You’re exhausted. You’re sleep-deprived. You’re covered in spit up and you haven’t showered in days. Managing 2 under 2 is not for the faint of heart. But it is doable.
With a little planning and a lot of patience, you can survive (and even thrive) in this season of life. Here are a few tips to help you handle two children under the age of two.
How to survive 2 under 2
1. Establish a routine and stick to it as much as possible.
With two kids, things are bound to be chaotic at times. But one thing that can help bring some peace and order to the madness is to establish routines and stick to them as much as possible.
Whether it’s a morning routine or a bedtime routine to help everyone wind down for the night, having some structure will make your life a whole lot easier.
I found this book by Suzi Giordano sooo helpful. Not only did it help me create a realistic routine but also got my little ones sleeping straight through the night from 3 months old.
2. Take advantage of naptime (it’s your chance to catch up on much-needed rest or take care of grown-up tasks).
Naptime is sacred when you have two young children. Use this time to catch up on some much-needed rest yourself or take care of any other pressing tasks that need your attention (like laundry or dishes). And if both kids are napping at the same time, consider yourself lucky!
Use that precious alone time to do something just for you, whether it’s reading a book, taking a hot shower, or just sitting in silence with a cup of coffee.
Trust me, you’ll need all the energy you can get so take advantage of those rare moments of peace while you can!
3. Get organized (it’ll help you feel like you have some semblance of control)
When you have two kids under the age of two, things can get pretty chaotic. One way to bring some order back into your life is to get organised.
Take a few minutes each day to plan out meals for the week, create a daily schedule for yourself and your family, or make a list of tasks that need to be done (and cross them off as you go!).
Having an organised system in place will help reduce stress and give you a sense of control over the situation.
And don’t forget to use technology to your advantage – there are tons of apps available that can help streamline tedious tasks like grocery shopping or meal planning so you can save time and energy in other areas.
4. Don’t be afraid to ask for help (your family and friends want to support you, so let them)
No matter how organized and prepared you are, there will be times when you feel overwhelmed by the task of caring for two young children.
When this happens, don’t be afraid to ask for help! Reach out to your family and friends – chances are they’ll be more than happy to lend a helping hand.
Whether it’s bringing over dinner or offering to watch the kids so you can take a break, having some extra support during this time will make all the difference in the world.
Parenting forums and Facebook groups are also great resources for 2 under 2 tips, especially when you need advice on something specific (or just want somebody else to commiserate with!). So never hesitate to reach out and ask for assistance when you need it – you don’t have to do this alone!
5. Take care of yourself
When trying to juggle two kids under two, it can be easy to forget about taking care of yourself. But self-care is essential for mums of young kids – not only will it help you feel refreshed and energized, but it will also give you the strength you need to manage your little ones. So take some time each day for yourself, even if it’s just 15 or 20 minutes – you deserve it!
6. Accept that things will be messy (and that’s okay).
One of the hardest things about having two young children is accepting that things will be messy. There will be spills, there will be tantrums, and there will be tears. It’s all part of the territory.
But it’s important to remember that this season of life is only temporary and that things will eventually get easier. So cut yourself some slack, give yourself a break, and know that it’s okay if things aren’t perfect all the time.
Two under Two. When does it get easier?
The short answer is: it takes time. Having two young children can be tough, but as you find your footing and get into a routine that works for your family, things will start to feel less overwhelming.
And once the kids are older and more independent e.g potty trained, life will definitely become easier (and cleaner!) But until then, just remember that this season of life won’t last forever.
Before you know it, your kids will be grown and you’ll be looking back on these days with fondness (and maybe a little bit of nostalgia).
So savour the good moments, laugh off the bad ones, and be sure to take some time for yourself every now and then!
