Actress Jessica Albabecame a mom for the first time three years ago when her daughter Honor was born. This past August, shehad number two, and the actress -- like many other moms -- agrees thatnumber two has been a whole different gamethan number one.
any mom of two can share. Hard as it is to be a mom of more than one child, the second baby is infinitely easier than number one in so many ways. There is less worry, less stress, and less of a learning curve the second time around.
During my pregnancy, I was less strict with myself. I stopped running in month 3 of my first pregnancy just to be safe, but I ran all the way through my second one. I ate brie made with pasteurized milk and veggie sushi. Nothing happened.
When he was born, I immediately was working again, nursing him and bouncing him as I went. With my first, I barely left the house the first four months. With my second, I was out within days.
There are many ways adding baby number two is exponentially more difficult, but this isnt one of them. I was happy to take hand-me-downs. I wasnt interested in the top of the line Bugaboo stroller, but in the best used double. I wanted used clothing and as much of it as I could find. It was a much happier place to be and full of much less guilt.
That said, there was some guilt, too. With my first I did innt massage classes and playgroups. We did baby enrichment programs and all kinds of music appreciation classes and other things no one ever does by the time baby number two rolls around.
Its a mixed bag, that second baby, but for all the joy of number one, I liked being an experienced mama 100 times more. It was just a more pleasant experience for everyone (including my poor husband).
Were you more relaxed with baby number 2?
About the authorSasha Brown-Worshamcant decide whether she is a mother, writer, or runner, but is usually all three at some point each day. She has written for dozens of print magazines, newss, and websites. She rarely ever writes on bathroom walls.
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Im about halfway through Pregnancy 2 and I can say Im definitely more relaxed. Im still pretty strict on the food front (but were kind of a mily of semi-health nuts anyway) but every little twinge and tweak doesnt freak me out, and if I forget to take my vitamins one day I dont worry about it. And I routinely pick up my 30 pound son. One of my friends - who only has one kid - suggested that maybe I shouldnt be doing that, and I laughed. My body is used to it. It has not caused any problems.
My second pregnancy was definitely a lot harder on me. I had true morning sickness for four months and a month of prodromal labor. After baby Im finding Im more relaxed, more forgiving and infinitely more patient both with my mily and with myself. I dont feel as guilty about certain things and Im happier all around. I love my kids with all my heart and Im so blessed!!
I get a bit more relaxed w/ each one and that guilt over playgroups and such goes away after number 3, lol. I am now pg w/ 4.
I heard a quote The first child gets the benefit of you undivided attention. The second get the benefit of a more relaxed mother.
I dont think the 2nd child is better. I think the title for the article could have been a little better chosen, but I agree with the sentiment. I was much more patient the 2nd time around and a much better mother for it. I still dont hover over her the way I do her brother. Hes 11 so were navigating the Tweens with him and I know we suck at it. When she gets there it will be old hat. Also? Im the oldest of two and I still resent that my brother could do whatever he wanted whenever he wanted when my parents rode my ass.
I am most definitely more laid-back now than I was at first. Having my second child and getting past the severe PPD I suffered from my first birth experience has made me a much better mother now than I was two years ago. Im hoping the third will be even better!
My mother commented on how much more relaxed and confident I am with my second than I was with my first. I really am much more relaxed, and I dont freak out as quickly as I did with my first.
My husbands grandther said With the first one you make all the mistakes and say Ill so better next time. Then with the sJessica Albaecond... you make the rest of the mistakes. lol
Cant wait to have baby 2!
Idk about this...while I only have my 1st...I sound and act like a 2nd time or even 3rd time mommy. Ive worked in day cares, preschools & innt rooms for years while i was in school. Ive seen just about everything as r as baby is concerened. Those babies before may not have been my own, but they certainly prepared me above & beyond for when I had my 1st. I already enjoy hand me down clothes, functional over pretty and if her binky lls on the floor...eh, 5 second rule, back in her mouth. All women wanted a baby, should be required to work a couple months in an innt classroom. lol.
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