What It’s Like to Raise 2 Kids Under 2

On this installment of the podcast, Juancho and I talk about what it’s really like raising two kids. We answer all the questions that come with raising kids and keeping our mental health in check such as; how to parent two kids when Juancho’s not around, how we still spend quality time as a couple, and many more.

The highlight of our parenting journey…

Loving Unconditionally

Raising two kids under two years old can be an adventure filled with joy and challenges. But it is the unconditional love that we get from. Also, the unconditional love that we get to give them and to see them grow and flourish. (JP)

We also see good and bad things about them but it can make us reflect on how we can be better in being parents and being individuals in general.

Embracing the New Chapter

It is about embracing the unpredictable, building resilience, and letting ourselves evolve alongside the new chapter as parents. It’s a journey that often leads to growth in ways we never expected since on the other way around Juancho figures out a system and ways to be helpful even if he’s not at home.

He makes sure that everything else is taken care of, I can focus on taking care of the kids. So, it’s actually good either way. We found balance in our system. (JP)

How to handle anxiety from kids getting sick?

**1) Finding peace in God’s care**

Always remember that God loves our children more than we do and that their lives, their safety, and their health, their bodies are in His hand, also to pray over them.
It involves letting go and accepting that we can’t control every situation or shield our child from every hurt or sickness they might feel. Moreover, pray that as parents we won’t get sick as well because it’s harder for the family and for the kids if we are sick.

**2) Reinforcing Immune Function**

Try to look on the brighter side of the picture that it’s okay because it strengthens their immune system and the immune system gets strengthened the more that they’re exposed to sickness. Besides, **it’s part of their childhood because there are no kids that did not go through some level of sickness.** (JP)

**3) Engage with the right support circle**

The "right" circle refers to individuals who understand, encourage, and assist in our achieving goals or navigating challenges. These could be friends, family, mentors, colleagues, or advisors who offer helpful advice, empathy, and insight when needed.

How to spend quality time as a couple now?

It’s easy to assume that quality time has to mean hours together, but even small pockets of time—like having coffee together in the morning, sharing a walk, or taking 10 minutes just to catch up, running together and laughing together—can make a big difference. In short, find that one thing that you guys can do together that you both enjoy that could serve as quality time. (JP)

How to make eating time fun?

**1) Set Rules and Expectation**

Establishing explicit rules and expectations for their behavior really helps. These guidelines help the kids grasp what is and is not appropriate, while also giving structure and limits that help them feel secure and still gives them a bit more space to have fun.

**2) Create Habit**

Actively creating habits and routines to spend meaningful time together. It's about being intentional with the schedule, setting aside distractions, and making family time a priority. By doing this consistently, it can build stronger bonds, create shared memories, and maintain a closer connection with each other.

Significant Changes in Mental Health

In terms of inspiration, because according to the quote that I saw, “Children are a blessing because, when you feel like you can’t go on, they’re the ones who give you strength." There are times you feel tired, quitting, your anxiety comes in. Just remember that there’s people who rely on us and you have to keep going. (JT)

A lot of things change, but maybe one thing is that you can't control things. Like, you could plan your life away, plan things ahead, always figure things out, always approach logically. Everything is just about solving problems in your head. (JP)

And motherhood showed me that it is absolutely not true that you can go on in your life just trying to solve problems and logic your way through things. Because my mental health, my perspective on things really changed it. (JP)

Indeed, parenting is a journey of learning—about your child, and even more about ourselves. Raising 2 Kids is already a difficult journey but it is also rewarding because of love, unique bond, personal growth, and joyful chaos that can be experienced in raising 2 kids under 2.