https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 04 Aug 2026 13:47:13 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/effects-of-baby-2-on-parents#post-1696636 Thu, 12 Jun 2014 19:20:44 +0000 rattles 1696636@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not sure I consider short term happiness very important. Like most, I'd guess, I make decisions about family size with the big picture and long term in mind. I know very few people who think the first two years are the easiest or the most fun! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/effects-of-baby-2-on-parents#post-1696352 Thu, 12 Jun 2014 18:08:12 +0000 googly-eyes 1696352@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. High Heels: @Running Elley: yeah I keep reminding dh he's going to have to take on more the next time. I worried so much about his sleep the first time because he was only just getting out of probation at work and its just dangerous for him to not sleep before work. But we've both gotten much better about less sleep and he will be able to take more pat leave next time. I'm also making an effort not to "rescue" him with dd, who has a huge mommy preference right now especially after being out of town with me alone for awhile. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/effects-of-baby-2-on-parents#post-1696319 Thu, 12 Jun 2014 17:56:46 +0000 lawbee11 1696319@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I found this very interesting! Thanks for posting it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/effects-of-baby-2-on-parents#post-1696318 Thu, 12 Jun 2014 17:56:19 +0000 MrsH 1696318@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Interesting. Thanks for sharing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/effects-of-baby-2-on-parents#post-1696268 Thu, 12 Jun 2014 17:39:11 +0000 Running Elley 1696268@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. High Heels: I completely agree with everything you wrote lol.</p> <p>I feel like we've had a more even distribution of "kid duties" since #2 came along. My husband really stepped up and is especially helpful with my toddler. I EBF so the baby is pretty dependent on me. My second is also a pretty easy baby so our experience is definitely colored by that as well. </p> <p>Both of us are happier since #2 was born (Even though, obviously, we were also extremely happy to have just LO #1!). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/effects-of-baby-2-on-parents#post-1696261 Thu, 12 Jun 2014 17:35:37 +0000 Adira 1696261@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is kind of scary since I'm pregnant with #2!! Hoping I have an experience like @Mrs. High Heels!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/effects-of-baby-2-on-parents#post-1696241 Thu, 12 Jun 2014 17:21:30 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 1696241@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@googly-eyes: I think the author failed to consider some other factors too. Like how hands on the father is, or how easy/difficult the 2nd child is. For us, having two kids meant dividing and conquering a lot, which meant DH took on A LOT all on his own, which meant less resentment from me.</p> <p>Since I was nursing, the majority of my time was spent with DS while DH handled our toddler... and in many ways handling a baby was easier than dealing with an opinionated, strong-willed toddler. My 2nd was a really easy baby though! </p> <p>I just felt like everything was more equal right from the start the 2nd time around since we were both seasoned parents and knew what to do, so that's why I say I disagree with the article (at least based on our personal experience). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/effects-of-baby-2-on-parents#post-1696224 Thu, 12 Jun 2014 17:14:53 +0000 googly-eyes 1696224@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. High Heels: @HLK208: Glad to hear that! </p> <p>@Mrs tartan: Just curious, what # child are you on? I think I get what you're saying and you have a point.. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/effects-of-baby-2-on-parents#post-1696214 Thu, 12 Jun 2014 17:10:29 +0000 Mrs. Yoyo 1696214@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>FWIW I think life will be much improved once one of two things happens: I start working again or DS2 gets to one nap! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/effects-of-baby-2-on-parents#post-1696210 Thu, 12 Jun 2014 17:08:59 +0000 HLK208 1696210@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hmm...I think RIGHT after I had my second, this might have been true for us but I was the only one not sleeping. By the time she was 8-10 weeks we were both equally happy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/effects-of-baby-2-on-parents#post-1696207 Thu, 12 Jun 2014 17:04:54 +0000 Mrs. Yoyo 1696207@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yupppppp. DH is already badgering me about more and I just want to curse at him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/effects-of-baby-2-on-parents#post-1696183 Thu, 12 Jun 2014 16:45:18 +0000 Mrs tartan 1696183@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm sure this is probably all true, but I'm sure if they did a study without children that the relationship satisfaction would also take a dip before rising again.<br /> It doesn't frighten me (being pregnant) at all, I'm well aware that we will be exhausted and not each others priority for a lt least a couple of years, I'm fine with that, eventually we will find ourselves again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/effects-of-baby-2-on-parents#post-1696173 Thu, 12 Jun 2014 16:37:31 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 1696173@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This hasn't been the case for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/effects-of-baby-2-on-parents#post-1696107 Thu, 12 Jun 2014 15:58:36 +0000 googly-eyes 1696107@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just glanced at it (will go back and read!) but I had heard this when I was considering one &amp; done. </p> <p>Looks like baby #1 is harder on mom than dad too. But like anything else there are people that become more happy and people that become less happy. Nothing to do but make your best guess and go with that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/effects-of-baby-2-on-parents#post-1696095 Thu, 12 Jun 2014 15:54:41 +0000 autumnlove 1696095@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Eh, I don't agree but I am having more issues with losing weight after round two. :P </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/effects-of-baby-2-on-parents#post-1696089 Thu, 12 Jun 2014 15:51:09 +0000 Freckles 1696089@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p><a href="http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/baby-no-2-is-harder-on-mom-than-dad/" rel="nofollow">http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/baby-no-2-is-harder-on-mom-than-dad/</a></p> <p>Thought this was a really interesting breakdown of how parents' happiness is affected after having baby #2! Too bad evidence shows women end up more dissatisfied than men after #2. :bummed: </p>