Now that I have two toddlers running around, I often get asked what did I do to prepare our toddler for the arrival of his sibling. It was also something that I wondered with back then. I wanted to make sure to have everything sorted out. Either you’re welcoming your first kid, or another sibling … the preparation is just about the same. Of course with the exemption of having a heart to heart talk with the other child in case this isn’t your first one.
So, without further ado … if you are going to have a baby CONGRATULATIONS! You will be filled with a whole range of emotions from joy to worry, from nervousness to excitement. You don’t know what to expect, but one thing you do know for sure is that your life is about to change. Although no one can prepare you for when the baby comes, you can make a lot of preparations that will definitely help you once your new arrival bursts onto the scene. To help you get there, here are a few tips and ideas to help you prepare.
Declutter
Decluttering is an essential step in the preparation process. When you start decluttering, you will be amazed at the junk that you have accumulated, especially if you have lived there for a long time. You need to make space for your new arrival, and that means getting ruthless on all the junk. So go through drawers, cupboards, wardrobes, ottomans, get rid of old furniture too. Everything that has seen better days that no longer has any value in your life needs to go. You will soon realize that babies need a lot of things, and to accommodate, a lot of your things need to go. Besides, if you are feeling a little apprehensive about the baby, then decluttering actually has a hugely beneficial effect on your mental health as well. It can make you calmer, reduce stress, and help you move forward.
Stocking Up
Hopefully, you now have a lot of space, thanks to your decluttering efforts. So you can begin stocking up with all the things you are going to need. First, you are going to need a lot of one-purchase items such as a Pram. You will also need a lot of ongoing items like nappies and baby wipes. Remember all the baby clothes too. There is an awful lot to remember. The best thing to do is to create a checklist of items that you need to buy and start ticking off the one-time items and piling up the ongoing ones.
Be Good to Yourself
It is great preparation to start taking care of your mental and physical health during pregnancy. If you haven’t been prone to this prior to pregnancy, then now it is time to begin. Start every day with positive affirmations like you will be a great mother, you look beautiful, etc. Starting the day in this way will set you up. Pregnancy causes the body to change a lot, and this can have a hugely negative effect on your mental health if you are not prepared. You need to ensure that you start eating a healthy diet and remain as active as you can, as doing this will promote positive wellbeing. The more active you are, the stronger you will feel, the more energy you will have, and the happier you will be too.
Remember, if you have other kids to make sure you have an open conversation about it. Even more if they are younger as they require a reminder to actually understand and remember that they are about to welcome a new sibling. It will be challenging but rewarding. Welcoming a baby is a joyous moment but can also take a toll on your mental wellness so make sure to open up to family if you are feeling low, be as honest as you can be with your partner. If you feel any pain seek medical help too, such as a pregnancy chiropractor for back pain.
So that’s pretty much it! Don’t stress yourself out and be happy.
What do you think?