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Parenting can be a daunting experience, especially for the first-time parents. However, when it comes to the second child, most situations are “been there, done that” so they tend not to worry or panic as much. One can notice a lot of differences between how the first child and the second child are being brought up. Here are a few:
1. Photographs
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When it’s your first child, you couldn’t help but photograph every possible moment that you thought was significant. The first-time crawling, their laughter, first baby steps, you name it, it’s there. The same excitement doesn’t show up with your second child as you’ve seen it all before.
2. Hygiene
The first time around, you’d probably combed through the house, sterilizing and baby-proofing everything you could find. Lord knows what would have happened if your little one caught a bug because you were too lazy to make sure everything was clean. By the time the second baby arrives, you know what makes babies sick and you’re confident enough to take care of them. That is why a little bit of dust here and there doesn’t make you panicky.
3. Toys
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When it’s your first born, you’re likely to splurge on all the toys you can picture them playing with. That too without any financial hiccups. When it comes to your second born, you realize you do have a budget after all. You expect them to share or you find second-hand toys in thrift shops for the baby. At least they’re entertained, right?
4. Activities
With your first born, you want them to get a head start on a lot of things in life. This includes swimming, music lessons, martial arts, etc. You carefully plan out their schedules and put them in classes as soon as they’re old enough to join them. With your second born, you’re just happy if they don’t give you grief while taking care of them.
5. Breastfeeding
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With your first born, you tend to panic if you run out of breast milk, or you’ve missed a feeding. With your second born, you’re more likely to take it nonchalantly and take things as they come. You will begin to realize that missing a feeding once in a while couldn’t possibly be the end of the world.
6. Clothes
Hand-me-down clothes are a favorite in this situation. You’re likely to not buy as many clothes for your second born because you already have (what you consider) barely-used clothes of your first baby.
7. Falling Ill
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Frequent calls to the pediatrician aren’t uncommon with your first child as you’d never know what could possibly happen. When it comes to your second born, you already know the drill as you’ve been through the whole process before. You know what to give them, how to take care of them, and how long they’re going to be sick.
8. Television
You might have read a lot of parenting books before your first child which said that television is bad for the development of the baby. So you keep him/her from watching TV as much as possible. By the time the second child comes along, you will find television to be a welcome distraction for the baby. It’s not that you don’t care as much, you’re just fine with them staring at the moving pictures for a bit while you attend to your household chores.
9. School
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The first day of school can be magical, for the child as well as the parents. Hence, the parents make a big deal out of it when it comes to their first born, photographing them all the way to school. You’d have worried about how they’ll cope without you and miss your little one in no time. However, when it comes to your second child, you’re not as likely to turn it into a big event like before, because you know exactly what you and your child are in for.
There might be some of you out there who wouldn’t treat your children differently. And yet, there will be a lot of parents who do. There is nothing wrong with either way because everything depends entirely on individual situations. So, don’t beat yourself hollow if you aren’t sure what you are doing is right. The important thing is that they’ve been raised with equal love, care, and empathy to ensure their happiness. That’s what we all want for our kids, right?
