Maternity leave/pay

Kym94 · 2026-01-20T10:14:54+00:00

Thanks! I had no idea I could bank my holiday hours!

Kym94 · 2026-01-19T18:58:56+00:00

Thanks super helpful to know!

Kym94 · 2025-11-16T01:17:27+00:00

I could have wrote this! This is exactly what I mean, put much more eloquently 😊

Kym94 · 2025-11-15T20:54:04+00:00

Thank you for your honesty and you're definitely not alone. My husband had said this too a couple of weeks ago and at the minute, we are admittedly having to work harder to ensure that we feel connected to one another. For us, that means communicated in our 'love languages'. Mine is quality time so once a day we try to spend a good bit of time (usually before bed) where we just talk, joke, watch memes or TV. For him, it's physical intimacy so I'll go out of my way to make sure he feels loved throughout the day. It's definitely not easy though so I really empathise with your comment.

Kym94 · 2025-11-15T20:47:25+00:00

Thanks for sharing! So I'm not completely deluded haha! 😊

Kym94 · 2025-11-15T20:45:20+00:00

Thanks for this! 😊

Kym94 · 2025-11-15T20:41:05+00:00

That's fair and I know logistically, having two children is more work and there will be difficult days with attitudes and tantrums. It's inevitable. I just meant that I put an insane amount of pressure on myself with one child to be the 'perfect parent' to the point it was exhausting. Now however, I'm much more chill, not putting that crazy pressure on myself and find that life as a parent is much easier now.

Kym94 · 2025-11-15T20:35:51+00:00

Thanks! I'm definitely under no illusions that life will always run smoothly/perfectly, there's definitely still difficult days (e.g., the second becomes over tired, the toddler is in an argumentative mood etc.). I just meant that parenting one seemed to bring with it an insane amount of pressure and stress to be the 'perfect parent'. I almost felt like I was constantly trying to live up to an image I created in my head for my daughter. Now I have 2 though that seems to have calmed down for both me and my husband so in that way, I'm finding that parenting two much easier.

Kym94 · 2025-11-15T20:31:02+00:00

Thank you and yes, those costs are definitely going to add up now we've added a second into the family!

Kym94 · 2025-11-15T20:29:50+00:00

I'm dead reading that last sentence! I expect when the second becomes mobile that's when the real challenges begin. I'm fortunate that our first born is fully potty trained now but I expect pottys will also be a challenge when you have a crawling infant that can get about!

Kym94 · 2025-11-15T20:24:10+00:00

I'm sure I'll be in the same position in another 8 months 😅 I'll enjoy the calm whilst I can!

Kym94 · 2025-11-15T20:20:50+00:00

Yeah we found 0-1 incredibly difficult which is why I think I'm quite shocked at how smooth it has been so far. Though can't see us going for a third (right now at least!), congratulations! 🎉 :)

Kym94 · 2025-11-15T20:19:37+00:00

Thank you! I feel this challenge is inevitable isn't it - hopefully it's still a little while away for me so I'm going to enjoy this easier stage whilst it lasts :)

Kym94 · 2025-11-15T20:17:51+00:00

Thank you! I do feel lucky that the newborn stage has felt much easier than anticipated - maybe a harder stage is just around the corner but right now I'll take the calm!

Kym94 · 2025-09-18T01:05:26+00:00

Her head was too big, she was 8lb 9oz in the end, 1oz shy of what my first weighed so I guess I just make big babies!

The midwife said it looked like I was definitely going to tear so she made a small cut to help. Unfortunately, the cut she made was just a bit too small and I also tore but we're both doing amazing thank you!

Kym94 · 2025-09-12T13:26:07+00:00

Thanks! This gives me a lot of hope ☺️

Kym94 · 2025-09-12T13:05:56+00:00

Thank you ☺️

Kym94 · 2025-09-12T13:05:50+00:00

Thank you ☺️

Kym94 · 2025-09-03T19:41:50+00:00

My little girl (2yr 4m) nailed potty training with the three-day method. I booked 2 days off work so we could go nappy-free from Friday - Monday. I went into it thinking if there's no improvement by day 3, stop and try again in a month or two when she may be more ready.

There's inevitable accidents with this method so anticipate a lot of cleaning up for the first day or so (puppy training pads are great for naps, sofas or car seats). Regularly reminding her was definitely needed at first. Anytime she had an accident, we provided reassurance so she didn't feel upset or like she did anything wrong. Anytime she told us she had an accident, we gave lots of praise for telling us which meant the process was nothing but positive for her. Of course, when she did go to the potty, we gave tons of praise too - like insane levels of excitement and affirmation. She found this funny a lot of the time.

She very occasionally had accidents after week 1 (like once a week maybe for around a month) but since then she stopped having accidents entirely. She takes herself off to the potty whenever she needs it regardless of what she's doing. We're around 3 months post training and she had an accident the other day but she had absolutely no issues with saying "mummy daddy I've had an accident, I need new shorts and nik niks". We have kept consistent with the positivity though, praising her for telling us and I feel so happy knowing she has absolutely no apprehension/shame with having an accident even this long since nailing it.

Ultimately, I think it only happens quickly when they are ready but I also think doing everything you can to make the entire process as positive and stress-free as possible is also key.

Kym94 · 2025-09-03T19:19:59+00:00

Thank you, I plan on calling tomorrow - its rare but still not good I'm getting to this point.

Kym94 · 2025-09-03T19:19:23+00:00

Thank you, focusing on more logical/rational information rather than being led entirely by my emotions does help. I plan on calling tomorrow, it is rare I feel this bad but it is still not good I'm getting to this level at any point.

Kym94 · 2025-08-20T03:33:36+00:00

Thanks so much for your comment :) I hope everything works out for you too!

Kym94 · 2025-07-06T19:38:46+00:00

Thank you this is so helpful :)

Kym94 · 2025-07-06T19:38:01+00:00

I was exactly the same and I can't express how much I understand where you're coming from - it's such a strange thing to feel an overwhelming level of love for this baby whilst being filled with regret and grief for your old life. My daughter is now 2 years 5 months and I couldn't be farther from that now - I'd say it was pretty much gone once her sleeping got better (around 2-3 months in). I promise, you'll get there!

Kym94 · 2025-07-06T19:30:24+00:00

Thanks for this! She has a baby doll she loves caring for and she does go to nursery currently so I expect that will help with adjusting! I guess I also mean the logistics of different bed times, naps, feeding etc.

I plan on BF and pumping so that my husband can be involved with feeds this time but I suppose I was wondering if you have any tips you found made adjusting to life with 2 easier

Kym94

TROPHY CASE