Attention, please.

I’m 7 months into this pregnancy, and I have to be honest – I haven’t, and really can’t, give it the same attention I gave the first. How can I? On top of all the other things that go on in daily life, I have a toddler at home. A toddler who is used to a lot of attention. A toddler who is not so interested in relinquishing that attention. A toddler who combs his hair with cous cous. A toddler who randomly calls, Mama! Mama! Mama! and when I turn around, stares at me blankly.

I think part of developing the love and attention for the second child is including the first in it. It’s a family affair. A while ago we introduced Koala to ‘beebees’ and got him his own replicas. Pointed to Mama’s belly and said there was a beebee inside. Wakes up, takes his beebee and feeds her mai (mayim).

A wise friend told me that what will shock me the most is that I will immediately find that I indeed have the room in my heart to love two children infinitely. It’s not a matter of making room in a limited space; it’s not about loving one more or less. Your capacity grows.

I’m guessing that isn’t true for attention. And so go the stereotypes for second children…


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2 responses to “Attention, please.”

  1. Kate Avatar

    I like to tell people that I grew my first baby on composed salads and protein shakes and I grew my second baby on ice cream and cranberry juice. They’re both fine now.

    The attention thing works itself out. Plus one day they’ll entertain each other and you will feel like you have outwitted the universe.

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