What Would You Do for a 13 Month Old?

Second children often lag behind because they have an older one doing alot for them. It may not seem like it but the older one IS doing alot. It is perfectly normal. Good Luck.

It makes sense, yes. Since every child develops at his or her own pace. It does no good to compare older children to younger children, because one way my excel where the other didn't. It doesn't mean anything is wrong with your 13 month old, it just means that she's taking this life at her own pace. As long as she's meeting the dr's basic guidelines, I wouldn't worry about her.

If you're wanting to know what to do with your daughter to help her develop to her full potential, READ. Reading to your daughter daily(I'm sure you probably do) is so important. It's one of the best things that you can do to support her as her little brain develops. Enjoy her and who she is.

If i read this right your first child was ahead and since your second isn't you are worried. calm down and stop being so hard on yourself. I have 5 kids two of whom are my husbands and were not raised in anything close to the same environment as my kids and they are all different. we have two in kindergarten and where my sone went to preschool and had me teaching him all sorts of things at home he was way behind my step daughter who was very neglected, he has since caught up and is doing very well but it really amazed me, my daughter who is only a couple months older than my step son they are 4 is liek a little version of the big kids while my step son is a baby, won't dress himself won't do anything, and my oldest who is 7 only 16 months older than his brother, is great at math but has trouble reading the homework his brother brings home, it's just kids. chances are your second will turn out just fine and will catch up soon enough she's still very young.

I wouldnt worry about it too much. The second one is usually not as quick to pick up on things for several reasons. One being the oldest does things for her, IE talks, get toys, etc. Why should she do much if she has a maid to do it for her. Second you dont have as much time to spend on the second. You didnt have any interferences with the first one. It was just her, your husband and housework. Now you have a 5 y/o and all those things! Not to mention your husband is away now. Dont worry about it. It will all come with time.
S.

I understand how hard it is to NOT compare your two kids; I do it all the time and have had to really try to stop. My first knew all his ABC’s upper and lower case and the phonics sound to go with it by 16months – so when my daughter was 22 months and still mixed up Q and O I though it was all my fault for not spending as much time with her. Your little girl is still very young, chances are in another year you will start to see things in her that her older sister could not do at that age. My daughter could do a flip on the trampoline by 26 months, my son still can’t, and he is 4. They are all different and what your second one is lacking from having your undivided attention, she will MORE than make up for having an older sister to teach her things and to keep up with.

Hi S.! My girls are 5 and 13 months also!! I find myself comparing my littlest to my oldest all the time too. I also worry that I'm not helping her to learn and grow as much as I did with my oldest dd, but really its so hard and so different when you have the second one!! My baby girl is happy and healthy and I just keep reminding myself that they are individuals and grow at their own rates. What is or isn't your youngest doing that has you concerned? What did her doctor say at her 1 year check-up? If the doctor wasn't concerned, I wouldn't worry too much!

HTH!!

Anytime you need to talk or want to chat, e-mail me!!

A.
mom to Hannah Grace (01.12.02) & Lauren Elizabeth (01.10.06)