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I'd keep preschool. My daughter loved going and it gave her some independent time from baby.

I'd also have the babysitter or a mothers helper come sometime just to let you get some stuff done or run out to the store or have some time with your older daughter. Even occasionally would prob be very helpful

@ksnow: YES. This is also the reason why I can't have cleaning people. I would feel like I need to be there because I don't trust people yet if they were there, I would feel the need to clean, too so I wouldn't' look lazy! Ha.

@ksnow: Do you feel comfortable with your babysitter taking LO places? I might keep the sitter one day per week and have them go somewhere like the park, story time or a children's museum. I would pack LO a lunch so they could be gone for a few hours. That way it's not awkward to all be in the house together, you get a break, and LO gets to have some fun with a familiar friend.

If I had the budget I would totally have a cleaning service! I think that is a HUGE help with a new baby.

I have a 3yo fellow 11/12 babe! and a 4.5 month old.

I would keep 3yo in preschool and hire a cleaning service! As for naps/etc. NB will def be flexible! Ds2 is so easy going and spent a lot of time being worn or in the carseat the first few months because we were always out and about!

@ksnow: I agree with keeping in school and instead of a sitter I would hire a cleaning service once a week to help keep things clean. Also, havign the sitter take LO out once a week might be nice, you could send them to indoor playground (or outside depending on weather), movies, museums so she gets some interactions and doesn't get stir crazy.

I had a 2 1/2 year old with a newborn and we kept her in daycare almost full time (I kept her home once day a week with us to play) it was necessary for her sanity!

I would keep everything the same. Normalcy is good and you should keep whatever help you have. I'm sure the sitter will be used for the new baby at some point too, so it would be good for her to get familiar with #2 and let you trade off hanging out with LO1 and LO2 and if there are things your older one wants to do that you can't manage yet, the babysitter could take over. Or if you need a Target break or a coffee run just to get some air, you have that.

I would NOT feel guilty or awkward about having paid help while I'm at home, regardless of whether I was working or sleeping or whatever. Napping with the baby is restoring your body after trauma and you need your rest so that you can recover and be strong for both of your babies.

I would flat out ask your sitter if she would be open to helping clean the house because you are looking into hiring a cleaning lady, but if she would be willing to do it, you'd be willing to pay her a little extra. That way the sitter isn't beholden to you for cleaning if she doesn't want to, but if she does, all the better.

If the sitter doesn't want to clean, I would have the cleaning service come twice a month and just hole up in your room and ask them to knock lightly when its time to clean your room and then just move to another room. You don't have to see them, they don't have to see you, and I guarantee they will be quick and discrete since they know you have a newborn. I might hire that cleaning crew before our baby is born and have them do a DEEP clean of the house and that way its a matter of upkeeping that clean once the baby is home.