From 1 to 2 Looking for some advice, I'm having anxiety going from 1 to 2 under 2! How was it having a newborn and…

My first 2 were exactly 2 years apart and it was actually not as bad as I thought it would be. My daughter LOVED her little brother. I just focused a lot on making sure she still got the attention that she needed. It got harder when they we 2 and 4. That's when the fighting started. This time they are 3 and 5 and I am more worried about my newest feeling left out from all of the craziness.

My first 2 were 20 months apart. The oldest was put in bed until he would behave appropriately starting at 14 months and had to stop crying to come out. I would go in to ask him if he was ready to follow rules in 30 sec to 5 min increments. And take him straight back if he broke the rule again shortly after getting out. My daughter I started this at 20 months...she is more stubborn but at 2 & 3.5 if I tell them to stop or they will go to their bed all I have to do is lean forward and they snap to. I do send them with a kiss and a favorite toy but no compromise on expected behavior. Occasionally they refuse to follow rules and go to sleep.

Just get tough with only 1 warning and after a few days life will get a lot easier. They always are given a choice; follow my specific rule or go to bed... mostly they follow rules, sometimes they pick bed. If they say bed they have to go and can't change their mind so they don't think they have the power in the situation. But tantrums have been greatly decreased because they have to go to their beds to have them and if they are loud, they have to have their door shut. After they have to apologise for the behavior and they get a hug and a kiss...it works really well for us.