I was contacted recently by Munchkin to tell me about their new campaign “It;s the little things that are done differently with the second child”. The campaign was launched at the end of June 2011 and I have to admit when I read through the list of “20 things mums have admitted to doing differently with their second child” Although I have done some of them, there are a few I don’t agree with.
The information I was sent by Munchkin states “a new study has revealed 75 per cent of mums feel more relaxed with their second child, as a result are less likely to treat them with ‘kid gloves’“.
The poll was conducted by Claire Rayner who is a spokesperson for Munchkin. 3,000 mums who have two or more children were consulted in the poll. Claire Rayner said “This poll is very insightful and confirms that having two of more children means life becomes even more of a juggling act for mums. With the first, there is just one child to look after and mums can give their undivided care and attention”.
Dr Amanda Gummer who is a leading authority on child development, play and parenting with over 20 years of experience says “These findings suggest that it’s the little things that mum do that are different with their second child. With two, mums naturally start to work smarter because they have so much to get through each day. Generally when the second child comes along. mums have become much more confident in their parenting abilities and developed their own style”.
Here are the 20 things mums have admitted to doing differently with their second child:
- Leave to entertain themselves with toys while you get on with the housework
- Only change a nappy when necessary rather than after every feed
- Stopped making the baby their own food and blended what the family has
- Started weaning the baby onto food at four months rather than six
- Leave the baby cry for longer rather than rushing to see what is wrong
- More willing to accept second hand clothes
- Spend less money on toys and treats
- Only had the baby in their bedroom for the first few weeks rather than six
- Let them watch ‘older television’ at a younger age than their sibling
- Not as worried about safety and buying home safety products
- Happier to buy second hand safety products – gates, rails, monitors
- Leave them to manage their own food
- Sterilise bottles, toys and feeding equipment for less or no time at all
- Pick them up less when they hurt themselves
- Give them sweets or chocolate at an earlier age
- Trust them with a knife and fork at an earlier age
- Spend less money on safety products
- Go back to work sooner
- Expect them to develop quicker
- Put them into nursery earlier
What do you think? Do you agree with these points? Is there anything you would like to see on this list?