Things to do before baby two arrives – the toddler edition

July 9, 2014

Things To Do Before Baby Two – The Toddler Edition…

What are the best things to do before baby two arrives – when you already have a toddler?

baby on board pregnancy announcement

What To Do Before You Have A Baby…

Following my last pregnancy, I made a list of the ultimate things to do before the baby arrives and everything changes (original list here). Wine, sleep, socialising and appreciating your lovely untouched home featured heavily. First time pregnant mums, take note!

As we’re about three months off the arrival of baby two, I thought it might be a good time to revisit the list. But then I realised that as a mum, there’s not much hope for unlimited lie-ins or solo visits to art galleries and long afternoons in the pub, is there?

And this time round, the main changes aren’t going to be for me. Eliza has been the sole focus of our life for two and a half years, and is very excited about being a big sister, but it is a massive change for her.

So instead, I thought it wanted to make a list of the best things to do before baby two arrives, in the time we have left as a three (as well as spending as much time as possible together, just hanging out and doing the normal, everyday things). Here’s what sprung to mind:

Things to do before baby 2 - when you already have a toddler

The Best Things To Do Before Baby Two Arrives, With Your Toddler

  1. Spend all the time you can together! For us that involves lots of trips out and making proper headway into our things to do in London when you’re two list.
  2. Revisit some of your favourite haunts; Crystal Palace park and zoo, the Horniman Museum, and the Science Museum.
  3. Watch a children’s screening at the cinema together
  4. Or see something at the theatre while there’s no screaming baby!
  5. Make sure their room  is lovely, so they will have their own haven to play in and escape to if necessary.
  6. Make sure you’ve printed out photos and updated their baby book!
  7. Go on a family baby-baby-moon. Last time, Alex and I went to Bruges pre-baby. It involved a lot of sleep, chocolate, chips for two and beer for one. This time, our house renovation budget won’t really stretch to anywhere far, but I thought it would be fun to go to the beach somewhere in our new county and stay overnight
  8. Go swimming
  9. Take them to buy a present to give the baby (and also get one for her from the baby – do dolls work well?)
  10. Lett them chose their own adventures…and have a few days dedicated to whatever they want to do, even if this involves babyccinos, baking, multiple trips to the park and lots of ice lollies, all at the same time, but hey…

Did anyone make a similar list? If you’ve got any brilliant ideas, I’d love to know.

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19 Comments

  • Kate

    July 9, 2014 at 2:01 pm

    I was just thinking about this, my son is a bit younger so I’m not sure he gets as much out of some of the trips I’d like to do but I’m not sure how mobile I’ll be with two small babies so trying to do lots of “exciting” stuff this summer. We went to the science museum today and it was lovely, lots of school trips though so might be even better in school holidays. The zoo is on my list too and I’d love to go to the v&a childhood museum but it’s such a trek across London! Good luck with your list, I’m going to steal some and head to Brockwell park next week!

    1. gillian

      July 9, 2014 at 8:58 pm

      The mobile thing was partly what I was thinking too, as it’s hard enough with one isn’t it? And you forget about having a bigger pram and a baby that can’t get out and walk. The zoo! Of course. And the Childhood Museum sounds brilliant but it is the complete opposite end of London. Let me know what you get up to xx

  • Polly

    July 9, 2014 at 3:50 pm

    great list! our second was born at the end of the summer, so we spent that summer doing lots of fun things with number one… now with number four on the way and an already packed summer it’s about finding time to do the jobs I need to do before baby comes!

    1. gillian

      July 9, 2014 at 8:56 pm

      I guess you have much less time! Your three must be so excited. I loved your summer bucket list – will look for some tips on that too x

  • Shirley

    July 9, 2014 at 7:55 pm

    Not much mention of a bit of ‘you time’ in all this. Do you fancy a weeks house-shop, much cheaper and gives us both time for exploring different areas

    1. gillian

      July 9, 2014 at 8:54 pm

      Sounds good to me! Especially if I get the beach house…

  • fritha

    July 10, 2014 at 2:56 pm

    Oh I really need to take W to the kids cinema showings, she’s going to LOVE Frozen! x

    1. gillian

      July 17, 2014 at 12:39 pm

      I was worried E wouldn’t have the attention span up until now, but she sits through most films so think she’d love it. W’s a big Frozen fan, isn’t he? Suspect Alex won’t be 🙂 x

  • Jess @ Along Came Cherry

    July 10, 2014 at 8:17 pm

    I really wish I’d done more with Cherry before Tiger was born, I felt like total crap for most of my pregnancy though as the last couple of months was too tired to move! It wasn’t much fun, but then it was Winter so there wasn’t really much we could go out and do anyway. Great list! x

  • Laura

    July 10, 2014 at 11:45 pm

    This is a great little list and I think a baby-moon for all of you is a good idea as it’s the last few months there will only be the three of you. How exciting

    Laura x

  • Alison Perry

    July 11, 2014 at 7:02 pm

    Brilliant idea and something I bet lots of parents don’t think to do! I can heartily recommend the local pool (let us know if you want to meet us there one Sunday morning) and I actually think that not watching Frozen yet is a mum crime of the highest order 😉

    1. gillian

      July 17, 2014 at 12:25 pm

      I am such a slack mum! I know she’d love Frozen (plus we can add it to the Toy Story 2, Bugs Life and Cars rota). YES to pool – lets set something up then I have to do it x

  • Vicky

    July 13, 2014 at 7:48 pm

    That’s a great list – we took Ben out for loads of little outings and just generally spent a lot of time with him before Daisy arrived. Oh, and we made sure we bought him a little set of cars to give to him when she arrived which were ‘from her’. He was over the moon!

    1. gillian

      July 17, 2014 at 12:23 pm

      That sounds lovely – I think the spending time bit is really key (as to be honest E won’t really remember all that much at this age). Love the cars idea x

  • Alex Dixon

    July 16, 2014 at 12:53 pm

    Some great ideas there. I also did the presents thing, and swimming! I miss swimming, it’s just not the same with a baby.

    Inspired by your blog, I have written my own version. 🙂
    http://naartjietippex.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/things-to-do-before-your-next-baby.html

    1. gillian

      July 17, 2014 at 12:13 pm

      I love this, thank you so much! x

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