I am not doing well with two kids.
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Anonymous
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When my kids were that age our schedule was
Wake up have breakfast Morning at park/mall play area/activity OR some sort of active thing at home like scavenger hunt/dancing/parading around with instruments. Anything to make them tired! Lunch Short amount of screen time Nap Late afternoon- go for walk/back to park/ go for a drive/play active game We spent as little time indoors as possible. This is a short time in your life. The little one will get better at playing/sharing. |
Anonymous
| We have 2 kids 2 years apart also and those were the hardest ages we’ve experienced. Our kids are now 6 and 4 and things are much better. Once the oldest was about 4.5-5 they actually started playing together and not just constantly fighting and things have just gotten easier from there. Also once the younger one was less of a baby (stopped napping, potty trained, could communicate well, etc) we could do so many more fun things as a family that we had felt too overwhelmed and stressed to do when they were younger. |
Anonymous
| For those of you who had this age spread and went on to have a third, how did that go? We are TTC and I think I'm insane some days. |
Anonymous
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First of all OP - this is a really short season of life. Once 1 yr old is 2 she will have more patience for things like books. Once 3 yr old is 4 he'll be able to do more independent play. It gets better, and soon.
But second - you need to set up a totally babyproof area so 1 yr old can explore while you play with 3 yr old. If you have to, get a "baby yard," but you could even just babyproof one of the kid's rooms like nothing else - no small objects, all outlets covered, reachable drawers locked, furniture anchored. That way you can put the baby on the floor right in front of you and she can play and explore and you can be right there but paying attention to 3 yr old. |
Anonymous
| Regarding something fun. Can you go for a walk and let the older one scoot or ride s balance bike while 1yo in stroller? |
Anonymous
Not that easy for those of us who live in the city. Not OP but it isn’t an easy task unless you’re within walking distance to a park and you load both kids and the scooter into the stroller. Our nearest park is closed for renovations so I have to drive my two kids to another park. |
Anonymous
Leave one with dad. Duh. |
Anonymous
Not OP but my baby would not stand for that. She wants to be with us and is walking. The kids are learning to play together (or at least coexist). It’s tough but keep doing what you’re doing and reframe it (as the wise poster said) as teaching them to play. |
Anonymous
? Dad is at work. OP covered that, dear. |
Anonymous
Yea we did a lot of activities - music together, swim lessons, Gymboree - it passed the time and someone else could referee 
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Anonymous
This is pre-covid but our Gymboree would have a one year old and three year old in the same class. Has it changed? Music Together used to have family groups on weekends. |
Anonymous
| Get them out of the house - neutral territory - playground, baby in stroller + 3 yr old on scooter and take a walk, go somewhere like nature center, etc. |
Anonymous
| Presumably the 1 yr old naps, no? Can't you give your undivided attention to your 3 yr old then - crafts, coloring, play? |
Anonymous
Not OP but my 3 yr old is in preschool and gets my undivided attention when he comes home and the little one naps. And then the little one wakes up. And then the fighting begins. |
Anonymous
The problem remains that the one year old wakes up. The problems we with two under 4 are having us when both are awake and have to be together! |