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We are about to add a third little one to our family. But a question I get asked often is “what tips do I have when it comes to transitioning from one to two kids?”
It was a little over two years ago now that our family made the transition to having two kids (two and under by the way.) And I will say right now that I don’t know everything and everything I did in our transition to two kids worked.
But a lot of what I did and what I am about to share made our home remain peaceful in the shift from one to two.
And I am planning to keep the same structure and implement these same tips as we are getting ready to transition from two to three kids (all three and under!)
So here we go!
1. Know your nonnegotiables.
What does your family actually need to survive in a day? Those will be your nonnegotiables.
This will look different from family to family of course. But things like preparing food, washing dishes, giving baths, and so on are some things that just have to be done every day and most likely by you as the mom.
Some other nonnegotiables of mine would be reading the Bible, stopping to play with my boys, having a moment to myself, getting dressed in the morning, and praying over my home.
2. Know what doesn’t need to be done in this season.
I love and thrive best in a clean home. But I know that my standard of a clean home may look a little different in this season of transition.
I can do a quick tidy in the evening, one load of laundry a day, and vacuum the floors a few days a week and call it good.
And what about making playdates and other commitments? They probably don’t need to be excessive in this season as you are figuring out the transition from one to two kids.
Doing the bare minimum is alright while you are in this season of transition. Don’t feel guilty. Your home and family should come first.
3. Carve out time for each kid.
After I had my second son I always tried to spend a few times a day uninterrupted with my oldest. He thrived on that even though he was still young.
I want to do the same thing this time around too.
It may look different, I know. There may be only a few minutes to read with on of my boys and then a few minutes later in the day to draw with the other. It will look a lot different balancing three. But as their mom I need that time with them as much as they need it with me.
4. Put down your phone and make the most of each moment.
When you are adding a new child to your family it is such a blessing but there can also be a lot of ups and downs.
It’s okay to sit in every moment and just be. Be happy. Be sad. Be overwhelmed. Be in prayer. Be with your husband. Be watching your oldest play. Be patient. Be present.
This is one of my main goals for this transition to three kids. I want to be present so I can be responsive to everyone’s needs but also know what my needs are at the same time.
5. Make sure mama is eating.
I’m sure you know how critical this is. But goodness, it is so easy to forget to eat some days.
So this time I am going to be adding collagen to half of my drinks throughout the day, eating all the protein, and definitely staying hydrated as best as I can.
Because a hungry mama is an irritated mama. And an irritated mama makes a home not so peaceful to be in.
6. Always make your home peaceful.
This can look like diffusing oils, playing soft worship music, or changing your lightbulbs to amber lights.
Always try to set a peaceful environment (preferably centered in the Holy Spirit.) That way you will remain peaceful in the ups and downs of this transition too.
7. Set responsibilities for your kids.
Allow your littles to have age appropriate responsibilities every day.
For us right now this looks like picking up toys, putting away their laundry, brushing their teeth, and helping with a chore.
It gives them a purpose in the household while also helping them feel needed during a transition like adding a new sibling to the family.
8. Lean on the Lord.
I can’t stress this last point enough. This season of transition from one to two is hard.
To be truthful going from one to two kids wiped me out in the beginning. But I am honestly so thankful for that experience because it brought me closer to the Lord and made me more of who He wants me to be.
I rely more on Him now than at the beginning of being a mother. And because of that it is so much easier to mother wisely and peacefully.
So lean on Him. He will get you through this transition.
Those are my tips to help you smoothly transition from one to two kids (or two to three!)
If you are a seasoned mama what would you add? What helped you in your transition the most?
