the same thing with your older child and have some bonding time (or napping time) with your baby!

There is no reason to stop grocery shopping to get out. Make it a game for your 2 year old. Give him a shopping list and have him help you fufill your needs. The newborn should be fine during the store, just make sure he/she is well fed or that you have a bottle on hand if need be.

Other than that, try going to the mall, I know one close by has a playland where you can have your little one run around while you sit and watch with your newborn. You could also do this at McDonalds or any other type of playland in your area. (I know here we have a store that is full of bounce houses)

Also for indoor activities...get some crafts. Scissors, glitter glue, paints..etc.

It will be an adjustment going out with 2 but its definitely possible. I know I was fearful of it at first, but after i found out I could do it I was out and about all the time with the two of them. (My husband on the other hand never attempted it and even still doesn't do it on his own that often and they are 5 and 3 now) I think moms just have the ability to multitask.

i took my two at barnes and noble, movies (since age 3) etc. i used to not let them watch tv for most part of the year when we could go out and about, and once winter would roll around i'd have movie afternoons, lots of indoor play, bundle them up and take them to play in the snow, make a snowman. i know, like you i am dreading the winter because we do not like staying indoors.
but playdates, reading to them, storytelling etc always help the time go by

I didn't read any of your responses, so sorry if I'm repeating...

I am not in your situation, I only have one, but 2 things came to mind that might help a little with getting out.

First, you can still go anywhere that has shopping carts, without the need for a double stroller. Place baby in the cart in her carrier, and toddler in front of the cart, or let him walk, if he's able to stay by you. So you can still get out of the house with both if you want to, at places like Target, Walmart, grocery stores, etc. (although I think your idea to go with your son for alone time is a good one.)

Secondly, you could get a sling or some kind of baby carrier, and wear your baby, and either use a single stroller for your son, or use a store cart. Or let him walk for that matter. You'll still have your hands free. And you could use the carrier for lots of other activities where you need your hands to tend to your toddler. Parks, yes, even in winter, just bundle up! The mall, library for story time, etc.

Oh, and in the winter time, I'd find an indoor play area, like the dastardly McDonalds, where you could sit with your baby, while son is playing and always within your sight. We go to the indoor play area a good bit in the winter. Kids just love to be around other kids.

I have a 2.5 year old and a 9 month old. My 9 month old was born at the beginning of Dec. Here is what we did last winter: lots of playgroup playdates (check out meet-up.com), lots of classes --free story time at the library, story time at Border's books, Whole foods does classes.

Get yourself a good baby carrier --craigslist. and Don't worry about a stroller for the time being. Depending on baby's size, you may be able to baby carry for a full year, at which time, your older one won't be interested in a stroller anyway.

Also, get your 2 year old lots of coloring books and things to do while you feed the baby. During the constant nursing at the beginning, we read and colored lots!

Everything Jess S. said. I especially encourage you to take it easy on yourself at first. And get a sling. I don't know what I would have done without mine. I remember walking through icy parking lots with one in the sling, a 2yo and a 4yo holding my hands, and my 7yo pushing the stroller and holding the diaper bag. If I can do it, so can you! I spent a lot of time at the YMCA swimming pool, but I also didn't beat myself up if it was an especially cold week and we didn't get out at all.

love MEETUP.COM we have playgroups almost every day , baby carrier is a must and check out Double combi stroller on Craigslist(they r great if you r on the smaller side) Story time, we also have some preschools around that offer FREE story time/craft/playtime twice a week (of course they do it to get more people in their preschool, but we just go for the free part:)) my boys love it . Also does your town have a community center??? (ours offers FREE open gym time once a day for a hour/5 days a week) I will have 5 1/2, 3 1/2 and a newborn in 4 weeks and also homeschool :)