Our children are the most precious thing my partner and I have. We love them more than anything. This is what our daily life with two young children, aged four and two, looks like.
Constant Motion, Constant Energy
Most days can be summed up with one word: movement.
I’m always amazed when we see a toddler sitting calmly in a parent’s arms for an hour or two. How is that possible? Our children simply don’t sit still. They are curious, active, and always ready to move.
Car rides longer than an hour are a real challenge. They get bored quickly and want to move, explore, and do something else. Sitting still just isn’t in their nature.
Winter Outside, Two Very Different Experiences
It’s winter now, with deep snow and cold weather.
With our four-year-old daughter, going outside is easy. She finds her own activities—running, jumping into snowbanks, throwing snow with a small shovel, building snow castles. She can stay outside for a long time and enjoys it fully.
With our two-year-old son, who has Down syndrome, it’s more complicated. He doesn’t walk independently yet, so he’s usually in the stroller. Sitting still for too long means he gets cold, and that limits how long we can stay outside. Because of that, we spend less time outdoors with him.
Still, when we are outside together, he’s happy. His sister loves pushing his stroller, and we talk about nature, animals, and everyday life. Walking is good for me too—it clears my head. When the children are sick, I try to find time to walk alone for a bit. Thankfully, my partner and I can usually arrange that.
Living Indoors with Active Children
Because it’s cold, we spend a lot of time indoors. That comes with its own challenges.
At home, there are many “no” areas—TVs, computers, wires, sockets. There are limits everywhere. In contrast, my son’s physiotherapy gym is a completely different world: lots of space, equipment, and freedom to explore. Almost everything is allowed. The same goes for my daughter at kindergarten.
At home, we balance calm activities—cartoons, books, drawing, resting, watching sports—with the need for physical movement. Movement is essential. I let my daughter run around the house, while her brother crawls after her. My partner built a small set of steps they can climb for exercise. They build forts from clothes, bring in stuffed animals, and later clean up together.
Our rooms are small and space is limited, but thankfully the children can spend time downstairs with their grandparents, especially our daughter. We eat meals there too, which helps a lot.
Learning to Move in Different Ways
Our son’s main “training” is supported walking and dancing. He uses everything to move—beds, sofas, chairs, tables, cupboards. When he needs to get somewhere faster, he crawls confidently.
Because I’m pregnant, I also need to take care of myself. I can’t constantly lift and carry him. Thankfully, he understands simple instructions now—when I ask him to come to the bed or sit down, he often does. He even helps a little with dressing.
Carrying him up and down the stairs is mostly my partner’s job, and I’m grateful for that.
Pregnancy and Energy
I’m deeply thankful to my body for handling pregnancy so well. I have no complaints. I sleep well, eat everything, and have energy. I use these last months to be fully present with the children before the newborn stage begins.
Soon, there will be round-the-clock breastfeeding again. I hope the older children will play together and give me moments of calm with the baby. They already play well together—though of course, there are fights and noise too.
Sibling Dynamics: Love, Frustration, and Learning
Sometimes my daughter wants to draw or do something quietly, and her brother comes and tears the paper or throws the markers. I try to react quickly, close the door, and give her space.
Our son sometimes pulls hair—mine or his sister’s. I immediately take his hand and show him how to touch gently. He’s learning.
When my daughter wants to play a specific game and her brother doesn’t understand yet, frustration builds quickly. There’s shouting, climbing on each other, chaos. I try to let them work things out on their own, but I step in when it becomes too much.
Help from Family and Moments to Breathe
My partner’s six-year-old nephew visits often. When he’s here, the children play downstairs with their grandparents. That time gives me space—to settle my son for a nap or simply breathe.
The hardest moments are when both children are sick. Then it feels like a full-time medical routine: steaming, nasal aspirators, saline, eye cleaning, diapers, potty training—hour after hour.
When my daughter is at kindergarten, I spend more one-on-one time with my son. But in the evenings, I need to make extra time for my daughter too. Kindergarten days often leave her more tired, emotional, and frustrated.
In some ways, it’s actually easier when everyone is at home. Mornings can unfold slowly, over two calm hours, without rushing or car logistics. No worrying about who drives where, or whether the car will start.
Still, kindergarten gives my daughter a lot—art projects, sports, outdoor activities, music, and singing. She loves it.
Music as a Daily Joy
One of my favorite things is music at home. When music plays, the children dance.
Today, while I practiced the piano, my son stood up holding the crib and bounced along happily. I couldn’t stop playing—he was too into it—and that helped me finish practicing. Both children feel rhythm naturally. They sing, clap, and play instruments.
My daughter has an incredible memory. She knows long songs by heart. My son sings in his own way—words are still few, but the melody is there.
We sang a lot during Christmas, and many of those songs are still part of our days now, even in February. Winter songs, silly songs, even a rap poem I made up myself—my daughter already knows it by heart. When I perform it, both children light up, and my son keeps the beat.
Bedtime: My Favorite Part of the Day
One of my favorite times is bedtime.
I read bedtime stories. Sometimes my daughter “reads” to her brother—she holds the book and tells the story from memory. We cuddle, hug, and slow down.
Our son still sleeps close to us. Our daughter recently moved to the top bunk above us. I sing them a lullaby.
Now, at over 30 weeks pregnant, I often think about what life with three children will be like. It will be intense, no doubt. Routine will be essential—for the children and for us. Predictability brings safety.
Everything will depend on how the baby sleeps. If needed, I can move to another room with the baby, and my partner can sleep next to our son. With all our children, nighttime care has always been my responsibility. I breastfeed, often half-asleep, and change diapers too.
I’ve done this for three years—every night, every one to three hours—and I plan to do the same with our third child. As long as I’m in bed for about ten hours, even broken sleep of six to seven hours is enough for me.
This is our life right now. Loud, exhausting, deeply meaningful—and full of love.
You are not alone.
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