Getting to Know My Daughter

How fun. I have a boy and girl 11 months apart. Thing 1 and Thing 2.
Little Frick and Frack, as my mother would say. My husband and I split kids quite often. He takes one and I take the other, so we can have one on on time. When I have my girl, it's all about doing each others nails and hair. She likes me to color with her and do crafts. She has much more patience for sitting still and doing quiet things than my tornado of a boy. We do silly stuff, like read the Avon catalogue front to back. She wants me to read to her constantly. We sometimes go sit at Sonic and get a slushy and just talk about silly stuff or sing along with the radio. It only costs $1 and makes her happy. She lieks when I turn music up loud and dance inthe living room with her or she tries to do workout dance videos with me.

Hi Sam I Am, Just be there, my daughter (Now Grown) was home with me when her brothers were in school, and we did everything together, she loved helping me around the house, she loved baking with me, we read together I colored with her. at the same time I gave her her independance as well to play on her own. Children just need to know we are there. everytime my daughter needed me I was there, she turned around there I was. She is now 22 every mom dream and she remembers our times together and she treasures them, and we still do a lot together. J.

I've been through this twice. I'd spend the time when my baby was napping to read my older child stories, play playdough together, paint, make muffins, etc.- getting to know the older one just naturally happens while doing things together.
Best wishes =o)

Honestly, I would really start off spending a lot of time on the floor with her, crawling around & playing. That way you'll be able to really tell what she likes & doesn't. See if you can get her out to a park every day, or maybe to some sort of Mommy & Me class. I'm sure it's hard to remember back when it was just you & baby boy, but you must have done fun stuff with just the 2 of you!

I remember feeling the way you are when my oldest son was removed from daycare because I was about to stay home after the birth of his sister. He felt like a bit of a stranger, and it felt awkward to be alone with him all day long. I didn't really know how to relate to him.

I don't have specific suggestions, but I always felt it was easier to get out of the house, so we spent a lot of time at parks with playgrounds.

When you are home, just ask her what she would like to do. I'm sure she will have plenty of ideas. Of course you won't be able to play with her all day, but I think it is great that you see and acknowledge that this year will be an important bonding time for the two of you.

Have fun making memories!