HHHK 458: Mothering Multiple Children, Boundaries, Priorities & the Fourth Trimester with Emma Maidment

·52 min·5 clips

Emma Maidment reveals why going from one child to two felt like having twenty kids overnight.

Steph Lowe hosts Emma Maidment, who recently welcomed her second child, baby Osha, and is navigating life with a toddler, River. Emma describes the jump from one to two children as significantly more challenging, noting that while she felt prepared for first-time motherhood, the dynamic shift with two was intense. She explains how the first few weeks postpartum required adjusting expectations, such as compromising on bed rest to include her toddler watching movies in bed. Emma emphasizes the importance of constant reassessment and adaptation in parenting, comparing it to a dance where needs evolve rapidly. She discusses practical solutions, like tag-teaming with her partner Tyce for nap times and meditation, to manage daily routines. The conversation delves into sleep challenges, with Emma arguing against fixating on eight hours of sleep and instead focusing on nutrition, movement, and nervous system regulation. She shares how she integrates fitness into family life, involving River in workouts and using kids' yoga videos. Emma also talks about teaching emotional regulation tools, like lion's breath and traffic light breathing games, to her toddler. She reflects on preparing River for the new baby but overlooking that he'd want a playmate, not just a blob. Emma advises on balancing involvement without making the baby the toddler's responsibility. She recounts lessons from her postpartum experience, such as prioritizing her partner's sleep to better support the family and transitioning River to his own room. The episode concludes with Emma stressing the need to quiet external noise and focus on what serves the individual family unit.

As heard by us

A practical look at second-time mothering, with sleep, a toddler, and a newborn all in the mix.

Emma Maidment's return keeps its focus on second-time motherhood, following life with a new baby, a toddler nearby, and the fourth trimester unfolding alongside family routines.

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Why you'd press play

If your morning routine is being shared between a toddler, a baby, and two interrupted sleepers, this one has useful company.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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