Welcoming your second child into the world will be rather different from your first experience. You’ll not only have less time to buy their essential items, as you’ll be tending to your first-born’s every need, but you also might have less space and more expenses this time around.
Rather than feeling overwhelmed during pregnancy and following the arrival of your new son or daughter, read these four ways to prepare for your second child.
- Do Something Fun with Your First-Born
It is common for children to feel pushed out when their new brother or sister enters the world. Doing something fun together can prevent jealousy and remind your first-born how loved they are.
For example, you could:
- Take them to a zoo
- Visit an aquarium
- Go to a waterpark
- Enjoy a day at a theme park
It will allow you to enjoy some quality time together before their brother or sister’s arrival. You also should involve them in the planning process and buy them a gift to make them feel special once you bring your baby home.
- Make Changes to Your Home
As you know, a baby will take up a great deal of your living space. In addition to creating a nursery, you also won’t move around much due to the stroller, Moses basket, walker, and a seemingly endless variety of toys.
Rather than struggling for space, you might need to make small and major changes to your home before your little one arrives. For example, you might need to:
- Transform a spare bedroom into a nursery
- Invest in toy storage solutions
- Declutter your belongings
If, however, you have limited living space and no more room for storage solutions, it might be wise to move to a bigger property. If you can’t bear the thought of raising two children in a small home, turn to Kenya Property Centre to find the perfect property for your growing family.
- Review Your First-Born’s Old Items
Many parents often choose to put their children’s old clothing, toys, and other essential items into storage. If you have many of their items filling up your attic or basement, it might be time to pull them out to see if they would be suitable for your second baby. For example, their old clothing might need a good wash and a spot of stain remover.
If, however, you’re considering reusing an old car seat, you must check its expiration date. Car seat regulations and safety standards change regularly, which is why car seats often expire within six years. For this reason, you must check the label to ensure your newborn will be safe when traveling in your car.
- Upgrade Your Car
Speaking of vehicles, you might need to upgrade your car to ensure it offers enough space for two children. Depending on your first-born’s age, you might need to use two car seats, and you’ll require plenty of trunk space for a stroller, toys, changing bag, and more. So, if you want to enjoy many family road trips and ensure the whole clan feels comfortable during a journey, you might need to invest in a family car.