After having had your first baby, what is there to prepare for when you have the next one? You already have the crib/bassinet, diaper changing table, swing and all the other baby toys. Here are a few things you’ll want to prepare for the next time:
- Meals – Stock up on some freezer meals ahead of time. Even cooking ground beef ahead of time and freezing it would save some extra time. You can just throw the meat and some veggies into a crockpot in the morning. When my kids got a little older and knew how to make simple things like sandwiches, eggs or something easy to put in the oven, they would help out by making some of the meals.
- Groceries – Buy two month’s worth of non-perishable groceries so when you or your husband has to do a grocery run, you won’t have to worry about laundry detergent, soap, napkins, and toilet paper.
- Haircut – If you normally get your haircut, have it done close to your due date so you know the next time you’ll have to go will be a couple months after the baby is born.
- Chores – Once the baby arrives, household chores are usually the tasks that fall behind. Laundry is the biggest chore you can’t get behind on. In preparation, we trained the children to start a load of laundry after they wake up in the morning and again during the middle of the day. They folded the laundry the best they could and put them away in their respective places.
- Date Night with Your Husband – You can never have enough alone time with your husband. Most likely, you haven’t had a night out since your first child was born.
These tips have helped me to not get overwhelmed once the baby comes.
What are your experiences? What other advice can you offer?
photo credit: acopperpenny
