| You know you should prepare for your second baby's | | | | activities.*Consider preschool. School can provide the |
| arrival. But how?The What to Expect books that | | | | big brother to a new |
| captivated you before now make your | | | | baby with a welcome world of his own, while offering |
| eyes glaze over. You don't need, or want, much new | | | | you time alone with your |
| gear. And the first baby taught | | | | second child. Start classes before the baby arrives so |
| you that children sabotage the best-laid | | | | your older child won't feel like |
| plans.However, taking a few steps now can help ease | | | | he's being shipped out because of his new |
| the transition from one child to | | | | sibling.*Upgrade your tote. Forget the sleek designer |
| two. Prepare yourself, your marriage and your | | | | diaper bag. Function |
| firstborn to welcome your second | | | | trumps form as the family grows. Get a bag with |
| baby with the following strategies.*Encourage | | | | pockets on the outside so you can |
| brotherly love. Talking to siblings about the new baby is | | | | grab the rattle and the juice box before the stoplight |
| | | | turns green.*Request a gift. Not for the baby. For you! |
| important. But some of the big sister and big brother | | | | First-time moms get big |
| books are negative, preparing | | | | showers. Women expecting the second child often |
| firstborns for jealousy, tantrums and strife. Be positive | | | | get ignored. Ask for a pretty |
| in introducing the new baby. | | | | bathrobe, a bracelet or something else that will fit |
| Discuss how you'll bathe, dress and diaper her | | | | despite those extra pounds.*Relax. Newborns sleep a |
| together.*Take a labor and delivery class. You think | | | | lot and don't steal siblings' toys. Chaos |
| you remember everything. | | | | doesn't really set in until the second child becomes |
| (How could a woman forget?) But I was amazed at | | | | mobile. Early on parents often |
| how much new information | | | | enjoy a honeymoon period. Prepare to savor those |
| surfaced in my second childbirth class - and how | | | | baby moments - they're even |
| much I had to brush up on just | | | | sweeter the second time around!(c) 2006 Jennifer |
| two years after the birth of my first.*Negotiate daddy | | | | Bingham Hull. Reprint rights granted as long as entire |
| care. Be specific about your husband's future role; | | | | article |
| consider what has and hasn't worked with your first | | | | is published, including resource box and its live |
| child. Have dad assume more | | | | links.Jennifer Bingham Hull is an award-winning author |
| duties with your firstborn now. It will be easier later if | | | | and mother of two. Her book, |
| he knows the ropes.*Purchase a double stroller. Your | | | | Beyond One: Growing a Family and Getting a Life, |
| toddler may be big enough to walk, | | | | looks at the |
| but he'll stage a sit-down strike when you stroll baby | | | | changes having the second child brings. Jennifer's |
| sister. Buy a double stroller if | | | | articles have appeared in The |
| your firstborn is under age 4. The front-to-back ones | | | | Wall Street Journal, Parenting, Working Mother and |
| are easier to maneuver | | | | many other publications. |
| through doors.*Get organized. One child is a | | | | For more tips, visit where you can |
| relationship. Two is a small business. | | | | contact her to receive this "Life Beyond One" column |
| Make sure you've got a good planner. PDAs like the | | | | regularly and sign up for her |
| Palm can program events to | | | | free newsletter. |
| repeat each week, which is great for scheduling kids' | | | | |