Wins, Woes, and Second Kids

It’s time for your parenting highs and lows of the week.

We also have a question from a reader who is feeling like she’s lost her superpowers after having her second child.

Give her an award

—Just Another 2022 Mom

Survived the first week of my newborn’s life, in an apartment with a toddler, with my partner in COVID quarantine out of the house.

Surprise!

—Evolving Mama

I am nine weeks postpartum with my second child, and the more I reflect on our most recent birth story, the more I am proud of my husband and me for our growth in flexibility. This little one came barreling into the world after an 80-minute labor, and my husband was the one to deliver our baby girl in our bedroom. We didn’t plan or prepare for a home birth (hello, new mattress!), but we were calm, cool, and collected. Parenthood is just a series of letting things go and pivoting, and boy, was this birth no exception!

Tale as old as time

—Mary-Kate

In regard to the Disney princess discussion, my 3-year-old daughter watched Beauty and the Beast for the first time recently. After the movie, she proclaimed, “When I grow up, I’m going to be like Belle!” I cautiously held my breath waiting for what she would say next. She continued, “AND WALK IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD! BY! MY! SELF!” Yeah, girl!

This week’s reader question

I have two daughters: a 16-week-old and a 26-month-old. When we had the first, I was very confident staying alone with her from the get-go; it was natural. After the second arrived, I cannot even imagine taking care of the two on my own. I completely freak out at the thought of it, and I feel like a wimp. How old does the old one have to be for this to feel a bit easier? Does this feeling ever go away? Am I going to feel like a superhero mom ever again?

—The Ex-Superhero