I realize this topic comes up often but I would really like to hear your experiences or words of wisdom 
When this next baby comes, our sons will be 3.5 and 2yrs old. I cannot think of anyone we know to come and watch them for us, that I would be comfortable having around while I'm in labor. I'm having a hard time justifying the cost of a doula, plus the fact that I probably won't want a stranger in the house either.
Our backup plan in case of emergency is to send them to the neighbors (pseudo grandparents) but we would REALLY like to keep them with us. Do you think it's okay to rely on them being good kids (really, they handle unexpected things extremely well) and possibly sleeping when I need DH the most?
What would you do or what have you done?
Last time DS's schedule was thrown off by DH being home for a couple days in a row while I laboured, I really wish he had just gone to work so I could have maintained more of a sense of normalcy around here for DS's sake. He ended up going to the neighbors just as I hit transition. I would have rather had him at home, but he fared very well with how things turned out.
DH's only suggestion is that we do call the midwife so he could focus more on the kids, but honestly - I don't want a midwife when I need support, I want him
But the kids could possibly want him too and add to the chaos when my main wish is to have everything very relaxed and peaceful after the birth.
Any insights?
When this next baby comes, our sons will be 3.5 and 2yrs old. I cannot think of anyone we know to come and watch them for us, that I would be comfortable having around while I'm in labor. I'm having a hard time justifying the cost of a doula, plus the fact that I probably won't want a stranger in the house either.
Our backup plan in case of emergency is to send them to the neighbors (pseudo grandparents) but we would REALLY like to keep them with us. Do you think it's okay to rely on them being good kids (really, they handle unexpected things extremely well) and possibly sleeping when I need DH the most?
What would you do or what have you done?
Last time DS's schedule was thrown off by DH being home for a couple days in a row while I laboured, I really wish he had just gone to work so I could have maintained more of a sense of normalcy around here for DS's sake. He ended up going to the neighbors just as I hit transition. I would have rather had him at home, but he fared very well with how things turned out.
DH's only suggestion is that we do call the midwife so he could focus more on the kids, but honestly - I don't want a midwife when I need support, I want him
But the kids could possibly want him too and add to the chaos when my main wish is to have everything very relaxed and peaceful after the birth.Any insights?
LOL! Backpacks filled with snacks and new toys/goodies. Something distracting for them. And then DONOT pull them out until you absolutely HAVE to, distribute slowly...
